ESD Revives Eagles College Tour Program to Expand College Exploration Opportunities
August 7, 2026
At The Episcopal School of Dallas, preparing students for college is about more than guiding them through the admissions process; it's about helping them discover the environments where they will flourish. As part of the Eagles College Tour Program, students traveled across Texas to experience life on four distinctly different college campuses, visiting Baylor University, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and St. Edward's University. Along the way, they explored residence halls and academic buildings, connected with admissions representatives, and gained a firsthand look at the unique culture and opportunities each institution offers.
The tour, coordinated through ESD's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, reflects the school's commitment to preparing students for lives of purpose while complementing the individualized work of ESD's College Guidance Office. By introducing students to a variety of campus environments early in their college application journey, the experience encourages thoughtful exploration as students begin considering the schools that best align with their interests, strengths, and aspirations.
Originally established through ESD's Latinos Unidos alliance group and open to all interested Upper School students, the program was offered twice before the pandemic before being placed on pause. This summer marked its return under the leadership of Director of Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Liz Goatley, with the goal of making the college tour an annual tradition once again.
Traveling as a small group created opportunities that extended well beyond the campus tours themselves. Students shared observations with one another after each visit, asked thoughtful questions throughout the week, and reflected together on what they valued most in a college experience. Those conversations helped students compare different campus settings while envisioning where they might thrive in the future.
Although the Texas summer heat meant days of more than 13,000 steps, the enthusiasm never faded. One memorable stop included a visit to Baylor's live bear habitat, while another highlight came in Austin, where many students found themselves drawn to the energy and atmosphere surrounding UT Austin.
The experience was made possible through the leadership and support of Dr. Goatley and a team of faculty leaders, including Upper School Diversity Assistant and Senior Class Dean Marcela Garcini, Middle School Chaplain Father Matt Stroud, and Early Childhood Music Teacher Monica Awbrey. Together, they guided students through a week of exploration, conversation, and discovery.
As ESD continues to empower students to pursue lives of intellectual discovery and purpose, experiences like the Eagles College Tour provide meaningful opportunities to explore future possibilities—one campus, one conversation, and one step at a time.
