Archer is already preparing for another application season. This year, Julieta Girbal has taken on the role of assistant director of admissions. In this position, Girbal will help manage the admissions process, oversee student-led tours, co-run Discover Archer and supervise the Ambassador Leadership Team.
Prior to this role, Girbal worked in project management and design. During the first half of 2024, she helped her alma mater’s advancement team organize their fundraising gala, which she said sparked her interest in working in a school setting.
The Oracle sat down with Girbal to discuss her position as Assistant Director of Admissions, what she is looking forward to this year and what her Archer experience has been like so far.
What is your “coming to Archer” story?
Julieta Girbal [JG]: I was really excited when I learned about this position at Archer. While I was at my previous high school the first half of this year, I got to talk a lot with the [Archer] admissions team, and they were just so wonderful and great. It opened up my eyes to this side of being in education. I interviewed with Ms. Paik and Ms. Chen, and I absolutely loved the team and everyone that I would get to work with. I’m working as the backfill for Ms. Alcala, and she actually got to train me a little bit before she left, so that was really cool.
Why did you accept the position at Archer?
[JG]: I had been working briefly at a school and realized how this was a really great environment for me and how I loved interacting with students. At my age in high school, I was not as eloquent and confident as the girls that I got to meet … Even though I’m not formally a teacher, I really wanted to be part of this amazing school.
If you could describe your Archer experience so far in three words, what would they be?
[JG]: I would say really insightful because I’ve learned so much from our students and our faculty. Just like I mentioned over and over, I’m just super impressed. Up next, I would say really welcomed. I felt so incredibly welcomed during the staff and faculty’s August Institute right before the students started. And I think, overall, just really special. I don’t think it’s very common for this early on, a new hire such as myself, to be so engaged and excited. A lot of people start out when they are excited at a new job, but as I learn more and more, I’m even more happy and feel really fortunate for this opportunity.
What excites you about this year?
[JG]: Everything is new for me, so I’m really excited just to learn in depth about Archer, why it’s so special and why everyone loves it so much because I’m on the team that communicates all that. So, I’m on the fast track of learning all of that and getting to experience it … And most importantly, I’m so excited, because I get to oversee our Ambassador Leadership Team program. I’ve gone to meet the girls in our advisory and also in our leadership team programs, and they’re just so wonderful and so dedicated and are just a dream for someone in this type of role.
Miranda B. • Sep 12, 2024 at 10:58 am
Welcome, Ms. Girbal! We are so happy to have you!