Meet the Staff: Alice Mann
By Suzanne Morrissey
With more than a decade of experience in independent schools—and a lifetime spent on boarding school campuses—Alice Mann brings a deep understanding of community, connection, and student growth to her role as Brewster’s Senior Associate Director of Admissions. The daughter of longtime faculty at Miss Porter’s School, Ms. Mann grew up immersed in the rhythms of campus life before working at both The Ethel Walker School and Westminster School in Connecticut.
Ms. Mann arrived at Brewster in 2018, drawn by what she describes as the school’s “palpable sense of pride and spirit” and the way students are encouraged to be fully themselves. She approaches admissions with an educator’s heart—meeting families where they are and showcasing the inclusive, student-centered community that defines Brewster.
Ms. Mann lives on campus with her partner, Eli Roxby, and the two can often be found outdoors with their young daughters, at a board-game-laden kitchen table, or elbow-deep in their latest project. We sat down with this Hamilton College alumna to learn more about her path, her philosophy, and what she loves most about welcoming new Bobcats.
Q. What’s one Brewster tradition or routine that you’ve grown especially fond of?
A. One tradition I have come to deeply appreciate at Brewster is MUD (Moving Up Day). Honestly, the first time I witnessed it, I didn’t fully understand the impact and significance of the event. Now, in my eighth year at Brewster and having seen multiple classes matriculate and graduate, it is an incredibly moving moment. When the seniors leave the gym and the students move up to fill their space, it is simultaneously sad, heartwarming, and exciting—a huge range of emotions. Those moments always get to me; it is very special, and I truly love it.
Q. You completed your master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University in May 2021. How is that shaping your work with students?
A. I have been drawn to working in both admissions and therapeutic settings throughout my career, often moving between the two. Admissions has turned out to be the perfect balance for me. I genuinely love getting to know people, learning about their stories, and helping them see how they could connect at Brewster by giving them a window into all that we do here (which is a lot!). My master’s in counseling has helped me become a more attentive and thoughtful admissions counselor—in the truest sense of the word.
Q. What’s something about the way Brewster helps students that you wish every parent knew?
A. One thing I wish all parents knew is that it’s okay for your child to make mistakes and it’s okay for them to feel sad: Both are important parts of growth and learning how to cope. At boarding school, mistakes and moments of sadness will inevitably happen, and when they do at Brewster, there will always be caring adults here to support your child along their journey. We are all on the same team—we want what is best for each individual, and we see our relationship with parents as a true partnership in their child’s growth.
Q. What questions come up most often when you meet new prospective students? And what about from the parents?
A. When it comes to questions I hear most often, they tend to differ a bit between students and parents. Students are usually curious about day-to-day life: “What is the dorm like? Will I have a roommate? What are the weekend activities?” Many are thinking about what it will feel like to live away from home for the first time and want a sense of routine, freedom, and fun.
Parents, on the other hand, are often focused on safety, support, and connection: “What is the cell phone policy? Will my child be known and cared for?” They want reassurance that their child will be safe, valued, and guided as they navigate a new environment.
Ultimately, both sets of questions reflect a desire to understand how life at boarding school will feel, and how students will thrive academically, socially, and personally in a structured yet flexible community.
Q. You’ve said Brewster’s sense of pride and spirit drew you in. What excites you most about introducing families to Brewster for the first time?
A. I am in admissions because I truly love getting to know people—learning who they are, what they care about, and why they’re considering a different school. Every person has a unique story and different reasons for walking through the admissions door at Brewster, and I see my job as understanding why they’re here and highlighting the elements of Brewster that will resonate with them. Ultimately, those are the things they’ll get most involved in if they join. I don’t so much love promoting Brewster (although I love this school) as I love getting to know people and showing how Brewster can support their interests and growth.
Q. How do you help nervous students feel more at ease during interviews or campus visits?
A. First of all, nerves are completely normal! For many students, this may be their first interview ever, and just the word “interview” can feel intimidating. I try to normalize those feelings from the start by letting families know that the interview is really just a casual conversation for me to get to know the student, learn about their interests, and help them better understand Brewster.
During the interview, I review what to expect and emphasize that it’s a casual conversation—they can ask questions anytime. When they do, I make a point to say, “Great question!” because I truly believe every question is a good one. This is their time to get the answers they need and see what life at Brewster could be like, while also judging whether they’d be happy here.
I wish interviews were always seen as a two-way process—both for us to get to know them and for them to get to know Brewster—but since that’s not always the case, my approach is to keep the conversation casual, find something the student is passionate about, and explore that topic a bit. Some of the stories I’ve heard over the years are truly impressive. I am in awe every day of how capable and remarkable our students are, and I feel privileged to work with families and get to know them through the admissions process.
Q. You and Eli love being outdoors—what’s your favorite local spot you recommend to new families exploring the Lakes Region?
A. Sewall Woods, right in our backyard! It’s just a mile from campus and offers beautiful, peaceful walking paths, single-track mountain biking trails, and phenomenal cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. It’s a hidden gem that most locals know about, but it always surprises me when people don’t.
If you’re looking for a lake view, the rails-to-trails walking path passes two lakes within just a mile, and at one point, you’ll have water on both sides of the trail. It’s absolutely stunning. Honestly, it’s the most beautiful rails-to-trails path I’ve ever experienced.
Q. What project are you working on right now that brings you joy outside of work?
A. Does organizing my house count? With young kids at home, our project bandwidth has definitely gotten smaller! Organizing is a constant adventure…especially as the seasons change. That being said, we’re currently focused on a fun play space for our kids: a lofted bed that looks like a treehouse, with a cozy, imaginative space underneath filled with books, stuffed animals, fairy lights, and more. That’s our current project and (will be) favorite little corner of the house!
Q. What’s a favorite success story of a student you admitted who truly flourished at Brewster?
A. Wow! Choosing just one favorite success story is tough…dare I say impossible? There are so many! Each student flourishes in their own way, whether it’s taking on leadership as a head tour guide, shining on stage in the Poetry Out Loud competition, earning a spot on our most elite basketball team, launching a new club or activity, or pursuing any number of other passions. That growth in confidence is what gets me every time. I feel privileged to witness so much development in such a short period of their lives. It’s heartwarming and exactly what keeps me in admissions.
Q. What is the best part of raising your kids on campus?
A. The best part of raising my kids on Brewster’s campus is truly the lifestyle and the people. We have the lake right at our fingertips and all the fun that comes with it, plus skiing and ice skating practically in our backyard with Abenaki and The Pop just down the street, and cross-country skiing and mountain biking right around the corner in Sewall Woods. Our families love to visit us because we live in a true destination town - it's genuinely fun to be here.
But as wonderful as all of that is, the real reason we stay is the people. The friends and community we’ve built here mean everything to us. We couldn’t ask for a better group—adults, students, other faculty kids, and local friends—for our children to grow up alongside. People here consistently model kindness and curiosity, two values our family holds close. We feel incredibly lucky to raise our kids in this environment, and we hope to call Brewster home for many years to come.
