Longtime College Counseling Director to Matriculate to Part-Time Status

After more than three decades in Hamden Hall’s College Counseling Office, beloved administrator Fred Richter will relinquish his full-time status as director of the department opting instead for a two-year part-time post.

Stepping into his formidable shoes will be Math Department co-chair Kiki Carlson. Kiki has taught a full range of upper level math courses over the past 11 years at Hamden Hall and will officially transition to her new role July 1, 2018.

“I'm very grateful to Bob Izzo, who has given me his full support over the last decade and more, for allowing me to retire gradually. I'm happily looking forward to having time for other interests I value, and equally happy that I'll be able to assist with the transition,” said Fred, who has been a stalwart member of the Hamden Hall faculty since he joined the History Department in 1981.

When former Director of College Placement Cecil Beaupre retired in 1988, Fred assumed the role. Ironically, Fred moved the College Office to the second floor of the Dolven Admissions Center, where Cecil and his wife Mary Jane, who also worked at Hamden Hall, used to reside.

Fred noted that he is looking forward to working with Kiki and helping with her transition into her new role.

“I'm delighted that Kiki Carlson has agreed to become Hamden Hall’s next Director of College Counseling. A brilliant educator (and a superb writer), Kiki will make friends and influence important people in colleges and universities near and far from the outset. I can't imagine a better candidate for this position,” he said.

For Kiki, working with juniors and seniors is already a staple of her school day as is writing college recommendations.

“Coming from the Math Department, but more importantly, the faculty, grants me insight into the students' Hamden Hall experience. I am well acquainted with the challenging curriculum and the myriad of extracurriculars that each student takes on, and I continue to be impressed with their achievements,” said Kiki, who hopes to continue in the classroom with at least one class in order to “maintain my connection with the students.”

That connection will be key, she says, to helping students navigate the college selection process, which can be onerous for families.

“One of the biggest challenges is that there are more and more students vying for the same number of spots at each selective college.

Fortunately, Hamden Hall students are exceptionally well-prepared academically, and they all have choices. I look forward to working closely with students, from researching a broad list of schools to narrowing down what they are looking for to writing applications that reflect their passions and strengths to ultimately selecting a school at which they can thrive,” said Kiki.

Prior to coming to Hamden Hall in 2006, Kiki taught math at St. George’s School in Newport, RI. She is a graduate of The Spence School and she earned a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from Dartmouth College and a Master’s of Arts in mathematics education from Teachers College Columbia University.

Head of School Bob Izzo reflected on Fred’s longevity at Hamden Hall.

“Fred’s decision to reduce his work load, but still be available to us on a part-time basis for the next couple of years is just one example of his commitment to the school. Well into his fourth decade at Hamden Hall, Fred’s contributions to this institution cannot be overstated – he is a Hamden Hall legend,” he said.

Moreover, Bob noted that Hamden Hall students have truly benefited over the years from having three “enormously talented college counselors” in Fred, Tom Iampietro, and Sue Toole.

“The addition of Kiki to the college office staff will make an already strong college office team even stronger. She is a terrific teacher, possesses outstanding organizational and written communication skills, and is highly respected by both her colleagues and students,” maintained Bob.