President’s Message
With eyes lifted: Celebrating 70 years of study abroad at Hollins
Dear Friends,
This year marks a remarkable milestone: 70 years of study abroad at Hollins University. As we reflect on this legacy, I am reminded of an unforgettable experience I had earlier this year鈥夆斺塲oining our J-Term course Crete: Yesterday, Today, and the Future, led by Professors Tina Salowey and Chris Richter.
Over two weeks, students explored the biodiversity, culture, and layered history of Crete鈥夆斺塧n island that has served for centuries as a crossroads of civilizations. Professors Salowey and Richter have led this journey since 1997, shaping generations of Hollins students through immersive global learning.
Standing with our students at the Athenian Acropolis and later on Philopappos Hill, where Professor Salowey read poetry in the shadow of the Parthenon, I found myself reflecting on what truly endures: art, storytelling, theatre, dance, and the connections we build across time and place. Among U.S. study abroad destinations, only 2% of students choose Greece, making Hollins鈥 program both rare and remarkable. It was truly a privilege to witness the lifelong impact of our faculty鈥檚 work and the growth I saw in our students in this special place.
Study abroad has long been a defining element of a Hollins education. While the first U.S. study abroad programs began in the 1920s, Hollins quickly emerged as a leader in global learning after World War II. Over the years, I鈥檝e heard alumnae/i share incredible stories鈥夆斺塮rom riding bikes through Paris in the 鈥60s and 鈥70s to navigating new cultures and discovering lifelong passions. Again and again, I hear the same refrain: 鈥淚t changed my life.鈥
Nationally, fewer than 10% of college graduates study abroad. At Hollins, 57% of the class of 2025 participated in study abroad.
Hollins鈥 numbers reflect that impact. Nationally, fewer than 10% of college graduates study abroad. At Hollins, 57% of the class of 2025 participated in study abroad. This isn鈥檛 incidental; it鈥檚 intentional. We believe global learning cultivates essential skills, like adaptability, cultural awareness, independence, and leadership, which our graduates carry with them into every corner of the world.
These experiences expand our students鈥 knowledge and understanding while also preparing them to engage, work, and lead globally. Learning to thrive abroad is invaluable, as learning how to successfully lead in multiple contexts matters now more than ever.
As someone who couldn鈥檛 afford to study abroad in college, I鈥檓 especially grateful to those who help ensure that our students today face fewer financial barriers to engaging in the world. Your support through the Hollins Fund and special gifts makes all the difference.
Looking ahead, our Transforming Learning, Transforming Lives: The Levavi Oculos Strategic Plan affirms our commitment to expanding both global and domestic study away opportunities. We want every Hollins student to be challenged, inspired, and changed by these experiences.
As we celebrate this 70-year milestone, I invite you to share your own study abroad memories to help inspire the next generation of global thinkers and leaders. The world is vast, rich with possibility. Let鈥檚 keep discovering it together.
Levavi Oculos,
Mary Dana Hinton
President