Rhody Davis
Director of College Counseling (since 2003)

Education: B.A. English, UCLA; M.Ed. Counseling, University of Houston

Role in college counseling: I direct the counseling team that guides students and parents through the college search process. We help students research colleges, construct college lists, complete applications, and make final decisions. We also plan events, host college admission officers, and prepare important documents for students such as transcripts and the Profile for College Admission.

I spend a lot of my day listening and talking to people. I'm either in a meeting or on the phone!

Best part of job: I love the people I see every day--students, faculty, and my colleagues in the College Counseling Office. Helping students plan for the future feels like important work and makes for a highly rewarding--and entertaining--job. Also, Starbucks is across the street.

Most difficult part of the job: What holiday season?! October through December is grueling--emotions run high, deadlines loom large, and paperwork never ceases. My time-management skills get a real work-out.

Hobbies: Golf, yoga, reading, zen gardening.

Original career ambition: Movie producer.

Karen Woodhouse
Assistant Director of College Counseling (since 1997)

Education: B.S. Journalism, Northern Illinois University, minor in interdisciplinary physical education; M.Ed. in school counseling from Loyola University Chicago.

Role in college counseling: I counsel students and families throughout the college application process, educating them about the broad range of college options and encouraging them to focus on schools that are a good match for the student. I help students get started on their research, develop lists, make final decisions, and manage the stress of this process. I also write college recommendation letters that emphasize each student's strengths and unique qualities.

Best thing about college counseling: Watching teenagers develop greater self-awareness and confidence as they move through this process is extremely rewarding. I love getting to know the students and helping them transition to this next exciting phase of their lives. I'm also fortunate to have fantastic colleagues, within and outside of the College Counseling Office, who make Latin a great place to work.

The most difficult part of my job: Sensing the anxiety that the kids are feeling. Often, students feel like they are getting mixed messages about which schools are "best" for them and that adds to the pressure they are already experiencing.

Hobbies: swimming and hiking, hunting for Arts & Crafts period antiques, playing with the menagerie of dogs and cats in my family.

Original career ambition: Sports writer, veterinarian, teacher.

Natasha Jenkins
College Counseling Assistant (since 2008)