Cody Dailey – Lyons Township High School (LaGrange, Illinois)
Nominated by Carin Smith, Domestic Recruitment Manager & Chicago Based Representative, Beloit College

Kathy Garrett, Minds Matter Portland (Portland, Oregon)
Nominated by Dev Devvrat, Associate Dean of Admission, Reed College

A retired school counselor, Kathy Garrett  brings decades of experience and an insatiable curiosity for learning all she can about the college admission process to her work with the students of Minds Matter Portland. 

A true social justice leader, Kathy ensures that she not only treats each student with respect and kindness, she focuses on guiding students to find schools that will welcome and celebrate their identities. She helps students think beyond just the first year of college and to focus on their interests and vision of a fantastic undergraduate experience that makes possible the goals and futures they dream about.

Kathy is keenly focused on guiding students through the often complex journey of paying for college. As they discover scholarships and assess financial fit, they start to understand that affordability is just as crucial as ensuring the campus culture and community align with the student’s values and aspirations. 

She is a natural motivator and enthusiastic life coach. Kathy literally and figuratively meets students where they are, criscrossing the city to meet with students regularly at their high schools and connecting them to the resources they need to be successful. Because she believes that the family goes to college, she understands the generational benefits of higher education and prioritizes staying engaged with parents. 

Kathy is a true change maker whose dedication to students is unrivaled.

 

Jason Harris – College Now Greater Cleveland (Cleveland, Ohio)
Nominated by April Gamble, Associate Director & Coordinator of Counselor Initiatives, College of Wooster

As the Scholarship and Financial Aid Specialist at College Now of Greater Cleveland, Jason Harris provides highly individualized, intentionally student-centered support for students. He is invested in their long-term success, from the initial college search through the maze of financial aid and enrolling in their best fit undergraduate community.

Jason and his College Now colleagues know how important it is for students to see themselves as college bound and thriving as undergraduates, so they facilitate regular visits to colleges and universities. He plans virtual visits and interviews, and works with local schools to coordinate college fairs, so that students are exposed to a wide variety of post-secondary options and institutions. 

Jason practices holistic college counseling, focused on helping students align their choices with their personal values and aspirations and ensuring they thoroughly consider their personal investment and long term outcomes. Through his guidance, students come to understand that they have a range of choices and  they learn to prioritize what truly matters to them. This thoughtful approach fosters a deeper engagement in the college search and application process, leading to self-discovery and more confident decision-making. 

Jason also works to connect students to mentors from over 500 companies and organizations across Cleveland because he recognizes the lifelong benefits of these partnerships and how important it is for first-generation college bound students from low-income and historically excluded backgrounds to create professional networks.

 

Mo Kim – SEO Scholars (San Francisco, California)
Nominated by Seda Bagiryan, Assistant Dean of Admissions, International and Multicultural Recruitment, St. Olaf College

Mo brings a dynamic and multifaceted approach to his work with students. Known for his strong commitment to them, he is their coach, cheerleader, advisor, and mentor, tailoring his support to meet the unique needs of each individual. His enthusiasm for fostering personal growth and academic success creates an environment where students feel seen, encouraged, and empowered. Mo’s dedication ensures that every student he works with not only ably navigates the challenges of their educational journey but also emerges with a clearer sense of purpose and confidence in their abilities.

Mo respects each student’s individual journey, listens attentively, and identifies what each needs to be successful.  He helps them discover supporting undergraduate communities where they will have access to a wide range of academic resources and co-curricular opportunities.

As a lifelong learner, Mo continually expands his knowledge and stays on top of trends in college admissions. He understands the importance of relationships and networks, particularly as he challenges systemic barriers and empowers students through higher education. He is committed to changing the odds by guiding students to break free from the narratives assigned to them and reclaim their stories.

 

 

Charlette Genne S. Santiago – Tiyan High School (Barrigada, Guam)
Nominated by Mateo Buack, Admission Counselor, Saint Mary’s College of California

This world changer is intensely dedicated to helping her students dream boldly: her approach weaves together an ethos of cultural pride and academic aspiration. She urges her students to carry their love for Guam and their family values as a source of strength and identity while attending college off-island.

As a visionary, she believes in the transformative power of higher education and sees it as a bridge to both personal and community growth. She works tirelessly to ensure her students not only grasp the richness of opportunities available to them but also understand how those opportunities can align with their heritage and values. Her guidance is not merely transactional; it’s transformational. She helps her students envision lives filled with purpose and promise, making them feel seen, heard, and capable of greatness.

Her devotion is absolute and unwavering. Whether she’s coaching a student on application essays, mentoring them through moments of doubt, or guiding them toward discovering vibrant communities both on and off the island, her passion shines through. She inspires her students to honor their roots while daring to embrace new and diverse experiences, cultivating a balance that leads to professional and personal success.

Sarah Jane Gibbons — Millennium Brooklyn High School (NY)
Nominated by Christopher Muñoz-Calene of Clark University

As she advises and guides students through the college search and admission process, Sarah Jane is intensely focused on empowering them to find their best learning and living community.  She enthusiastically coaches them to discover what they truly value and hope for from their post-secondary experience. They become experts at translating facts and statistics from brochures and presentations with Sarah Jane’s wise counsel. She role models self-advocacy in the search process and students learn quickly how to navigate to the information they really need.

Year after year she is excited to work with students as they navigate it all, helping them to learn more about themselves as they find the places and spaces that will challenge and support them and their goals. Sarah Jane keeps up with alumni, sharing their progress with her school’s administration and the admissions officers who visit each year.

She uses alumni stories to empower and educate the next generation of college bound scholars and changemakers; she encourages admission officers to do the same. Sarah Jane takes the time to update all stakeholders to sustain a college going culture and to create networks of support. She is a trusted advisor and mentor whose feedback is welcomed and valued by both those she counsels and other college access professionals.

Chris Miller — Sandy Spring Friends School (MD)
Nominated by Philippa Roberts of Eckerd College

Early in the college search process, Chris collaborates with his students to identify and prioritize what factors, criteria, values, programs, co-curricular opportunities, outcomes, and campus personalities matter the most. After they’ve partnered to curate an initial list of institutions that interest them, he challenges students to pinpoint why exactly each institution might be a good match. They create their own personalized rankings to use as they are researching and evaluating potential fit. Chris recognizes that students have thousands of options, and he uplifts their power to choose. He does a fantastic job of advising parents and families on both concepts.

An enthusiastic advisor, mentor, and coach, Chris practices whole-student college counseling. He treasures origin stories and lived experiences, affirms student’s identities, keeps up with what’s going on in their daily lives, intentionally checks-in on a regular basis, monitors their stress levels, celebrates academic and personal milestones, and is truly present and available. His relationships with them are rooted in mutual respect and authentic connection: students trust him because they know he deeply cares and sees them as completely unique individuals. Chris really knows them and represents them and their interests thoroughly and honestly from search to decision. Admission counselors trust his recommendations and advocacy. Chris’s service to the college admission profession via several counselor advisory boards, regional and national organizations, and access and advocacy initiatives makes him a true leader in the field.

Melanie Onufrieff — Deerfield Academy (MA)
Nominated by Erin Hutchinson of Earlham College

When students come to Melanie as juniors new to her caseload, they are laser-focused on college. She doesn’t start talking to them about college until she first spends a substantial amount of time getting to know them and helping them to get to know themselves. She does a wonderful job of reframing the college search as one that highlights the individual student as the prize a college should be seeking, rather than the college as the prize that the student is seeking.

Melanie is able to see the strengths in every student and bring those out into the light, giving the student an opportunity to see themselves in a new light. She makes it very clear to every student that they are special and more than enough, just as they are, regardless of college outcomes. She helps them realize that they deserve more than just a school with high rankings, they deserve a school that will celebrate and nurture them as they continue to grow. Melanie is all about affirming and empowering students. She is their lifelong champion and cheerleader for life.

M.L. Weber — Freedom Preparatory Academy (TN)
Nominated by Zoe Scott, formerly of Rhodes College

M.L. Web works closely with her mostly first-generation college bound students from limited income backgrounds to name and face the fears they have about the college experience and then together they flip the narrative that tells them they aren’t ready or capable. M.L. approaches them and college counseling from a strengths outlook, challenging the deficit mindset as they make their way from prospective college student to first year – and beyond – undergraduate.

While she helps her students uncover and understand what matters most to them about their college experience, she encourages them to consider the level of support they think they will seek out and how to assess whether or not a particular post-secondary community can provide that. M.L. reminds them that they will find advisors, mentors, and resources that will support them. She reaches out to alumni to underscore these messages and serve as a chosen, extended family.  M.L. recognizes the power of near peer networking, the importance of creating generational connections, and teaching self-advocacy.

With her guidance, students quickly learn that they belong at the center of the college search and that their values and wish lists drive it. She regularly chaperones weekend campus visits for groups of students, believing it is a terrific learning lab for the college admission process. Students are encouraged to connect with their admission counselors, ask all of their questions, and remember that they are not going through this process alone.

Christopher Wolf — Nicholas Senn HIgh School (IL)
Nominated by Thea Clarkberg of Earlham College

Chris and his extensive, innovative college counseling programming encourage students to look at a wide variety of schools. They are inspired by his enthusiastic recommendations to discover and research all different types of colleges and universities in lots of geographic locations; institutions that are less well-known, schools with quirky personalities, places that offer uncommon academic options and co-curricular activities. Chris looks past the traditionally published rankings to help students construct their own rubrics. Over the years students have explored and found their way to an impressive, diverse assortment of schools.

Chris believes that helping students find their best match means finding the institutions that will provide the support and community they need to be successful, from their first semester through their post-graduate lives. He focuses on a fit-first philosophy and celebrating all choices. His attitude and approach open students’ minds, reinforcing the belief that they will find their next best homes. Students entrust him with their histories and journeys, which he uplifts, honors, and learns from.

They understand how invested he is in their success. He shows up for them as a college advisor, English teacher, and cross country coach: they show up in impressive numbers at the events he coordinates throughout the year. Chris is also deeply committed to connecting and partnering with admission professionals, colleges, and universities to better serve students.

Rose Yackley — Achieve Twin Cities – Humboldt High School (MN)
Nominated by Shannon Cron of St. Olaf College

Rose creates super engaging content and supportive spaces for all students to explore their post-secondary options. Incredibly affirming and enthusiastic, she truly cares about each student as an individual; her patience and keen listening skills make it possible for her to meet each student where they are. She is endlessly supportive, helping students understand how to apply the skills gained during the college search process in other areas of their lives.

Rose’s nominator shared that “students light up when they work with her because they feel seen and less stressed about all the uncertainty of the admission process.” Rose has a robust sense of humor and believes in sharing laughter and joy with her students and colleagues. She shows up for her students and honors their lived experiences, reminding them there is strength in what they have walked through.

Rose teaches students how to confidently ask direct questions to get the information they need to make informed decisions. They learn how to reflect on why they want to attend college, their individual interests, and non-negotiables. She introduces them to different types of schools, encouraging them to think critically about how their needs and goals would be addressed and supported.

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 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.