Mr. Byrnes with the alumni on the Board of Trustees, including Audrey.
For many members of the Wooster community, the core values of being gentle, generous, truthful, kind and brave are more than just words. They are guiding principles that shape how students learn throughout their time at Wooster and how they progress after graduating. For Audrey Merchan from the Class of 2015, these values have become a foundational part of shaping both her personal and professional life.
“Wooster's core values are a part of who I am and strive to be every day,” said Audrey.
After graduating from Wooster, she attended the University of Connecticut, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Human Development and Family Studies.
She grew up in Danbury, Connecticut, moved to Storrs, Connecticut when attending college, and then moved to Arizona two years ago, where she currently lives and works.
When reflecting on her time at Wooster, she credits the school's supportive nature for contributing to her growth from third to twelfth grade. Wooster allowed her to grow as a student, make mistakes without feeling ashamed, and try new activities such as golf, volleyball, and pottery.
“Wooster offered me many possibilities and opportunities in my day-to-day life,” Audrey said.
Aside from Wooster allowing her to branch out and grow as an individual, she was also able to gain a glimpse into the real world because of Wooster's job program. This program gave her many leadership opportunities and allowed her to discover she enjoyed collaborating with others.
Because of Wooster, Audrey entered UConn with a strong understanding of time management and effective communication, which allowed her to feel comfortable taking part in group discussions. She had strong study skills and was able to create a good balance between her school work and her extracurricular activities.
“I continue to learn from every opportunity, but the foundation began at Wooster with class projects, engaging debates or discussions in class,” stated Audrey, "This helped foster my confidence early on, which I am very thankful for.”
Today, Audrey applies the skills she gained at Wooster to a professional work setting as a full-time HR Business Partner. She supports Medicare-eligible customers with their health insurance needs. She works closely with the company’s operations leadership team to control onboarding new team members, performance and talent management, and employee relations.
“I help ensure our practices are aligned with company goals, as well as our policies and guidelines,” Audrey said.
She plays a crucial role in supporting employees while making sure the organization operates effectively.
As an HR Business Partner, she supports her department of 300 team members, licensed agents who work with the Medicare-eligible customers to cater to their needs and enroll them in a suitable plan, operations managers, and the Director of Operations.
“No two days look the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most about my role,” said Audrey.
She can gain a different perspective while supporting “company culture and employee morale.”
In addition to her professional role, Audrey stays closely connected to Wooster as she is a member of the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees is a group of devoted alumni, current parents, past parents and community members. According to Wooster's website, all of the Trustees support the same aim of preparing students for fulfillment, happiness and success by rigorous growth of intellect and spirit. They suggest important input for the school's development in hopes that it continues to progress and advance.
For Audrey, having a position on her past school’s board of trustees is extra meaningful. She was able to experience Wooster firsthand as a student and now provides relevant insight as a Trustee.
“Audrey’s presence on the Board signals that Wooster lives its values in a real, sustained way—people who return not out of obligation, but out of care,” Ms. Higgins, Audrey’s former teacher, said. “What we build here matters long after students graduate, and Wooster encourages people to stay connected and give back.”
On the side, some of Audrey’s passions are golf, pickleball, traveling, and, since moving to Arizona, exploring national parks. She is an avid DIYer and enjoys creating new projects for her house!
From a student to a board member, these values have stuck with her and now play a role in her professional life. The leadership roles, collaboration techniques, and management skills she learned at Wooster guide her, whether she is taking part in her role as an HR Business Partner or giving back to the community as a Trustee. She can look back on the values—gentle, generous, truthful, kind and brave—and reflect on how she has effectively woven them into her everyday life.
Crosby '27
Advanced Journalism Student
