Jason Mogen
Director of Admission and Financial Aid Communication
University of North Carolina Asheville
What drew you to the world of college admission counseling?
Before entering college admissions, I obtained my undergrad degree in religion and then went onto a career in nonprofit arts fundraising. I liked to think of my work and study as thoughtful, meaningful community-building, and that’s exactly what admissions and college counseling let me do.
What is your favorite part of the job?
It always comes back to student engagement. Whether it’s explaining who we are as a university or walking through the fundamentals of the college admissions process, I love getting to connect with students and make sure they have everything they need to make the best-informed decision about the next chapter in their lives.
How has NACAC played a role in your career?
Through NACAC, I was able to connect with leaders in the NACAC Rural and Small Town SIG. They provided immense quantitative and qualitative research around the rural student experience in our college access space, which led to a full rural student recruitment plan at my previous institution. Being part of this SIG changed my entire recruitment strategy when I managed regions and shifted so much of the language I use in my work to be accessible for broader audiences.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession today?
Right now, the value of a college or university education is under real scrutiny. We have so much data to demonstrate the value of obtaining a college degree regardless of the major a student pursues. But public discourse, and our struggles to fund students and families better than we have in recent decades, is making it challenging to not only sustain our institutions, but to engage students in our college access work. We need to meet students where they are so they can relate to the purpose and benefits of a college education, and we need to increase financial support from our elected officials even more.
When you aren’t working, what do you like to do?
I’m lucky to live in Asheville, North Carolina, one of the coolest cities in the country! I love going into local shops and restaurants, exploring trails all around the Blue Ridge Mountains, and checking out live theater and concerts with my husband when I have the chance.
If you could be any fictional character, who would it be and why?
I always default to Bugs Bunny: witty, always a step ahead, and not a bad opera singer, either.
Published June 10, 2024