By Aanika Sethi and Mary Mason Ingold 

Photo credit: Aanika Sethi.

Kim Ball, the Upper School Associate Director of Student Life, had an unlikely path to Collegiate. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a major in business and finance but was not sure what the next step in her career would be. She worked in a marketing role for two years before deciding that it was not the right fit. Contrary to what she had studied, she began working as an academic advisor, and then came to Collegiate as a college counselor. After working in college counseling for nearly 17 years, she transitioned into working as the Associate Director of Student Life last year. She stated that although she loved helping students get into college, she “wanted to become more involved with student leadership and their success.” With her new position, she has become fully immersed in student affairs, just as she had wished for.

At the moment, she is deep into the Pageant world, mostly organizing details, costumes, props, and chaperones to make sure that Collegiate’s longest lasting tradition runs smoothly. The two dates of Pageant are December 10 and 11 at All Saints Episcopal Church on River Road, and practices began on November 18. There are many moving pieces to the performances, which require the help of other Collegiate staff, such as the custodial, physical plant, security and transportation staffs, who Ball said should be more recognized and appreciated for their work. Along with Pageant, she has been working on AP exam ordering and club responsibilities. With over 50 clubs in the Upper School, Ball certainly has her hands full. 

We asked Ball what her most memorable moment in her Collegiate career was, and she said that it was “connecting with alums.” Recently, Reilly Klein (‘13) came back to the Collegiate campus to talk about Veterans Day, and for Ball, it was a special moment to see her previous college counseling advisee. 

From her college counseling days to working with student life, Ball has a passion for supporting students. From guiding them through the college process to collaborating with club leaders, Ball hopes to help students succeed in all their endeavors, in as many ways that she can.