Committees
Committees are an important part of NACAC’s leadership structure and are vital to its success. Members lend their expertise to the issues and programs that keep the association current and strategic in serving its members, the profession, and students.
Committee Reports
The 2023-2024 ad hoc committee reports are now available. Please visit the Ad Hoc Committee to Identify DEI Hiring Best Practices in College Admission Counseling Professional Settings and Ad Hoc Committee to Establish Guidance for the Workplace Wellbeing of Professionals and Office Culture pages to view.
NACAC also has two special committees:
Learn more about NACAC’s upcoming 2024-2025 ad hoc committee:
Committee Reports
Upon their completion, each ad hoc committee presented its findings in a report, and the most recent are available here.
Efforts to document established and promising practices within college admission and school counseling/college advising professional settings are relatively sparse. This committee was charged with:
- Documenting DEI hiring best practices;
- Building a foundation of research, best practices, and existing standards upon which NACAC can build a body of knowledge and/or toolkit for the future;
- Providing recommendations to NACAC and its member institutions for adoption of DEI hiring best practices.
Committee Co-Chairs
Matt Ogawa
Oregon Health Science University
Genesis Meaderds
Eastern Oregon University
Members
Adaeze Ogunedo
Smith College (MA)
Aric Fulton
KIPP DC Public Schools (Washington DC)
Benjamin Lah
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School (CA)
Brandon Mack
To The Top Education Group (VA)
Davinci Wallace
Milwaukee School of Engineering (WI)
Dianne Hurtado
Northern Arizona University
Gregory Garcia
Denison University (OH)
Heidi Maddess
The University of British Columbia (Canada)
Holly Buttrey
Carleton College (MN)
Martha Pitts
St. Andrews School (DE)
Oren Iosepovici
Scarsdale High School (NY)
Savannah Miller
Johns Hopkins University (MD)
Staci Pennington
The University of Tulsa (OK)
The purpose of this benchmarking exercise was to improve the general well-being of college admissions professionals. NACAC’s members will benefit from accessing current guidance and research related to overall workplace wellbeing in secondary and postsecondary professional settings.
This committee was charged with:
- Working with industry and NACAC advisors to identify current benchmarking guidance, systemic reviews of secondary and postsecondary staffing needs, workload estimates, and successful/promising models for optimal staffing;
- Building a foundation of research, best practices, and existing standards upon which NACAC can build a body of knowledge and/or toolkit for the future;
- Providing recommendations to NACAC and its member institutions for how to address and support the wellbeing of professionals.
Committee members
Co-Chairs
Ashley Araya
University of California, Riverside
Michael Cartusciello
Lesley University (NJ)
Members
Kimberly Benns
La Salle University (PA)
Phoebe Blaisdell
Pomona College (CA)
Tanya Cummings
St. John’s (TX)
Mike Drish
Vanderbilt University (TN)
Scott Garbini
Garbini Education and Career Consulting LLC (CT)
Sara-Jean Gilbert
Illinois College
Robin Hamilton
Occidental College (CA)
Amanda Henry
Whitfield School (MO)
Marcelle Hicks
New York Institute of Technology
Aziza Janmohamed
Rice University (TX)
Katarina Ng
The Steppingstone Foundation (MA)
Laura Romer
University of Oregon
Wintress Ross
University of South Carolina
Carly Valenzuela
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (PA)
The committee helped NACAC operationalize the recommendations included in the NACAC-NASFAA report, “Toward a More Equitable Future for Postsecondary Access, ” that institutions include students in the development of college admission counseling policies and practices, particularly where questions of equity are involved. The committee created a framework for institutions to use in identifying student populations for inclusion, structuring conversations with students, and integrating student recommendations into policy and practice. In a departure from past NACAC ad hoc committees, this committee included student participants in the process of developing further plans and recommendations.
Committee members
James B. Massey, Jr., Co-Chair
University of Maryland College Park
Ashley Pallie, Co-Chair
California Institute of Technology
Ashley Armato
Palmer Trinity School (FL)
Casandra Cabral-Castro
Moravian University (PA)
Yolanda Coleman
Woodward Academy (GA)
Arezu Corella
University of Arizona
Liz Creighton
Williams College (MA)
Barbara Gao Shapiro
Success Academy Charter Schools (NY)
Stephanie Gonzalez
Trinity School (NY)
Robert Gould
Augsburg University (MN)
Norma Gutierrez
Saint Thomas Academy (MN)
Jordan Holliday-Millard
UNC Charlotte
Lafayetta (Faye) Hood
Cristo Rey Network (IL)
Fitima Jackson
Rice University (TX)
Rebecca Mulholland
University of Rhode Island
Elyan Paz
Macalester College (MN)
Warren Quirett
Episcopal High School (VA)
Mary Randers
Austin College (TX)
Emily Roper-Doten
Olin College of Engineering (MA)
Dwight Sanchez
Warner Pacific University (OR)
Karen Vahey
New York Institute of Technology
Leticia Vasquez
Double Discovery Center at Columbia University (NY)
Melinda Wood
James Madison University (VA)
Built upon the work of the Current Trends and Future Issues (CTFI) Committee, this committee re-examined the CTFI committee’s 2019-20 recommendations for assisting students and professionals with mental health challenges related to the college transition and offered its perspective on how those recommendations could be revised or supplemented due to the pandemic. The ad hoc committee was asked to identify systemic challenges faced by college admission counseling professionals and students and recommend ways in which NACAC is best positioned to address these challenges in a post-COVID landscape.
Committee members
Sean Ohira, Co-Chair
Punahou School (HI)
Yvonne Espinoza, Co-Chair
Yvonne Espinoza College Counseling Services (TX)
Joanne Baker
New Haven School-Saratoga Springs Campus (UT)
Lisa Ball
International School of Dakar
Sara Cohen
University of Pennsylvania (PA)
Karen Dickerson
Cuyahoga Community College (OH)
Nicolas Dillman
George School (PA)
Noor Haddad
The Bishop’s School (CA)
Allie Kerns
Trinity High School (KY)
Shanell Leggins
The Archer School for Girls (CA)
Sandria Mason
University of Pittsburgh (PA)
Allan Mathew
Tufts University (MA)
Savannah Miller
Johns Hopkins University (MD)
Virginia Miller
Miller School Solutions, LLC (VA)
Jeffrey Neill
Graded – The American School in Sao Paulo (Brazil)
Aminah Praileau
Wellesley College (MA)
Chris Rodriguez
The Lovett School (GA)
Katie Schumacher
Mt. Mary University (WI)
Janine Silberberg
John P. Stevens High School (NJ)
Linh Snyder
Malibu High School (CA)
Sunny Park Suh
Hunter College High School (NY)
Sean Whitten
John Paul II High School (TX)
Committee members
Peggy Jenkins (co-chair)
Palouse Pathways (ID)
Peaches Valdes (co-chair)
Hamilton College (NY)
Alba Cobos
Georgia Southern University
Amelia Conlon
The Peddie School (NJ)
Mark Cortez
The Ohio State University
Brett Fuller
Columbia University (NY)
Leticia Garay
University of California-Davis
Jody Goins
Lincoln Memorial University (TN)
Nick Grenoble
Waterford School (UT)
Erin Grey
Lyman High School (WY)
Becky Halamka
Westwood High School (MI)
Erin Heide
Valley City State University (ND)
Chris LaTempa
Malvern Preparatory School (PA)
Rance Lee
US Military Academy (NY)
Adeara London
Cornell College (IA)
Adam Ray
Western Carolina University (NC)
Jill Semmens
Collegiate Directions (MD)
Gregory Stringer
New Mexico Tech
Kirin Terni
Housatonic Valley Regional High School (CT)
Vilma Wolfe
Saint Joseph Academy (TX)
Staff liaisons
David A. Hawkins
Chief Education and Policy Officer
Tiziana Marchante
Project Coordinator, Educational Content and Policy
The Ad Hoc Committee on Engaging Public High School Counselors was asked to develop practical recommendations for expanding NACAC membership among public high school counselors, with special attention to counselors at Title I schools. The committee considered the priorities for high school counselors to successfully guide students on their path to postsecondary education, such as increasing professional development opportunities, the value of NACAC membership for the profession, and the need for increased visibility, advocacy, and support for the profession.
Committee members
Candice Mackey (co-chair)
Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES)
Jennifer Nuechterlein (co-chair)
Hunterdon Cenral Regional High School (NJ)
Bob Bardwell
Monson High school (MA)
Emily Behan
Coney Island Prep High School (NY)
Stephanie Brazinsky
Denver South High School (CO)
Deanna Dixon
Smith College (MA)
Beth Gilfillan
Bowling Green State University (OH)
Priscilla Grijalva
Norte Vista High School (CA)
Nancy Herndon
Hamilton Southeastern High School (IN)
Fitima Jackson
Rice University (TX)
Rodrick Jackson
Southern Methodist University (TX)
Mike Jaskoski
Avon High School (IN)
Erin Kim
Granada Hills Charter High School (CA)
Margarita Landeros
Green Dot Public Schools (CA)
Jennifer Landy
Wayzata High School (MN)
Ericka Matthews-Jackson
Wayne State University (MI)
Lynda McGee
Downtown Magnets High School (CA)
Nichole Mitchell
Norristown Area High School (PA)
William Pepin
North Smithfield High School (RI)
Corey Sheffield
College AIM (GA)
Randy Stamm
Hackensack High School (NJ)
Staff liaisons
Shantel Goodman-Luckett
Chief Experience Officer
Cameron Hair
Research Associate
The Ad Hoc Committee on Reimagining the NACAC-Affiliate Partnership developed recommendations for redesigning the relationship between NACAC and its affiliates, clarifying their respective roles, and discovering new ways for the organizations to pursue mutually beneficial goals. The recommendations identifed ways to complement one another’s efforts, grow their respective memberships, and share resources.
The committee was asked to develop recommendations to:’
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Redefine the Delegate role so that it provides value to individuals, Affiliates, and NACAC
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Provide clearly defined roles, expectations, and boundaries for Affiliates and NACAC
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Increase bidirectional and transparent communication between NACAC and Affiliates
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Increase support and value from the Affiliate/NACAC relationship
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Have Affiliates of all sizes benefit from the relationship
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Have Affiliates and NACAC offer distinct and complementary value propositions for their respective members
Committee members
Mark Steinlage, Jr. (chair)
NACAC Board Member
Saint Louis University (MO)
Carl Behrend
Behrend Consulting (NY)
Carlos Cano
Georgian Court University (NJ)
Eli Clarke
Commonwealth Academy (VA)
Lauren Cook
Jewish Community High School of the Bay (CA)
Ellen Deitrich
The Hill School (PA)
Thomas Delahunt
Southwestern University (TX)
Jayne Fonash
JCFonash Consulting (VA)
Jane Gabin
Collegiate Consulting (NC)
Phyllis Gill
Student Centered College Counseling (NC)
Federico Glitman
Lynn University (FL)
Debi Hudson
St. Teresa’s Academy (MO)
Johnnie Johnson
Transylvania University (KY)
Matt Lane
The Branson School (CA)
Maureen Lawler
Bishop Kelley High School (OK)
Earl Macam
Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School (MO)
Holly Markiecki-Bennetts
Mercy High School (MI)
Daniel Marschner
Loyola Marymount University (CA)
John McGreal
Bellin College (WI)
Teege Mettille
Carroll University (WI)
Marie Morris
Beyond 18 College Consulting (OR)
Suzi Nam
The Baldwin School (PA)
Megan O’Rourke
Providence College (RI)
Marguerite Raymo
Jonathan Law High School (CT)
Emily Ross
University of Arizona
Laurie Sieminski
Edison High School (NJ)
Davinci Wallace
Milwaukee School of Engineering (WI)
Staff liaisons
Ashley Perzyna
Chief of Staff
Heather McGhee
Associate Director of Governance
The Ad Hoc Committee on Serving Next-Generation College Counseling and Admission
Professionals was asked to develop recommendations for programs and services to attract,
serve, and maintain the newest members of the college counseling and admission profession.
Committee members
Emma Adebayo (co-chair)
Augustana College (IL)
Julie Chapman (co-chair)
Vanderbilt University (TN)
Kate Beck
NYC iSchool (NY)
Jose Bolivar
Houston Independent School District (TX)
Grace Bradley
Barnard College (NY)
Allyson Brown
Furman University (SC)
Brandon Bruan
Pacific Lutheran University (WA)
Josue Castellon
Foundation for a College Education (CA)
Nikki Chun
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Germel Clarke
US Naval Academy (MD)
Brandon Curry
Indiana University Fort Wayne
Maria Della Bella
Spalding University (KY)
Derrick Kang
Mid Pacific Institute (HI)
Ebony Lovett
Whitefield Academy (GA)
Yuchen Lu
Peking University Experimental School (China)
Julio Mata
Francis Parker School (CA)
Bruce Neimeyer
Global College Search Associates, LLC (MD)
Ashley Pallie
Pomona College (CA)
Veronica Pecero
The University of Texas at Austin
Ariana Pistorino
University of San Francisco (CA)
Brian Smith
Marlborough School (CA)
Debra Taylor
College Ready, LLC (OH)
Staff liaisons
Melissa Clinedinst
Director of Research
Sophia Chaale
Senior Instructional Designer
The Commission on Redesigning College Admission and Financial Aid Through a Racial Equity Lens is a national panel of leaders and researchers from across higher education, policy, and civil rights.
The commission developed specific proposals for reimagining financial aid and college admission systems and ultimately eliminating racial inequity in postsecondary educational access. The panel is the product of NACAC’s partnership with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) and is made possible through funding from Lumina Foundation.
Committee Members
Kendra Allen
Associate Director of Financial Aid Special Programs
Northern Virginia Community College
Tanya Ang
Vice President
Veterans Education Success
Daniel Barkowitz
Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid and Veterans’ Affairs
Valencia College (FL)
Jose Bowen
Senior Fellow
Association of American Colleges and Universities
Alexander Clark
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Technolutions
Art Coleman
Managing Partner and Co-Founder
EducationCounsel
Shirley Collado
President
Ithaca College (NY)
Youlonda Copeland-Morgan
Vice Provost, Enrollment Management
University of California, Los Angeles
David Follick
Dean of Admission
Nassau Community College (NY)
Kristen Harris
Senior Director of College and Career Success
New York City Department of Education
Luisa Havens-Gerardo
Vice Provost for Enrollment Management
Virginia Tech
Emily House
Executive Director
Tennessee Higher Education Commission and Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
Janet Marling
Executive Director
National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students
Stephanie McGencey
Executive Director
American Youth Policy Forum
Joseph Montgomery
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success
Tuskegee University (AL)
David Page
Vice President for Enrollment Management
Dillard University (LA)
Daniel Phelan
President
Jackson College (MI)
OiYan Poon
Associate Professor Affiliate of Educational Policy Studies
University of Illinois at Chicago
Brian Sponsler
Vice President, Policy
Education Commission of the States
Michaele Turnage Young
Senior Counsel
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.
Don Yu
Chief Operating Officer
Reach Higher at The Common Application
