Tom Manning

Profile

As an adult student who studied at three private colleges, a community college, and a public university, I can relate to the many realities of pursuing higher education at a not-so-traditional age!  I embarked on what turned out to be a scenic journey through higher education at the age of 31.  A first-generation college student, armed with very little academic, career, or financial guidance, and saddled with fear of failure going to college as such an “old” student, I found my college path fraught with uncertainties that I often managed through trial and error.  However, through the successes, distresses, challenges, and pinnacle moments, I gained a lot of valuable knowledge and wisdom in and beyond the classroom.  Those personal experiences, coupled with my passion for helping people, molded and reframed my life, ultimately leading me to an unexpected career in higher education.

Working in college settings for over seventeen years in the roles of counselor, academic advisor, career center director, and facilitator of hundreds of career and student success workshops, and now as director of Meredith’s Wings program has afforded me the opportunity to help thousands of students in starting, continuing, or restarting their college education.   As the Director of Wings, I find great joy in sharing what I have learned by helping Meredith’s nontraditional students navigate the waters of academic life more smoothly and confidently than I did.  I enjoy walking a few steps with each student along her journey to help her become confident in her abilities, assure her that she is not too “old” to be here, and connect her with supportive Wings students and alumnae who have also overcome significant challenges.  If I help her deal with uncertainties through minimal trial and error, help her find her strengths for meeting challenges, and help celebrate her successes, I know that every step of my own educational journey was worthwhile!