Michelle Fernandes, Admission Counselor

My favorite things about Elms College have to be the people and the close-knit family environment.

Both were the initial reasons why Elms caught my eye as a prospective student, and why I stayed after graduation. Everyone at Elms knows who you are and will always make sure you're taken care of. Elms has brought out the best in me academically, spiritually, and socially.

Being orginally from Connecticut, it beings me great joy to be able to go back to many different high schools, including my own, and let students know about the opportunities that lie ahead of them at Elms. Since I've already mastered the left exit strategies of Interstate 84 and 95, it makes it easy to navigate through many different neighborhoods. Whether it be big cities or small towns, I truly enjoy bringing the Elms College message to Connecticut and surrounding areas.

Recruiting in the public schools in Springfield allows me to stay close to my alma mater and add to the outstanding local population at the Elms. As those students learn from my experiences at Elms, I in turn learn about students in Chicopee's neighboring cities. Being able to be a spokesperson - in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and public schools in Springfield - for the institution that is now my second home makes me feel very lucky, and a little spoiled!