This year, Trinity-Pawling’s students hail from 15 states and 16 countries. For some, it takes over 24 hours of international travel to go home or return to campus after a school break. Coordinating this extensive and international travel for students is not for the faint of heart. Faculty member, Michele Carlin, knows this firsthand. Carlin, a long-time member of Trinity-Pawling’s math department, has been a key player in student travel for the past 5 years.
“When you consider that some of the youngest of our boys come from the other side of the world—and realize their parents are entrusting us with their safety—it goes without saying that it is our responsibility to ensure safe and secure travel for them every time,” shared Carlin.
Carlin works closely with a local, reliable limousine service to coordinate airport transportation for each student traveling to and from campus. She keeps detailed spreadsheets with each student’s verified flight information, departure times, and pick-up/drop-off locations. “Until the date of departure or arrival, I manage any schedule changes and make sure the boys know too.” And that, surprisingly, is just the beginning!
“On the date of departure, I ensure the boys are on time and ready to go with repeated emails and REMIND messages,” she shared. “And of course, there’s many face-to-face reminders when I pass them in the halls of Dann and requests to their dorm parents for wake-up calls.” Returning flights can be even more complicated due to the timing of the customs processes and other airport delays. “Anna’s Airport Limousine Service is essential to this process,” she explained. “Not only do they provide our students with background checked drivers, well-maintained, inspected vehicles, and fully insured, door-to-door service, but they’re also very patient with the process and go above and beyond when getting our boys where they need to be. I couldn’t do it without them.”
Despite the many obstacles that can arise with travel—many of which cannot be planned for—Carlin makes the process as smooth and seamless as possible for each boy. During this year’s March Break, for instance, the first of 3 Nor’easters hit the East Coast. Over 60 students’ flights were changed within 48-hours. A bit chaotic, of course, but Carlin tackled each plan one-by-one, with the constant support of Josh Collins ’95, Dean of Students and Dutch Keel, Dean of Residential Life. Within 5 days, every boy’s trip was successfully re-booked and they were on their way home, safe and sound.
“The idea of safe, secure, and insured, guaranteed door-to-door travel for our boys, some as young as 14, is something any parent would hope for,” Carlin concluded. “This is my contribution to our community and I truly enjoy coordinating this aspect of student life on campus!”