PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — From opera performance to a career in technology support to her dream job with Brown University’s Pre-College programs, Olivia Mathis is driven by curiosity and human connection.
As a program adviser in the Division of Pre-College and Undergraduate Programs, Mathis serves as a first point of contact for students and families navigating Brown’s Pre-College experience.
Since joining the University in 2022, the Cranston, Rhode Island, native has helped hundreds of prospective students and their families move through every stage of the Pre-College process — from applications and course selection to preparing for campus life in Pre-College, which offers one- to six- week sessions designed to give high schoolers a sampling of academic and collegiate life.
For an extrovert from a family of natural connectors, where conversation, warmth and curiosity came easily, the role feels like a dream job, she said. Each year, Mathis meets students from around the world, learns about their interests and aspirations and helps them take early steps toward imagining what their futures might hold.
In this Q&A, Mathis reflects on her path from opera performance to technology support to Brown, the joy of supporting Pre-College students, and why her career at Brown has helped her build what she calls a “big life” — both on campus and beyond.
What drew you to this position — and to Brown?
I studied music performance at the University of Rhode Island and was training to become a professional opera singer. I performed with opera companies around Providence and throughout New England. During that time, a mentor told me, “Music is an amazing life, but it’s a hard one. You should only continue if you can’t imagine doing anything else.” That advice made me pause. I realized I loved music, but I could also imagine a lot of other paths for myself.
I’ve always been a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, so I started exploring what might come next. I joined the Apple Store at the Providence Place mall and spent eight years in tech support at the Genius Bar. What I loved most was connecting with people from all kinds of backgrounds. By the time I was ready for a new challenge, I knew I wanted to continue doing work that involved helping and connecting with others — that’s what drew me to Brown. The opportunity to work with Pre-College students and families from around the world, helping them navigate hundreds of academic opportunities, felt like a natural fit. It combined everything I enjoyed most — building relationships, solving problems and supporting people as they take their next steps.
What does your typical day look like?
As a program adviser, I like to say that we’re the question-answerers for Pre-College. We work with students and families throughout the entire process, from helping with applications to onboarding before students arrive on campus.
My favorite part is talking with students about their interests and helping them find courses that match their passions. With more than 300 courses available, many in subjects students haven't had the chance to explore in high school, it’s exciting to help them discover new possibilities and hear their enthusiasm for what’s ahead.
Once students are on campus, we continue to support them through in-person advising. Whether they’re considering a course change, feeling homesick or just have questions about campus life, we’re there to help. At the end of the day, being a resource for students and families is really what the job is all about.
