Springfield College Alumnus Raises Career to New Heights
Alumnus Drew Broffman '19 recently started a new job at the High 5 Adventure Learning Center in Brattleboro, Vt.
By: Damon Markiewicz
For alumnus Drew Broffman ’19, it didn’t take long for him to build meaningful connections on campus as a Springfield College student. The relationships formed with his peers would strongly influence his undergraduate career, and set him up for a road map to professional success and fulfillment.
“Building important friendships started very quickly for me once I arrived on campus,” explained Broffman, who is originally from East Norwich, NY. “My first night of Pre-Camp, I met Director of East Campus and Outdoor Programs Ben Taylor ’99, G’16, and we had some great conversations about the College and the impact of East Campus. I was also able to meet student-leaders Max Tyler Perry ’14; Sean Nunan ’13, G’16; and Parker Ashton-Youngs ’15. Max invited me to go cliff jumping with him right after Pre-Camp and New Student Orientation was over, so I was able to find some great friendships my very first weekend at Springfield College.”
As Broffman would find out during his first few days at East Campus, Perry and Ashton-Youngs were involved with the Springfield College Outing Club, a group that explores the outdoors while building on their adventure education passion. It was very clear during Broffman’s first week at Springfield College that he had found his people.
“I will say in those first few days on campus, it really did set the tone for my time as a student,” explained Broffman. “Max (Perry) and Parker (Ashton-Youngs) thought I would be a great fit for the Outing Club’s executive board. Ben Taylor was the advisor for the club, so everything fell into place right away. It was a great example of how welcoming the campus is at Springfield College.”
Those first 72 hours really had a ripple effect on Broffman’s time at Springfield College that has continued into his professional career. Broffman recently started a new job at the High 5 Adventure Learning Center in Brattleboro, Vt., a career opportunity that allows him to utilize the skills he developed while attending classes at East Campus, and being a part of the East Campus maintenance staff.
“I am really excited about this new opportunity at High 5, and what I will be doing really ties into what I learned at East Campus,” explained Broffman. “At High 5, I am part of the challenge course systems team, and our focus is to build, inspect, and do emergency repair at a variety of sites. It’s an opportunity I was looking for since graduation, and it allows me to take advantage of the skills I learned at East Campus.”
During his time on Alden Street, Broffman found a home at East Campus. Between taking classes, and working for Taylor and Associate Director of East Campus and Outdoor Programs Angela Veatch, G’07, he was able to able to help take care of the East Campus property, facilitate groups on the ropes course, and learn valuable leadership skills during his experiences.
“I was at East Campus just about every day, and the knowledge I was able to gain was very valuable in so many ways,” explained Broffman. “Ben and Veatch have always been so supportive, and they were both individuals who I could go to when I would need advice. Not only did they teach me many skills tied into the outdoors, but I also took away a lot of leadership advice as well.”
Following graduation, Broffman had started a new job back on Long Island, but he wasn’t feeling satisfied with the experience. In need of some trustworthy advice, Broffman would use his East Campus connections to find a path that would help him feel more fulfilled.
“I was working at a zip line place on Long Island in the summer of 2019, and I wasn’t thrilled with how things were going,” explained Broffman. “In talking with Ben (Taylor), an opportunity presented itself where I could come back to East Campus and work as ropes director for the remainder of the summer at Camp Massasoit. It felt good to have this opportunity to follow what I really enjoyed doing on the ropes course.”
Following his summer at East Campus, Broffman would continue to sharpen his skills next working as a ropes access technician for Vertical Access LLC in Ithaca, N.Y. The more Broffman worked in roles that involved height and elevated structures, it became clearer to him the opportunities that excited him the most.
“All of the experiences I was receiving continued to push me to look for jobs where I could climb, and do climbing inspections,” added Broffman. “That’s why I am really appreciative of the opportunity at High 5. It’s really exciting to be a part of the High 5 team, and it’s a work place that has connections with Springfield College and East Campus. I feel like I have come full circle.”
One of the many links that Springfield College has with the High 5 Adventure Learning Center is the use of High 5’s Ubuntu Cards, a multi-functional deck of cards that encourages a group to interact, find connections, and have fun. The cards offer limitless reflection opportunities through metaphor, but they also offer just as many opportunities for group interaction and creative play. The word Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu term and philosophy. Nguni is a subset of the larger family of Bantu languages and peoples in the southern portion of Africa. The term means “humanity” and is frequently translated to “I am because we are.” Ubuntu highlights the mission of interconnectedness as a community.
“The Ubuntu Cards are a direct example of the connection between Springfield College and High 5, because as a student facilitator, you are using the cards with visiting groups and building that sense of togetherness,” explained Broffman.
In addition, the Springfield College partnership with High 5 was instrumental in helping construct the new climbing tower at East Campus, made possible by Katie ’75 and Geoff Bratton. Also through the leadership of Veatch, current Springfield College students from the Adventure Theory class and Challenge Course Facilitator class have the opportunity to attend the High 5 symposium every spring.
“It’s great to stay connected with Ben and Veatch and East Campus,” explained Broffman. “Everyone was so helpful to me as a student, and that has continued into my professional career.”
Broffman also continues to pay it forward, serving as a guest speaker to current students involved with the clubs and organizations he was involved with on campus. He recognizes that all of the co-curricular opportunities he took advantage of as a student impacted him as a person. Whether it was being a part of the YMCA club, or improving his leadership skills at Outdoor Pursuits, or at Leadership Summit, the time is always right for Broffman to share his experiences to help others in their journey.
“I was able to give a recent talk to the Springfield College Outing Club and I expressed how the club gave me the skills to be the person I am today,” explained Broffman. “Being a part of East Campus shaped my future, and being a part of the Springfield College Y-Club gave me my perspective on others. Little did I know back in 2014 that Springfield College would give me the future I wanted. I have so much appreciation for everyone who helped me along the way.”
