Amanda Watson - Meet Our New Admissions Coordinator

Amanda Watson was born in China and came to the United States with her adoptive American parents. Following her parents' divorce, she moved with her mother to Walpole, New Hampshire, where she spent the rest of her childhood. Her keen interest in Theatre led her to the University of Vermont, where she graduated with a degree in Theatre and English. Following graduation, Amanda pursued her passion for community theatre at a local non-profit where she managed the technical aspects of performance.

After a brief stint over a holiday season at L.A. Burdick's, where Amanda became an expert in individually packaging, applying a variety of wax seals, and tying bows on boxes of exclusive handmade chocolates, she joined the United States Postal Service, first in Keene and then at Newport Post Office, both located in New Hampshire. Her flexibility to drive on the other side of the car in order to reach the mail boxes, reliability, and reverence for the journey each piece of mail takes suited the position well, as did her extraordinary ability to remember addresses. One of her favorite party tricks when meeting people, rather than introducing herself, is to recite their address to them; and this even happened when she met a MALS student!

Amanda is no stranger to Dartmouth as her Mom worked at the College and she has fond memories of sitting with her Grandmother on the Green at Commencement, either in the boiling heat or pouring rain and watching all the different academic degree hoods. She joined the MALS team in November 2023 in the role of Admissions Coordinator. Amanda brings a passion for diversity to the position and looks forward to meeting members of the MALS community. Judging from her outgoing personality, terrific sense of humor, and strong work ethic, she is always going to deliver what you need, perhaps even with a bow on it.

What does the MALS Admissions Coordinator do?

I'm Amanda Watson, and I am the MALS Admissions Coordinator. I make sure that anyone who wants to apply to the program has the information they need. I put information on the website, and I advertise the program, the deadlines, and the terms. I email applicants when they have questions. I set meetings up for current students and prospective students with Professor Pease and Wole. I manage the parts that help you get set up to come here. And then Colleen, the Registrar and Administrator, takes over once you're here. 

What would you like to say to the MALS community?

If you are an alumni, I would love to talk to you about your experience on the program so that we can update our website with new conversations. If you're a current student and you are interested in connecting with prospective students, we would love to have as many connections as possible. And if you're a prospective student, work on your applications and then submit them by the deadline!

What do you do in your free time?
I am still learning about free time right now because the Post Office did not allow me a lot of it. So, one of the hobbies I sort of picked up, but it's also a second job, is I work in a flower shop, on Main Street in Newport. I delivered the mail once there, and I was so nice to them that they said that I was welcome any time. I've been learning how to do flower arrangements and working there over busy periods.