Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Edmonds.
Hi Rachael, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My name is Rachael. I am a Houston Native and an oil brat, which means my mom’s job has taken me all over the country and the world over the course of my life. I went to high school and college in Virginia, but my career in Higher Education has finally brought me back home to Houston! I serve as the Assistant Director of Admission for Savannah College of Art & Design, and my job allows me to travel throughout Houston helping students identify their own pathway to The University for Creative Careers! I have been working in higher education for about 6 years, and helping young adults see and realize their own vision for their future is my life’s calling. In addition to my 9-5, I have been enjoying relearning Houston through my adult eyes. I like to explore and tell others about the amazing restaurants, exciting events, and incredible communities in and around Houston through my social media platforms. I’m so excited to have made my way home to Houston!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey to this role as Assistant Director has not been easy, but I have learned so much along the way. From overseeing Student Leadership Development programs and supervising Student Orientation for universities, to substitute teaching, and College & Career Advising in middle and high schools, I have had a wide variety of experiences in Education, but I have certainly solidified my home in College Admissions.
With regard to my journey as a micro-influencer, I have started and stopped this endeavor numerous times. As life has ebbed and flowed over the years there are times when capturing, editing, and sharing content just isn’t a priority, and my career, family, friends, and myself have to come first. I’m excited to be able to seamlessly integrate both my career and my influencing into my lifestyle.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As the Assistant Director of Admission for SCAD, my territory includes Houston & Louisiana. I travel throughout the city of Houston and the state of Louisiana telling students about The University of Creative Careers. Students in Houston have impressed me with their varying interests and impressive artistic abilities. I have had the opportunity to meet students who ride horses in the Rodeo who are interested in SCAD’s Equestrian Studies program. And students who have already created their own fashion lines who want to study Fashion or Fashion Marketing and Management at SCAD. I’ve also met students who record, edit, and produce their own films and TV advertisements, who want to study TV & Film at SCAD. It brings me so much joy to be able to get to know the young creatives of Houston, share the opportunities at SCAD, and support their journey to SCAD in any way that I can.
What sets me apart from others is that I’m not only an educator, I’m also a creative. Because I have a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration, I have studied and understand what these students need in order to be successful in getting to and through college, but I also understand the challenges of being a creative in a world that doesn’t always value creativity. I originally wanted to go to college to study theater, but with a heavy push for more women in STEM, I wound up majoring in Biochemistry, a choice that set me back and destroyed my confidence for a long time because I wasn’t good at it. Because I’m not a scientist, I’m a creative. It’s important to me that my students know just how vital it is to follow your passion. Because money will come and go, but your peace lies in doing something that brings you joy every day. The money you earn will be more rewarding when you’re getting paid to do what comes naturally to you!
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
1. It took me 5.2 years to graduate college, and I changed my major 3 times. My hope is that the students I connect with don’t make that same mistake.
2. I’ve traveled to 22 countries in my lifetime and look forward to adding 2 new countries to the list in 2024!
3. Texas is 3rd highest state for enrollment at SCAD! Houstonians will feel right at home among other Texans at SCAD along with students from all 50 states and over 100 countries!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hihello.me/p/dd4ccb09-7d50-4899-98d0-a673600f0bee | https://hihello.me/p/efdcae0f-51ca-446a-80d7-75dcb6676838
- Instagram: @1ray_ofsunshine @rachaelfromscad
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-l-edmonds/
