Walking across the stage at graduation is usually the closing of one chapter and the beginning of something entirely new. For recent graduates, Kaya Equevilley and William Hagenlocher, that new chapter led them right back to Principia, not as students this time, but as admissions counselors, guiding others on their college application journey.
Both Equevilley and Hagenlocher describe their new roles as a way of giving back. “I obviously love Principia—it was a really great place for me and I had a lot of growth here,” Hagenlocher said. “Now my job is to tell people how cool Prin is and help them apply. It’s a really cool full-circle thing.”
Equevilley echoed the sentiment, calling her position “a privilege.” “Principia gave me a lot of opportunities as a student,” she said. “I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share that good with other people.”
“Every day is a little different,” Equevilley said, describing life as an admissions counselor. Much of their time is spent attending college fairs, connecting with prospective students, and reviewing applications. “We go through the application process with them, and we’re there holding their hand as they cross the finish line. Whether they choose Principia or not, we’re so happy to support them and cheer them on.”
Hagenlocher particularly enjoys one-on-one conversations with prospective students. “There are a lot of cool people out there who are excited about Prin,” he said. “Getting to know each applicant is really special.”
Both new counselors rely on their own college experiences when speaking with prospective students. Hagenlocher often highlights the unique opportunities that come with Principia’s small size— from playing rugby on a diverse team to performing in theater and dance productions. Equevilley encourages students who feel uncertain about their futures, reminding them she was once in the same boat. “I was able to learn so many things because Principia is a liberal arts college. After you graduate and you go into the workforce, because you have such a diverse perspective of education, it almost always puts you ahead of other people,” she said.
Both counselors see the fact that they recently graduated as an advantage. “Having the ability to say ‘Hey, I just graduated,’ takes a little bit of pressure off,” Hagenlocher explained. “People are like, oh, okay, very cool, you kind of know what it’s like.” Equevilley added that she still knows much about campus life, faculty, and staff, and this perspective gives her a fresh, real-time picture of campus life to share with prospective students.
Beyond the office, both counselors revealed a lighter side of themselves. Hagenlocher joked about his unusual talent, flossing most of his teeth without using floss picks, while Equevilley entertained with her “Ethel voice” — an alternate personality she invented during a six-day canoe trip at summer camp. She can even rap Ice Ice Baby in character.
As for favorite events while they were students, Hagenlocher fondly remembers Brooks Beach Bashes and Game of Homes competition, while Equevilley loved performing in Dance Production.
Though they may have traded in their student IDs for staff badges, they both see the journey from student to admissions counsellor as more than a job change. It’s a chance to pay forward the good they found at Principia to the next generation. “College is a big deal,” Equevilley said, “Being able to support people through that process is really cool, and I’m excited to do it more.”
