Get to Know Jessie Newell

On May 1, 2023, Tabor Academy welcomed Jessie Newell as the new Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement. Jessie brings with her nearly a decade of advancement experience, working most recently at Northeastern University as the Associate Director of Leadership Relations and Parent Giving. She began her career as a high school teacher before joining Northeastern as its Gift and Data Processor. Jessie holds a BA from Stonehill College and an MBA from Northeastern University. 

Get to know Jessie in this Q&A!
 

Q. What appeals to you about alumni and parent engagement? 

A. In my undergraduate education, I trained to be a high school history teacher. After a brief stint in various public school settings, I pivoted to the development field. A parallel between an educator and an advancement professional is the relationship-building aspect of the work. Facilitating and cultivating connections amongst members of the school community with families and alumni is a service I truly enjoy. In my former role, I worked predominantly with parents, so I am excited to be adding alumni to my plate.

Q. What drew you to Tabor? 

A. After several years at Northeastern, I was eager to take the next step in my career and was motivated to bring my perspective and knowledge from a large global institution to a small, intimate, community where I felt that I could establish a meaningful connection to my work. Tabor seemed like the perfect fit. 

I grew up on the South Shore and continue to spend my free time by the ocean with family and friends, so the views from Tabor’s campus and the rich maritime history at the school were just a bonus!

Q. In your short time on campus, what’s surprised you most about the School by the Sea?

A. The sense of community and belonging at Tabor Academy has blown me away. So far, my impression is that everyone here genuinely cares about one another, and they all have a deep connection to the school.  

Just a few hours into my first day, I attended Chapel. Not once throughout my tenure at Northeastern did I see the entire faculty and student body come together. It would have been hard enough to achieve virtually, but nearly impossible to orchestrate in person. In fact, to achieve such a feat, they would have had to convene at Fenway Park. So, it was an honor to witness such an occasion at Tabor and to learn that it occurs weekly during the academic year. I was deeply impressed by the students’ professionalism and the camaraderie that seemed to extend across class years.

Q. What opportunities do you see for the alumni and parent programs?

A. It’s already apparent to me that Tabor has a strong foundation for donor and volunteer engagement, so the building blocks are here to further develop and enhance existing alumni and parent programs.  

I’m eager to survey the Tabor alumni network to see where there may be gaps in our program offerings and identify how we can enrich events and communications and provide robust pathways for involvement.  

In the parent space, I’m looking forward to reinvigorating and elevating the Parent Advancement Council, which currently hosts Tabor’s most generous families who provide philanthropic support and service to the community. I envision that a family’s participation in the Parent Advancement Council will be an investment that is not unique to their student’s independent experience at Tabor and is also a commitment to securing opportunities for the next generation of Seawolves. My overall objective is to ensure that all parents feel connected to faculty, students, and staff at Tabor Academy.  

For alumni and families alike, my goal is to add opportunities for service that strategically align the individual’s personal and professional expertise and interests with the needs of the school. As we build up our volunteer cohorts, I am prepared to work with my colleagues and the community to break down barriers to involvement to ensure alumni and parent participation is representative of the student body and includes diverse and global perspectives.

Q. Do you have a plan for engaging young alumni? 

A. I’d like to continue to foster Tabor’s relationship with young alumni by adding touch points with this audience throughout the year to keep the school top of mind as they move forward in their education and beyond. My plan is to explore how we can expand regional programming to meet our young alumni where they’re at, in addition to continuing to provide opportunities to invite them back to campus. The goal is to create a long-lasting affinity to the School by the Sea.  

Q. Any last thoughts? 

A. Reach out to me if you have any feedback about your Tabor experience and let me know what programs you’d like to see moving forward. I’d be happy to have a conversation with you virtually or in person. Connect with me on LinkedIn, send me an email, or reach out at 508.291.8583. I look forward to getting to know some of you during Reunion Weekend!