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 — joining 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 — an 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’ program both rare and remarkable. It was truly a privilege to witness the lifelong impact of our faculty’s 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’ve heard alumnae/i share incredible stories — from riding bikes through Paris in the ’60s and ’70s to navigating new cultures and discovering lifelong passions. Again and again, I hear the same refrain: “It changed my life.”
Nationally, fewer than 10% of college graduates study abroad. At Hollins, 57% of the class of 2025 participated in study abroad.
Hollins’ 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’t incidental; it’s 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’ 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’t afford to study abroad in college, I’m 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’s keep discovering it together.
Levavi Oculos,
Mary Dana Hinton
President