A little over a year ago I ran across an article about college admissions titled: Sticker Shock. The article hit a nerve that apparently tickled my funny bone, too, because, as I read it, I found myself laughing out loud as the author, Dr. Nancy Berk, referred to university-branded window-clings as "...the last and most expensive decal on the journey of parenthood."
In a previous life, I had been the person responsible for making sure parents of newly enrolled students were mailed university-branded window clings as part of the marketing strategy at the university where I worked. Nancy's reference to the stickers summed up the parent's perspective on the college-bound process in a way that was funny, truthful, ironic, endearing AND a terrific fit the Smart College Visit blog.
Naturally, I called her and asked permission to repost her article. She said "yes" and neither of us had any idea that phone call was the beginning of a collaboration that would not only make me laugh out loud on a regular basis, but would also bring all kinds of comfort, encouragement, and humor to SCV readers (and listeners) on a regular basis.
Nancy and I began our collaboration virtually with her in Pittsburgh, PA, and me in Blacksburg, VA. Then, in November 2011, a year and two months after our first contact, we finally got to meet in person, in Chicago, at the American Marketing Association 2011 Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education where we were both presenters (Nancy was a keynote speaker and I taught a tutorial on blogging and community).
The collaboration continues fueled the opportunity to talk face-to-face and brainstorm in real time. It was real nice.
Related to this:
- Nancy Berk Explores College Tuition Sticker Shock
- College Mom Minute audio podcast on Smart College Visit
- Dr. Nancy Berk releases new parent survival guide: COLLEGE BOUND AND GAGGED
Nancy is also a regular on the Smart College Visit weekly Twitter chat: #CampusChat. Join us on Wednesdays at 9PM, Eastern. Follow Nancy on Twitter @nancyberk and follow me @zkellyq and @collegevisit.
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