Elizabeth “Liz” Thompson ’08

Any high school junior or senior can attest to the whirlwind process of submitting college applications. I must have applied to 11 or 12 schools and Hood’s legacy of educating women stood out from the very start. A really impactful moment for me was when an admissions officer contacted me to talk about my personal essay. We spoke for over an hour! I cannot recall what my essay was about, but I remember that admissions officer’s enthusiasm for what I had to say. There were many facets of Hood that I already loved, and this kind of personal outreach only solidified my choice.

I love books! But seriously, literary studies are such an enriching educational experience. I came from an International Baccalaureate program in high school, and the English courses were amazing. I was always an avid reader and loved to write and the English professors at Hood really challenged and encouraged students to become better scholars. I was a Tischer Scholar and completed a departmental honors paper in English-- it was one of the most memorable moments of my academic career. No matter the professional outcome, I just knew that I had to lean into my passion and talent in that field of study.

This is a tough question, but only because there were so many inspiring figures during my time at Hood. Dean Olivia White comes to mind first, and her legacy with the College is unmatched. She made me feel like Hood was home from the moment I stepped foot on campus. Dr. Kathleen Bands in the Graduate School, Nancy Gillece ’81 in Institutional Advancement, Dr. Carol Kolmerten, who was my departmental honors advisor, and her impeccable research on Toni Morrison and William Faulkner. Dr. Karen Hoffman in the philosophy department who kept late night office hours, and whose Ethics course I am now enrolled in (again!) as a graduate student. My Big Sib Sharia Barksdale ‘06 is someone I consider one of my greatest friends to this day! The list could really go on forever, and that is the beauty of my experience at Hood - everyone did their part to make all students feel like they were an essential part of the community.

The things I cherished the most about Hood are still mostly there, but as someone who spent a lot of time in the library the new Beneficial-Hodson Library and Learning Commons space is just amazing. Also, the Communication Arts Video Production Studio is incredibly impressive. I’m so happy to see the college grow in these ways to meet the needs of students today.

Joining the program in Fall 2020, the biggest difference is that everything is virtual! I never anticipated doing an online degree program, but Hood has made the transition as smooth as ever for working professionals who want to have an engaging doctoral experience. The similarities are in the care and consideration of the program staff, the rigor of the course content, and the many familiar faces of instructors and leaders in the Hood community.

For me, Hood is Home means that it is a place I can count on for support and a source of inspiration for my dreams and ambitions. I continue to make such meaningful memories and relationships - Hood is the place where I was safe to explore my interests and plan for a bright future. Because of what Hood has given to me, I give back to the annual fund, volunteer my time, and encourage prospective students to attend. My niece is now an undergraduate at Hood, class of 2023, and it makes me so proud to welcome her into this extraordinary community.