Molly Boyle

What is your current role at Barrett, and what are your primary responsibilities?

I work in the Recruiting and Admissions office (formally known as “Enrollment Services”) as a recruiter! My primary responsibility is to connect with prospective students and share all the things that make Barrett so great! Depending on the time of year, I might be traveling to various high schools in the valley to meet with high school students, tabling at college fairs, hosting visitors on Sun Devil Days, or giving presentations about Barrett to those who come for a tour. Besides working with prospective students, my other primary responsibility is to oversee the Honors Devils on the Tempe campus. This group consists of 30-40 amazing students who volunteer their time to give tours of the Barrett complex. 

Can you share a significant accomplishment or project you've worked on during your time here?

One of the things I’m most excited about is actually a current project I’ve been working on. Back in the spring, Dean Williams sent a request to the college for project proposals revolving around Barrett’s Mission and Values. I proposed the creation of “Barrett Value Buttons” and was lucky to be selected to move forward! These buttons (see picture) will be used primarily in our recruiting efforts as communication and conversation-starting tools. Our tour guides will be wearing them and incorporating them into their tours as a way to promote Barrett’s values. I figured our tour guides were already embodying Barrett’s values, so wouldn’t it be cool for them to incorporate the values into their conversations with prospective students and families? I’d also like to provide buttons to any Barrett staff and faculty who are interested!

What do you enjoy most about your job and working for Barrett?

It’s hard to pick - I really enjoy all aspects of my job! If I had to pick, I would say my favorite part is witnessing the moment when a “prospective” student transitions into a “future” student. There’s a moment, sometimes during my presentations, sometimes during their tour, sometimes after their visit is over, when you can see the excitement and awe so clearly on their face. I love to see, in real time, that Barrett/ASU is the place for them! I feel really fortunate to be even a small part of a person’s decision to come to ASU and Barrett. 

What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of work?

I love reading, baking, watching sports, listening to D&D podcasts, and exploring the beauty of Arizona. I recently visited the Boyce Thompson Arboretum for the first time and will definitely be going back when the weather is nice again. I also want to up my farmer’s market game, so if any of my colleagues have a recommendation for a good one to go to, please let me know!

Do you have a favorite book, podcast, or movie that has influenced your perspective or inspired you recently?

One of my favorite movies that continues to inspire me is Practical Magic. I find it so charming! Not only is it funny and aesthetically pleasing, it has some really poignant messages. It reminds me to embrace all the magical moments in life, and to create my own magical moments if I can’t seem to find any. It’s also about the strength of relationships - between sisters, family, and community. When people come together to love and support one another, powerful things happen!

Is there a specific quote or mantra that resonates with you and guides your approach to life and work?

There’s a quote by James Baldwin (from Nothing Personal) that I have hanging in my office. It definitely guides my approach to both life and work. It’s a bit long, but worth reading: 

“For nothing is fixed, forever and forever and forever, it is not fixed; the earth is always shifting, the light is always changing, the sea does not cease to grind down rock. Generations do not cease to be born, and we are responsible to them because we are the only witnesses they have. The sea rises, the light fails, lovers cling to each other, and children cling to us. The moment we cease to hold each other, the moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out.”