changing lives – Colleges That Change Lives https://ctcl.org Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:31:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://ctcl.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/cropped-CTCL.siteicon-e1442411033720-150x150.png changing lives – Colleges That Change Lives https://ctcl.org 32 32 The 2021 Counselors That Change Lives Awards https://ctcl.org/the-2021-counselors-that-change-lives-awards/ Wed, 20 Jan 2021 18:49:12 +0000 https://ctcl.org/?p=20800 The Counselors That Change Lives Award recognizes those whose dedication to the college counseling profession reflects the CTCL ideals. By helping students frame their search beyond the ratings and rankings to find a college that provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life, these counselors change lives.

Since 2009, we have recognized the tireless work of individuals who counsel students in the college search process with this award, and we offer our sincere congratulations to this year’s recipients!

Emily Coffey — Mount St. Mary Academy (AR)
Emily Coffey knows the liberal arts experience. As a Hendrix College student, she lived it, and as a young professional, she shared it with prospective students while working in the admission office. Now, as a college counselor, she can share insight on those great opportunities with her students on a daily basis. Working with students to expand their college options, Emily “gently pushes her students to thoughtfully reflect on their time at Mount St. Mary’s. This self-reflection often leads to conversations about what they have benefited from during their time in high school and where they have found the most success.” Emily’s work with students not only helps them find a college but also helps them see the many paths to a fulfilling life.

Cole Conners — Lakeside High School (GA)
As an advocate for his students, Cole Conners quizzes the reps he meets about the supports his students might need. He knows his 200+ students well and guides them to consider schools that will challenge and support them, helping them find community and mentoring. “Cole is a major advocate of first generation college students. Each year, he has played a vital role in organizing Lakeside’s ‘Apply to College Day.’ During the programming, admission representatives and college counselors are available in the library to actively work with students to complete college applications and FAFSAs.” We call this kind of work life-changing.

Allie Cooper — Breakthrough Santa Fe (NM)
Understanding students’ needs in the admission process takes many forms. Allie Cooper from BreakThrough Santa Fe worked with one of our other 2021 award recipients, Sam Ritter, to bring a Case Study program to their students. Then they went a step further and found Spanish-speaking college reps to make the program accessible to more parents and guardians. Allie’s work with first-generation, often underrepresented students has increased participation in BreakThrough Santa Fe’s six-year advising program, giving more students the chance to learn about liberal arts colleges. “Her work around fundraising, community support, case studies, and parental involvement is instrumental in helping these students see college opportunities in and beyond New Mexico!”

DeEnna Holohan — Notre Dame High School (CA)
With DeEnna Holohan, students at Notre Dame High School have an active advocate who goes well beyond the fundamentals in college counseling. “She is a passionate representative of CTCL and performs in her role with grace, diligence and a wonderful sense of humor—always with a beaming smile.” DeEnna knows her students “on a deeply personal and individual level” and is always willing to advocate for schools of best fit. She meets with every rep that visits, in-person prior to COVID and online in today’s challenging pandemic. Her knowledge of schools’ offerings allows her to help students build college lists that make sense and can make a significant difference in their college career and beyond

Nicholas Howell — Pflugerville High School (TX)
Working at a large public high school, Nick Howell is full of energy and ready to serve. He goes above and beyond, staying after that last bell as long as necessary to ensure that his first-generation, low-income students are aware of the possibilities that await them after high school. Need a ride to your SAT test? Nick is there. Need a quiet space to complete that application form? His door is open. Not sure what it’s like to go to college? He is ready and willing to answer all the questions students and their families/guardians might have. Nick does it all. In the summer of 2020, he took his summer “boot camp” program online and generously shared that format with other counselors in his part of Texas. Big state, big heart: Nick Howell is a class-act in college counseling.

Victoria MonroeVictoria Monroe — Mechanicsburg High School (OH)
Sometimes it takes an extra step to engage students. Victoria Monroe goes that extra step. When college reps visited Mechanicsburg High School via Zoom, she recorded mini-info sessions with the reps during those meetings. Then Victoria produced interactive posters for each college, complete with facts, financial aid information, and links to the colleges’ videos and websites. She encourages students not only to look beyond rankings and ratings—and their own comfort zones—to find the best-fit colleges, but also to start early. Those mini-info sessions are shared with the whole MHS community, which reflects the scope of Victoria’s role as the only counselor for 9-12 students.

Lisa Pederson — Mounds Park Academy (MN)
Qualitative and quantitative data: Both are tools in Lisa Pederson’s counseling toolbox. She “encourages students to think outside of the rankings by providing them with data that is backed with individual experiences from previous students or from her own research.” And, while she is sharing the hard data, Lisa is spending time getting to know her students’ interests, challenges, hopes, and dreams so she can help build an exceptionally personalized college list. Working with the college reps to understand their schools, Lisa’s counseling reflects here in-depth knowledge base and sincere hope for her students’ futures.

Morgan Phillips — St. Mary’s School (NC)
While her full-time counseling position at St. Mary’s School keeps her busy and challenged, Morgan Phillips also works with students in the area through a scholarship program called A Simple Gift. Working with students who have vastly different backgrounds hones Morgan’s counseling skills, and she makes a difference—changes lives, shall we say—every day by keeping all students’ best interest at the heart of her work. Giving students insight into potentially new and different paths is important work, and Morgan is leading the way in North Carolina.

Sam Ritter — Davis New Mexico Scholarship (NM)
Sam Ritter is the first award recipient jointly nominated in the same year by two CTCL-member schools. His work at the Davis New Mexico Scholarship gives him special insight into the needs of first-generation, BIPOC students who have great talents and a lot to offer colleges but need that extra encouragement to see themselves on that path. With a mission to ensure students find the right fit for their educational opportunities, Sam guides families through every step of the application process, helping them navigate the unique hiccups that they may experience throughout college. “With tips, workshops, and advice along the way, he has designed a program that empowers students to apply to college, even if they don’t win the scholarship.”

Darryl Tiggle — Friends School of Baltimore (MD)
Darryl Tiggle knows that education is not meant to perpetuate a system and society but rather is meant to be transformative, both on a personal level for a student and on a societal level as well. His work aligns beautifully with CTCL’s hope that each student will find a next-step that fulfills and changes them for the better. “Darryl is always ready to talk one-on-one with a student to get to know them—not just their academic and extra-curricular history but truly who they are, what they care about, what they dream about, who inspires them, and who they want to become and be one day.” We would all love to have a Darryl Tiggle in our corner as we make big decisions.

Elena Walsh — Benjamin Franklin High School at Masonville Cove (MD)
As a teacher and the only counselor for students in 9-12, Elena Walsh is a busy person. However, she ensures that those busy days include plenty of time to individually counsel students towards life after graduation. “Elena focuses on establishing relationships, emphasizing that students need to invest in themselves and become their own advocates now in order to be successful in life.” She stays in contact with her graduates and shares their positive experiences with current students to reinforce this message of ‘fit’. College advising, life advising—they are all part of the package that Elena offers to the students at her large, urban, public high school.

Matt Ybarra — Santa Fe Preparatory School (NM)
Matt Ybarra “represents the very best of our college counseling world and does so with enthusiasm, professionalism, and, most importantly, with incredible heart.” Counseling students to consider schools where they will thrive, Matt asks students think beyond the known and to see themselves as ready for the adventure of college. His work “always goes above and beyond” for students, sharing his knowledge and experience not only with his official counseling load but also by collaborating with CBO leaders to support even more students in Santa Fe.

 

 

 

]]> Counselors That Change Lives Awards, 2009-2025 https://ctcl.org/past-awards/ Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:07:18 +0000 http://wptest.bvesb.com/?p=491 The Counselors That Change Lives Award recognizes those whose dedication to the college counseling profession reflects the CTCL ideals. By helping students frame their search beyond the ratings and rankings to find a college that provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life, these student-centered professionals powerfully communicate to students and families that what happens during the stay is what counts. Since 2009, the following individuals have been honored as Counselors That Change Lives.

Lade Akande, University High School, IN, 2019
Ana Almeida, Onward We Learn, RI, 2023
Robert Andrews, Schuler Scholar Program, IL, 2010
Angelica Bailon, Saint Joseph-Notre Dame High School, CA, 2017
Beau Baker, Ivy Plus Academy at Fern Creek High School, KY, 2018
Kathryn Baron, Mount Vernon High School, IA, 2018
Laura Baxter, Key School, MD, 2024
Amy Belstra, Libertyville High School, IL, 2015
Helen Berger, Houston Preparatory Academy, TX, 2012
Emily Berty, Kirkwood High School, MO, 2011
John Boshoven, Community High School, MI, 2010
Tobe Bott-Lyons, Northern New Mexico College TRIO, NM, 2025
Jesse Bowen, Woodward Academy, GA, 2022
Frank Branch, Jim Hill High School, MS, 2022
Matt Burns, Woodrow Wilson High School, WA, 2015
Blythe Butler, Catlin Gabel Academy, OR, 2020
Diane Campbell, Fossil Ridge High School, CO, 2017
Mark Chalkley, United World College Red Cross Nordic, Norway, 2019
David Chehey, Boise High School, ID, 2025
Eli Clarke, Commonwealth Academy, VA, 2020
Anne Cochran, Charter High School of the Arts (Multimedia and Performing), CA, 2012
Emily Coffey, Mount St. Mary Academy, AR, 2021
Emily Colman, Brooklyn Latin School, NY, 2012
Cole Conners, Lakeside High School, GA, 2021
Allie Cooper, Breakthrough Santa Fe, NM, 2021
Maria Cortes, Nicholas Academic Center, CA, 2016
Dan Crabtree, Wheaton Academy, IL, 2016
Cody Dailey, Lyons Township High School, IL, 2024
Brendan Diffley, Pinewood Preparatory School, SC, 2010
Josh Ditsky, Berks Catholic High School, PA, 2017
Nora Dowley, Codman Academy Charter Public School, MA, 2010
Melanie Drake, Whitfield School, MO, 2012
Erin Duffy, Seacrest Country Day School, FL, 2009
Gail Durso, Explore Solutions, CA, 2019
Yvonne Espinoza, Gonzalo Garza Independence High School, TX, 2015
Jennifer Ewing, Cristo Rey Baltimore, MD, 2020
Jim Fadely, University High School of Indiana, IN, 2009
John Fanning, Jones College Prep, IL, 2010
David Feiner, Albany Park Theatre Project, IL, 2015
Jennifer FitzPatrick, Columbus Academy, OH, 2013
Michele Flores, Baltimore City College, MD, 2018
Randy Fong, Sacred Hearts Academy, HI, 2022
Adrienne Fluitt, BASIS Oro Valley, AZ, 2020
Kathy Garrett, Minds Matter Portland, OR, 2024
Steffanie Gentile, Clark Montessori, OH, 2011
Sarah Jane Gibbons, Millennium Brooklyn High School, NY, 2023
Timothy Gibson, St. George’s Independent School, TN, 2013
Aliza Gilbert, Highland Park High School, IL, 2017
Daniel Gin, Niles West High School, IL, 2011
Janet Glovinsky,  Denver Center for International Studies, CO, 2012
Sharmon Goodman, One Voice, CA, 2025
Debbie Greenberg, College Bound, MO, 2009
Keeon Gregory, Greensboro Day School, NC, 2025
Jessica Hardy, St. George’s Independent School, TN, 2022
Jason Harris, College Now Greater Cleveland, OH, 2024
Patty Hart, HighSight, IL, 2022
Mary Hunter Hardison, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, VA, 2019
Bridget Herrera, Escola American de Campinas, Brazil, 2010
Kelly Herrington, University Prep, WA, 2013
Kris Hilton, Central Academy of Des Moines Public Schools, IA, 2015
DeEnna Holohan, Notre Dame High School, CA, 2021
Nicholas Howell, Pflugerville High School, TX, 2021
Lauren Hoyt, Oakwood Friends School, NY, 2010
Emma Huelskoetter, Davidson College Advising Corps/Hunter Huss High School, NC, 2016
Grace Jackson, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Twin Cities, MN, 2025
Andrew Johnson, George Westinghouse College Prep, IL, 2025
Kent Jones, Emma Willard School, NY, 2020
Rodney Joyner, Baltimore City College, MD, 2020
Beth Kainic, Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep, IL, 2019
Donald Kamentz, College Initiatives Prep/YES Prep, TX, 2012
Derrick Kang, Mid-Pacific Institute, HI, 2020
Adam Kendis, North Star Academy Charter School of Newark, NJ, 2011
William Kibler, Cesar Chavez High School, AZ, 2022
Mo Kim, SEO Scholars San Francisco, CA, 2024
Lesley Klecan, St. Mary’s School, OR, 2016
Alice Kleeman, Menlo-Atherton School, CA, 2014
Melissa Kotačka, Carolina Friends School, NC, 2018
Raquel Laiz, Benjamin Franklin HS, OR, 2019
Crys Latham, Washington Latin Public Charter School, DC, 2012
Whitney Laughlin, College Horizons, NM, 2009
Carolynn Laurenza, Uncommon Charter School, NY, 2014
Chat Leonard, Metro Academic and Classical High School, MO, 2019
DeVonta Lee, Bellaire High School, TX, 2020
Stacy Lightfoot, Chattanooga School for Creative Arts, TN, 2011
Carmen Lopez, College Horizons, NM, 2024
Joy Maguire, Westside High School, TX, 2020
Emmanuel Manu, W.E.B. Dubois High School/CollegeBound Foundation of Baltimore, MD, 2012
Ann Marano, Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, TX, 2017
Cynthia Markoch, Eastside High School, FL, 2009
Elisabeth Marksteiner, International School of Zug and Luzern, Switzerland, 2013
Gabrielle Matthews, College Advising Corps (Boston University) for Community Academy of Science and Health, 2022
Jasmin McClendon, College Bound Initiative, NY, 2018
Lynda McGee, Downtown Magnets High School, CA, 2009
Christopher Miller, Sandy Spring Friends School, MD, 2023
Karen Minvielle, Counterpane Montessori School, GA, 2016
Victoria Monroe, Mechanicsburg High School, OH, 2021
Jim Montague, Boston Latin School, MA, 2011
Toni Marie O’Daniel, Hmong College Prep Academy, MN, 2020
Diana Olivarez, Camino Nuevo Charter High School, CA, 2012
Delia Olmos-Garcia, Willamette Academy, OR, 2022
Melanie Onufrieff, Deerfield Academy, MA, 2023
Kathy Ortman, American International School of Guangzhou, China, 2014
Tobi Oves, Ocean City High School, NJ, 2020
Gretchen Parks, Academy of the Sacred Heart, MI, 2013
Ginger Patron, Patapsco High School, MD, 2011
Lisa Pederson, Mounds Park Academy, MN, 2021
Carl Peterson, Forest Hills Eastern High School, MI, 2009
Morgan Phillips, St. Mary’s School, NC, 2021
Brian Rauscher, Peak to Peak Charter School, CO, 2017
Sheena Reed, Metairie Park Country Day School, LA, 2019
Sam Ritter, Davis New Mexico Scholarship, NM, 2021
Chris Rodriguez, The Branson School, CA, 2018
Margaret Rosenbaum, Uplift Summit International Preparatory, TX, 2017
Andrea Rusk, Mundelein High School, IL, 2020
Rebecca Rutsky, Alabama School of Fine Arts, AL, 2010
Joe Sailors, Campus High School, KS, 2016
Charlette Genne S. Santiago, Tiyan High School, Guam, 2024
Stephanie Shandra, MMI Prep, PA, 2014
Margaret Smith, Chattanooga School of the Arts and Sciences, TN, 2011
Jeff Stahlman, New Albany High School, NY, 2011
Paula Steiner, Prairie Ridge High School, IL, 2016
Anna Takahashi, Eastside College Preparatory School, CA, 2016
Alice Tanaka, Holy Names Academy, WA, 2015
Nanette Tarbouni, John Burroughs School, MO, 2015
Karen Tcheyan, CollegeTracks at Wheaton High School, MD, 2011
Gisela Terner, Independent Counselor, WI, 2014
Tela Thigpen, Freedom Preparatory Academy, TN, 2020
Darryl Tiggle, Friends School of Baltimore, MD, 2021
Bob Turba, Stanton College Prep, FL, 2014
Terry Ullram, Watkinson School, CT, 2012
Eva Varellas Kanellis, Anatolia College (Thessaloniki), Greece, 2015
Elena Walsh, Benjamin Franklin High School, MD, 2021
Stephanie Walsh, Seabury Hall, HI, 2025
Sierra Ward, Saratoga High School, CA, 2025
M.L. Weber, Freedom Preparatory Academy, TN, 2023
Hermela Welday, Institute for East African Councils on Higher Education, DC, 2018
Jean Whalen, Pine Richland High School, PA, 2011
Christopher Wolf, Nicholas Senn High School, IL, 2023
Rose Yackley, Achieve Twin Cities: Humboldt High School, MN, 2023
Teng Yang, Democracy Prep, NY, 2019
Matt Ybarra, Santa Fe Preparatory School, NM, 2021
Lenni Yesner, Bard High School Early College Queens, NY, 2020
Ashley Young, Charles R. Drew Senior Academy, GA, 2018
Robert Zapotocky, The Galloway School, GA, 2013
Susan Zarwell, University School of Milwaukee, WI, 2014
Pedro Zuniga, Gear UP at Harlingen High School, TX, 2022

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