J. Andrew W.'s Linkedin Analytics

Student life found its way into my story early, first as a boarding school student and now as a professional dedicated to building student-centered communities where young people thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. What began with peer leadership and residential connection evolved into a career centered around belonging, engagement, and intentional mentorship. Ed.D. candidate in Organizational Leadership with research focused on experiential education and student engagement in independent schools. The current dissertation, "The Second Enrollment: How Student Life and Residential Programming Influence Re-Enrollment Decisions in Boarding Schools," explores how culture and connection outside the classroom shape long-term student success and institutional retention. Graduate capstone, "Bridging Cultures and Futures: Experiential Education and Leadership Development in U.S. College Readiness Programs for International Students", was developed through a fellowship with Brewster Academy’s Royal Thai Scholars Program and continues to inform practice and perspective. Currently serves as Chairman of Student Activities and Weekend Programming and Residential Life Coordinator at Tallulah Falls School. Experience includes leadership in international programs, residential life, student engagement, and enrollment management, with a particular focus on supporting students with learning differences. Founder of Beyond the Bell, a consulting and content platform that helps independent schools design student engagement strategies, strengthen enrollment alignment, and cultivate inclusive, mission-driven cultures. Personally dedicated to continuous reflection and growth through hiking, reading, journaling, and transcendental meditation. Believes in schools where student life is not an afterthought but the foundation for leadership, belonging, and meaningful learning.