2024 Rising Star Award Winners
The Rising Star Award honors individuals and programs that exemplify excellence and dedication to serving the needs of students in the transition from high school to college.
This award encourages NACAC affiliates to look within their associations, identify and nurture those new members and programs that are deserving of this honor and also encourage the honorees to continue their professional development through membership in NACAC.
Program Winners
Great Plains Association for College Admission Counseling’s (GPACAC) Membership and Engagement Committee launched the Engagement Program in Fall 2023, which allowed our affiliate to measure member involvement through an engagement score built into our CRM (Slate). We have been able to identify members who are investing into our affiliate and sharing their time and talents by completing resource forms, attending virtual and in-person events, or joining a GPACAC program or initiative.
We mailed handwritten and personalized note cards, along with branded swag, recognizing our members for their active participation and contributions, ensuring they feel valued and appreciated.
This is only the start. GPACAC aims to also understand who is not engaging so we can identify barriers, design resources, and understand what we can do better to carry out our mission to a greater and smarter capacity – to educate professionals to better serve students in their post-secondary transition in the great states of Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
Immediately following the devastating Maui Wildfires, HACAC members swiftly mobilized to address the urgent needs of their students, families, and community. Planning committees comprised of HACAC volunteers organized programs and services to support college counseling professionals in Maui. Volunteers from across Hawai’i traveled to Maui to assist with college fairs, application workshops, and weekly virtual panels, extending support to families across the island. This movement epitomized the very essence of aloha and ignited many members to become more active within the affiliate.
The clean-up efforts in Maui continue while Lahaina officials work on housing accommodations and development plans. HACAC’s Slippahs on the Ground initiative is dedicated to fulfilling each request made by Maui college counselors as the island undergoes healing and reconstruction, a process estimated to span ten to twenty-plus years. HACAC remains committed to sending its members as frequently as needed to provide support, ensuring the continuation of in-person college fairs, application workshops, financial aid assistance, and weekly virtual college panels throughout this period.
A special Mahalo to the HACAC members who rose to the occasion:
- Leilani Arita-Takayama
- Jen Baum
- Michael Bryann Gaetos
- Danford Chang
- Eleyne Fia
- Dawn Fraser
- Lei Haas
- Alana Haitsuka-Fernandez
- Farris James
- Malia Kau
- Larissa Leslie
- Renate McMullen
- Kori Shlachter
The SACAC Leads program was designed to develop informed, committed and qualified leaders for the organization and the broader profession. SACAC Leads prepares and motivates participants to provide intentional and dynamic leadership within the SACAC member states. All participants are encouraged to have been active members of SACAC or another regional affiliate for at least five years. Faculty applicants are encouraged to have at least 10 years of experience and significant past or present leadership within SACAC or another regional affiliate.
The SACAC Leads program runs annually from January – March and is comprised of five virtual class days and two shadowing experiences. Participants are also encouraged to engage in SACAC events within their respective home states when possible, including Legislative Days, Drive-in Workshops, and/or College Admission Workshops.
As of 2024, four cohorts have graduated from the program.
Individual Winners
Cori Hup is the assistant director of undergraduate admissions at the University of South Dakota (USD) in Vermillion, SD. She has been with the USD Undergraduate Admissions Office since 2016, where she started as a student during her undergraduate degree. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in social work and a minor in health sciences in 2020, she transitioned to a full-time role as an admissions counselor before advancing to assistant director.
In her current role, she oversees full-time admissions counselors and student staff, providing comprehensive training, onboarding, and professional development opportunities. Her commitment to professional growth is demonstrated through participation in the President’s Executive Leadership Institute and various professional development conferences, including the MIDWest, DACAC, and CCASD conferences. Cori is an active member of DACAC’s professional development committee and has helped plan many conferences, such as the New Counselor Institute. Additionally, she serves on the steering committee for VermillionNEXT Young Professionals Network as the co-events chair.
With a dedication to fostering a supportive and efficient admissions environment, Cori strives to contribute to the success and growth of USD’s student body.
Cade Shaw is a strong advocate for higher education and is heavily involved with GPACAC by serving on several committees and presenting during conferences and lunch chats. Both students and parents have positive and productive relationships with Cade and are comfortable contacting him with their questions and concerns. He is a true admission counselor rather than recruiter and his work ethic and personal integrity shine through with each meeting, event, and presentation. Cade hosts workshops for students year-round in collaboration with other institutions. He offers his expertise to all students, not just those applying to his school. He is constantly thinking outside the box to find ways to celebrate students and pours his heart into his profession.
Hailing from the resilient island of Maui, Hawaii, Leka finds great fulfillment in serving students from all backgrounds and circumstances, including empowering underrepresented youth through her work as college counselor at Maui High School. Early on in her role, she took the initiative to rename her position to ‘post-high counselor’ to better encompass and support all student paths. Drawing on the wisdom of supportive and experienced colleagues across the state, Leka has developed a reputation of having a determined yet personable demeanor, fostering meaningful connections and guiding students and families with empathy and expertise. A mother of four young children and a proud product of the Hawaii public schools system herself, Leka is humbled to receive Hawaii’s 2024 NACAC Rising Star Award — a recognition of her impactful contributions to the profession and continued willingness to learn and develop based on the ever-changing needs of her school community.
Jennifer is a post-secondary counselor at Barrington Community High School in Barrington, Illinois. With over 13 years in education, she has been supporting high school students with their post-secondary goals in various roles. Before her position as post-secondary counselor, Jennifer started her career as a high school social worker and high school counselor at another high school in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Jennifer has been a member of IACAC since 2014, where she has been a committee member for Mentorship, hosts an Illinois Regional College Fair, and is starting her final term as co-chair for the NACAC College Fair committee. This last year, she also served as the co-chair for the inaugural Illinois National College Fair. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Jennifer loves spending time with her husband, two children, family, and friends, and is always planning her next vacation. When Jennifer “grows up”, she wants to be just like Joanna Gaines so she can fulfill her passion for interior design.
Quinci was born and raised in Greencastle, Indiana and now serves as an associate director of admissions at Purdue University. She received her bachelor’s degree from DePauw University in communications and a master’s degree in management and leadership from Purdue Global. Passionate about helping Indiana students achieve their goals and dreams, she loves connecting with students and hearing their stories. Her favorite part of the job is helping encourage students to achieve whatever goals they have in life and recognize no path is linear. In addition to her work in higher education, she has volunteered for a college ministry and operates a co-hosting business part time. In her free time, you’ll likely find Quinci on a run, playing volleyball, watching action movies, spending time with loved ones, or eating pizza.
Baman Kumar Ghimire is a 2019 International ACAC Scholar and a school counselor at Motherland Secondary School in Nepal. He is gifted at communicating, collaborating, and empowering applicants when researching and considering study abroad opportunities. He secured Opportunity Grants from International ACAC in 2022 and 2023, which provided underserved communities with resources that significantly uplifted HALI students and provided them with newfound hope and opportunities. He also runs mini fairs and workshops focused on enhancing student profiles, application processes, college research, and more. In recognition of his initiatives, the Nepal government recently honored him with the National Education Award. During the holidays, he travels across the country in collaboration with the local U.S. embassy, EducationUSA, International ACAC, and more.
Maia Augustine is in her second year as an admission representative at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Prior to working at Cornell, Maia worked in the admission office of her alma mater, Wartburg College, where she helped with tours and daily admission office duties. While at Cornell, Maia has been the tour guide coordinator, helped run a special scholarship program with a local high school, which she attended herself, and continuously brings new ideas to any committee she is a part of. She is a member of the Iowa ACAC’s conference planning committee and helped plan the 2023 MIDWest Conference. She is excited to continue building a career in admission and diving deeper into the higher education world!
Cassidy Smith is the KHEAA Outreach Counselor for Southeastern Kentucky. Prior to working as an outreach counselor, she served as a college coach in the Kentucky College Coach Program with AmeriCorps. During a very demanding year in college access, she spent time serving both roles concurrently. Her passion is in increasing the college- and career-going culture in her home region by providing resources and knowledge to the people who live there. During her time as an outreach counselor, she has been awarded the KYACAC Rising Star Award. Cassidy uses her positive attitude and energy to inspire others to reach their goals, both at work and at home with her husband, nephew, and many nieces. In her free time, she likes to garden, draw, play video games, and spend time with her dogs, cats, and guinea pigs.
Jeronica Andrews-Avila is a school counselor in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is currently in her 5th year as a school counselor and 10th year in academia. She started her career as an admissions counselor for her alma mater Calvin University, serving both domestic and international students with admissions. In the Fall of 2020, Jeronica transitioned to high school counseling. In this role, she has led the charge of starting an on-campus college fair, taking students on college campus visits, and a therapy dog program. She is a third-culture kid from Hong Kong and has had the privilege of calling both the US and Hong Kong home. She is incredibly proud and grateful to have had the opportunity to experience both the Hong Kong and American education systems. In her free time, she loves to cook and travel with her husband.
Emily is an assistant director of admissions at Minnesota State University, Mankato and a current tri-chair of MACAC’s Professional Development Committee. Without much experience on the committee, Emily was eager to jump in and learn when asked to move into the tri-chair role two years ago. In just a short period of time, Emily has brought stability and energy to the leadership of one of MACAC’s most demanding committees.
Russell Brannen works for College Bound STL and serves as co-chair of the MOACAC Inclusion, Access, and Success Committee. He started his journey with College Bound STL when he was 15 years old in Saint Louis, Missouri. Russell became the first person in his family to graduate from college when he earned a bachelor’s degree in 2015 and then returned to STL to work for College Bound as a persistence coach. He has served in multiple positions at College Bound STL and Saint Louis University as a college counselor and admission recruiter. He is grateful to the many people who contribute to his professional development, which allows him to be the college counseling specialist that he is today.
Russell believes the most rewarding thing about the work he does is the look on his students’ faces when they are the first in their families to graduate, as well. To know their futures are bright warms his heart and recharges his spirit. Russell is excited to see what lies ahead!
The commitment to NEACAC has never wavered in Brendan’s first few years in admission. After starting at Stonehill College and attending Summer Institute, he was exposed to the contagious energy that leaders in the field had about this line of work. From there, he wanted to get involved. He was ultimately lucky enough to be given a spot on the Annual Meeting & Conference Committee (AMC) through NEACAC. Even after moving to Virginia to work at the University of Richmond, Brendan was able to maintain his commitment to AMC via volunteering on the committee and presenting on both burnout and selectivity. As a first-generation college student, Brendan began his career hoping to learn more about how to support students like him. He continually finds energy to keep including under resourced and underrepresented populations in the conversation by evaluating and reflecting on the way things are and bringing perspective to any group he finds himself working with. We’re confident that he will continue to have a positive effect in our field and are excited to see how he’ll continue to influence the discussion. He is very grateful to all that he’s been lucky enough to cross paths with this far and is excited to continue to build those relationships while hopefully creating more.
Dylan Klim, the senior assistant director of admission at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, has been part of the NJACAC community since 2021. He began his journey within the organization on the communications committee, where he revamped many of NJACAC’s social media platforms. Currently, Klim serves as a college representative and chair of communications, dedicating substantial effort to bridging the gap between admission professionals and enhancing NJACAC’s digital presence. With over five years in higher education, Klim attributes much of his recent success to the valuable connections and relationships he has cultivated through his involvement with NJACAC.
Tyree (Ty) Vann has dedicated nearly a decade to admission, with seven of those years at St. John’s University. Currently serving as the assistant director of undergraduate admissions and diversity recruitment, Ty manages admission for Manhattan, the Bronx, and Chicago, having previously overseen Upstate New York. Her involvement with NYSACAC spans her entire tenure, where she has mentored at Camp College, co-chaired CBO and Opportunity Programs, and presented at the NYSACAC conference.
A first-generation college graduate from Long Island, New York, Ty’s educational journey through both SUNY and New York’s private university system fuels her passion for education, higher education, and equitable access. Proudly embodying her New York roots, Ty attributes her career path to the joy of recruiting for her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., during her undergrad. This experience ignited her determination to align her career with her passions.
With a graduate degree in sociology and an undergraduate degree in cultural anthropology, Ty integrates her academic background into her career, ensuring information is conveyed in a personalized and accessible manner. Beyond admission, Ty is an empath and certified life coach who enjoys recording for her podcast, Live 2B Recognized, reading, spending time with friends, traveling with her boyfriend, and pursuing personal growth.
Alexis “Lexi” Alvarado is a senior admission counselor at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. Attending her first Ohio ACAC Annual Conference and Guiding the Way to Inclusion (GWI) in 2021 inspired her mission to mobilize higher education opportunities to students with diverse backgrounds and ensuring professionals were equipped with the knowledge and tools to do so. During her now three years in college admission, Lexi has made a lasting impact at her institution and Ohio ACAC. At her institution, she co-leads the planning of the Latino Youth Summit, which celebrates Latino culture and promotes post-secondary education for high school students. In Ohio ACAC, she has served on several committees including Summer Institute as on-site chair, the Annual Conference Committee as entertainment chair, and the Inclusion, Access, and Success Committee as a camp college volunteer and scholarship application reader. Most recently, she stepped into the role of Guiding the Way to Inclusion co-chair, planning and executing the Ohio affiliate’s Guiding the Way to Inclusion conference. Lexi is an alumna of the University of Toledo with a bachelor’s degree in political science and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in foundations of education.
Braxton Hill received his Bachelor of Science in integrated plant sciences from Washington State University, where he worked as a student ambassador. After graduation, he worked in the wine industry. He worked for wineries in Washington, Oregon, and California, before transitioning back to higher education. Braxton joined OSU-Cascades in January of 2023 and in a very short time he quickly and confidently proved himself to be an asset not only to Oregon State University, but to the many students, families, counselors, and high schools he works with. Braxton’s contributions have also been key in OSU-Cascade’s campus growth. Not every day of working in higher education is smooth sailing and during the hardest days, Braxton has been the stable anchor of reassuring support within the admission team. He has been able to coordinate and complete many trips, intensive projects, and more. However, it is the small moments when working with students that have made the biggest impact.
Miguel is a native of the Washington D.C. area but has resided in Pittsburgh for 15 years. He was a student athlete and earned a BA in Political Science from Point Park University (Pittsburgh, PA) in 2012. After graduating he served in the Army Reserve and started working at Carnegie Mellon in 2014. He later earned his M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University in 2017. Miguel is currently serving as the Director of Access and Opportunity and Tartan Scholars Recruitment and Enrollment Manager in the office of Undergraduate Admission. In this role he supports teams that lead initiatives in athletics, outreach, counselor and CBO partnerships and other college access efforts. He also collaborates with the Student Academic Success Center and the Tartan Scholars program by serving as the recruitment and enrollment manager for the program.
This work allows him to work with students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds at Carnegie Mellon. His passion for serving as an advocate for higher education stems from his own experience as a first-generation college student, and the son of Salvadorian immigrants.
Amani Manning (he/him) is an engagement associate on the Student Success team at Reach Higher and Common App. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University and Howard University. Amani joined Reach Higher and Common App to assist as many underserved students as possible in their post-secondary evolution. Every day, Amani strives to create as much agency as possible for those who identify as students in their post-secondary processes.
An alum of Indiana State University’s renowned Student Affairs and Higher Education (SAHE) program with his master’s emphasis identifying the styles of educational leadership, DaMontá Madden is a knowledgeable, charismatic professional. He is dedicated to continuous learning and sharing his knowledge with those interested in higher education, specifically navigating the intricate admission process, and enhancing scholars’ knowledge of the landscape for more than half a decade.
In his primary role as the senior assistant director of out-of-state recruitment for CU Boulder, DaMontá is committed to promoting access to post-secondary education. He enjoys the multifaceted collaboration necessary for student exposure to higher education, successfully connecting students with the proper support, resources, and community. Consistent in his effort to learn more and delegate the earnings, he is the former vice chair for the Colorado Educational Services & Development Association (CESDA) (2019-2021), promoting and increasing access to post-secondary education. He is an intentional advocate and active member of the RMACAC Government Relations Committee.
Last summer, he trekked east to attend the National Advocacy Days on Capitol Hill. DaMontá believes education is a foundation for a life of collaboration, progression, and awareness.
Kelly O’Mara serves as associate director of college counseling at Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she also lives on campus and works as a dorm parent. A native of Rome, Georgia, Kelly received her Bachelor of Arts in American studies from Sewanee: The University of the South and her M.Ed. in independent school leadership from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. Kelly previously taught and worked in secondary school admission at schools in Austin, Texas, as well as in Baylor School’s admission office. She is active in SACAC as co-chair of the Tennessee Government Relations Committee where her work has focused on advocating for lower student-to-counselor ratios for public school counselors across the state. In addition, she presented during SACAC’s 2024 Annual Conference. Outside of SACAC, Kelly serves on the faculty of the Public Education Fund’s Camp College program and on counselor advisory boards for Belmont University and East Tennessee State University. In her work, Kelly prioritizes cultivating a sense of belonging for others by building relationships with students and colleagues and advocating for access to higher education for all.
Crystal Riles currently serves as the director of community and culture at Texas A&M University Bush School of Government & Public Service. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English rhetoric from Texas A&M University, followed by her Master of Science in nonprofit management from Our Lady of the Lake University. Crystal is responsible for oversight of the Bush School’s community related initiatives and programming, providing vision and direction to enhance the overall effectiveness of the community and how it operates. Her talents also expand to TACAC’s Executive Board as membership co-chair. Crystal is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in higher education administration, with a research focus on sense of belonging, identity, African American/Hispanic women, and the barriers they experience while navigating higher education. She aspires to join the professoriate in her future, while continuing to climb the ladder of higher education administration.
Jessica has been in education for 12 years. She started her career as a primary teacher, where she taught hundreds of students by building a strong foundation for their K-12 journey. Jessica is currently at Bishop Manogue Catholic High School where she guides students during the college search and application process. She has built her own college counseling program that creates resources for students and families while also running college essay workshops and application seminars. She provides students opportunities for scholarships and families with financial aid advice.
Jessica is an active member in Western ACAC, where she is co-chair of the Nevada Interests Committee, Nevada SIG leader, and a member of the College Fair Committee.
Jessica’s lifelong passion has been centered around helping youth in her community. She is a mentor to freshmen college students for the Nevada Promise Scholarship program and the Secretary of the Nevada Kids Foundation where she helps with various events throughout the year that support underserved youth in Northern Nevada. Above all, Jessica is a loving mother of two and wife.
Kourtney was born and raised in Wisconsin and currently serves as a Wisconsin-based regional admission counselor for Northern Michigan University. She completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Dayton and began her career in college admission in Ohio. About a year into her first admission role, she returned to her home state to pursue a master’s degree. Kourtney then graduated with a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She looks forward to growing in her admission career while working collaboratively with colleagues to enhance the college bound process for all students.