Mrs. Ullery on College Counseling, Tech Leadership, and Building Community
In Episode 4 of Season Two of The Late Start Show, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with Mrs. Ullery, Assistant Director of College Counseling, sophomore class dean, former Director of IT, and longtime librarian at University School, to trace a career defined by curiosity, care, and community-building.
The conversation spans her Summit County roots with a twin and two teacher parents; a Spanish major at Miami University that led to study abroad in Mexico and a first teaching post in Wichita; a return to Ohio for Cleveland Heights classrooms and a Kent State master’s in instructional technology and library media; and her 2004 arrival at US as librarian before stepping in as Director of IT to help lead the school’s COVID-19 pivot. She spotlights book club lunches, advising one of the first all-boys One Love chapters, the sponsor system, sophomore-year growth, archival traditions like the first- and last-day handshake, and her WKYC digital-detox message, along with thoughtful guidance on AI and learning to “give up a little control” to spark authentic dialogue. Closing with gratitude (from her Thanksgiving assembly) and a clear “why,” Mrs. Ullery says her purpose is simple: love people well, take care of them, and make sure they know they matter.
Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.
Mrs. Ullery serves as the Assistant Director of College Counseling, Sophomore Class Dean, and Archivist at University School. She joined the school in 2004, having previously held roles as Director of IT and longtime librarian. Mrs. Ullery earned her B.S. from Miami University, where she majored in Spanish and studied abroad in Mexico, and later received her M.Ed. from Kent State University. Her career includes teaching in Wichita and Cleveland Heights before her arrival at University School, where she also helped lead the school's COVID-19 pivot as Director of IT.