Lisa Raidel Devlin ’02 Shares Worldly View with High School Students

Even though Westminster College is tucked in small, rural New Wilmington, PA, graduates leave with a sense of worldliness after study abroad experiences or classes that challenge them to think on a global scale. Alumna Lisa Raidel Devlin '02 is one of the many faces to leave Westminster with that feeling.

Devlin, a French and theatre major during her years at Westminster, is now teaching French to high-school students in Youngstown, OH, and directs several plays and musicals throughout the year.

“Each day, I have the pleasure of teaching over 100 9-12th graders to speak and appreciate the French language,” she said. “I use my time with them to open their eyes to the world around them, hoping to inspire future international business people, diplomats, photographers or interpreters.”

Over the summer, Devlin spends time working with students at Broadway Kids camp, a program created for kids ages 3-13 to learn songs, create sets and costumes and perform choreographed works in a performance at the end of the camp. Every other summer, she also leads a group of students on trips abroad.

“I have been lucky to travel the world, both with my students and my family,” she said. “I take the group I created, the Global Rovers, to Europe every other year, and other locations in the off year to explore new cultures and expand their cultural understanding.”

Westminster opened Devlin to a world of opportunities and friendships through band, theatre, Greek life and the semester she spent abroad. She uses the abilities she gained on campus and abroad every day to solve problems in the classroom and adapt to her ever-changing environment.

“Westminster wants each student to have a success story,” Devlin said. “The professors and programs always expect the best, which prepares students for the expectations of real life, and causes you to expect nothing less from yourself.”

Written by Megan Simpson

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