William P. - Brentwood, TN
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (NLT)
While serving as Associate Head of School, the College Counseling Office was adorned, both literally and figuratively, with this reminder from Jeremiah of God’s assurance for His people. More specifically, the College Counseling Team, led by Director of College Counseling, Brian Beckley, applied this scripture to their daily work with our students. Brian reassured nervous students that they were cared for deeply by a God that has plans for their future, and who has uniquely equipped them for the journey. Brian embraced his vocational purpose in life for mentoring these students through the often stressful and overwhelming college search process.
With over 3,500 choices to navigate, finding a college can be overwhelming and stressful. Finding the best college for any student increases their chances for academic and social success. The process for finding a student’s best fit choice is difficult and requires great skill. Having held differing roles of responsibility for this process over a 35-year career, I possess a unique and deep appreciation for all that talented and devoted college counselors do. Nevertheless, it was my experience navigating the college search as a parent of college-bound twins, with different interests and attributes, that elevated my admiration for Brian into the stratosphere of our profession.
Care, encouragement, accountability, precision, strategy, and relationship capital are all elements of the investment Brian and his team made in my twins and their journey through this important, and vulnerable, time in their young lives. Everything he offered in counsel was delivered professionally, with an expertise and humility, for the role he was playing in God’s greater story. This guiding scripture from Jeremiah seemed to serve as a beacon for the relationships he formed, and for how he conducted their counseling of all students. Brian knows the college landscape, has deep professional relationships built on mutual respect with college admission deans, and he takes the time to know each of his counselees while guiding them through a curriculum that is intentional, methodical, and inspiring.
Brian is truly among the most talented and accomplished professionals with whom I have ever encountered. Beyond his commitment to mentoring students in a Christ-centered college search process, and his many years perfecting a craft informed by experience on both sides of the equation (secondary counseling and college admissions), he has a deep passion for speaking into the lives of young people in ways that harken back to the impact made by a former youth minister or camp counselor.
For any parent, the blessing of a seasoned expert that is capable and willing to care for your child in ways that reinforce your own family values is invaluable. I am grateful that this was the experience for our family, and the results have exceeded my expectations. Both twins found their “right-fit” college and are flourishing in college..
The twins are their own person, and they are attending very different schools in different states, and with different types of pedagogy and opportunities. Both are happy and growing in ways I never imagined. Jeremiah 29:11 could not be more true for our family, and it is in large part due to the intentional focus that Brian Beckley submitted to in following the spirit of this scripture. It is with my utmost confidence and enthusiasm that I endorse Brian for your consideration in every way. He is a winner with God-given abilities he seeks to share with others through the venue of education!
