50 for 50: Michael D. Carter

Michael D. Carter, Ph.D.

Director of College Counseling,

St.Stephen's & St.Agnes School

Immediate Past-President of PCACAC (2013-14)

How long have you been in your current position at St.Stephen's & St. Agnes ? How long have you been there total?

I have been in the College Office of St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School for thirteen years, the past ten as Director of College Counseling. I have worked at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School for a total of sixteen years, the first three as a member of the history department faculty.

How did you get started in college counseling/admissions?

Having served in the U.S. Army after graduating from W&L and doing some time in the corporate world before grad school and ultimately finding myself at SSSAS, I was open to the possibilities of administrator positions. Joan Holden, Head of School, approached me after Brian Leipheimer (now Director of College Counseling at Collegiate School in Richmond and a former PCACAC board member) announced that he was relocating to Richmond. She offered me the chance to become a College Counselor, which I was happy to take. I have been in that role ever since. At the time, Lisa Pence was the Director of the College Office and I learned a tremendous amount from her in my first three years as a counselor. When she left to take on the position of Upper School Director at Holton-Arms, I moved up.

What's your favorite admissions/counseling memory?

My favorite college counseling moment happens each year in December, when students from my high school who graduated in June, return to visit and tell the members of my office about all of their college experiences as freshmen.

What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue leadership in PCACAC and/or NACAC?

If someone were interested in pursuing a leadership role in PCACAC or NACAC, my advice is twofold; volunteer and step outside your comfort zone. What I mean is this - volunteer, but be undaunted about it - don't just fill out a form, meet people in the organizations, start conversations, and be persistent about your desire to serve. Second, be willing to take on responsibilities that you might not initially feel drawn towards. Any opportunity to serve, regardless of the capacity or issue involved, is a chance to gain experience and meet more people in the field. It also creates opportunities in the future.

If not working in admissions/college counseling, what else could you see yourself pursuing?

If not in college counseling, I would be back in the classroom teaching history and coaching.

What's one thing that most people don't know about you?

Most people probably don't know that I am an avid waterfowler. Anything involving ducks and geese immediately gets my attention. I am very involved in Virginia Ducks Unlimited, an organization that supports wetlands conservation.

What's a current trend or future issue you're passionate about right now? And why?

The current trend or future issue that I am most concerned about is the rising cost of college and how that will continue to dominate the landscape of the college process. Access to a higher education is becoming more and more difficult and I believe that there is a polarizing effect on our campuses that is already taking place.

*** To Celebrate Potomac Chesapeake's 50th Conference Anniversary, we're highlighting some of our current members. Each week until the conference at The Homestead in Spring 2015, a new member will be posted. Interested in participating? Email Aundra Weissert at aweissert2@washcoll.edu to get started.***

50 for 50: Mike Oligmueller

Mike Oligmueller

Director of College Counseling, The Potomac School (VA)

How long have you been in your current position at Potomac School?

Three years

How did you get started in college counseling/admissions?

I was a speech therapy major in college, but early in my senior year, I realized that I did not want to be a speech therapist. I then wandered into the career placement office (which was what it was called in 1983), and a counselor suggested that I try college admissions; it was a career that required a bachelor's degree but not in a specific major. After applying for about 100 positions (not all in admissions), I got a job at Wabash College as an admission counselor.

What's your favorite counseling memory?

Having a student tell me on her high school graduation day that I was like the dad she wished her father had been able to be.

What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue leadership in PCACAC and/or NACAC?

Run like the wind! Show up and listen more than you talk. 

If not working in college counseling, what else could you see yourself pursuing?

Retirement.

What's one thing that most people don't know about you?

I paid for my first year of college with the money I made from raising and then selling a herd of pigs.

What's a current trend or future issue you're passionate about right now? And why?

The increasing difficulty of many families to afford college. I believe that higher education is a path to changing lives, and it seems that a larger percentage of students in this country, as a result of not being able to attend or finish college, will not be able to live the lives they may want to live.

*** To Celebrate Potomac Chesapeake's 50th Conference Anniversary, we're highlighting some of our current members. Each week until the conference at The Homestead in Spring 2015, a new member will be posted. Interested in participating? Email Aundra Weissert at aweissert2@washcoll.edu to get started.***

50 for 50: Audrey Hill

Audrey Hill

Transfer Counselor & Professor

Montgomery College, Germantown, MD

Retiring in 2015

How long have you been in your current position at Montgomery College? How long have you been there total?

I have been a Transfer Counselor and Professor at Montgomery College for 11 years. Prior to this I was a Secondary School Counselor for the Montgomery County Public School  (MD) system for 34 years.  On June 30, 2014 I will be celebrating my 45th year in education and I will be retiring that day.

 

How did you get started in college counseling/admissions?

I taught for 2 years before becoming a school counselor. In public school counseling, you are a generalist who wears many hats and college counseling was just one of many responsibilities I did in any given day. After my first year, I heard about a regional organization called the Potomac & Chesapeake Association of College Admissions Counselors (old name) and I attended their Spring Conference. I was fascinated at the amount of information I received from the workshops and amazed at the wonderful colleagues I met who were willing to share tidbits to assist me in the college admissions process. I was “on fire” when I left the conference and  I have been “on fire” ever since.

 

What’s your favorite admissions/counseling memory?

I have had many memorable counseling memories during my career, but I have a “blooper” PCACAC memory that I will never forget. After my first PCACAC Conference I was appointed Human Relations Chair for the organization. So for the next PCACAC Conference, I was invited to sit on the dais for the luncheon.  I was seated with Joe Monte on my right & a man I did not know on my left.  After the luncheon speaker the presentation of the Richard L. Apperson award was the next item on the agenda. Just to make conversation during this short break in the action, I (in my naivety) asked, “When did this Apperson guy die?” The man on my left said in a jovial response, “He did not die…I’m sitting right here”. At that moment Joe Monte broke out into this loud, hearty laugh, but I was so embarrassed I wanted to slide under the table.

 

What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue leadership in PCACAC and or NACAC?

My advice would be to get involved on a PCACAC committee. The committees are dependent on volunteer participation. Do not sit back and wait for someone to ask you to join, “just step-out” and volunteer for a committee that interests you. By volunteering you get to know the structure and culture of the  regional organization. This volunteer commitment could then lead to other leadership opportunities in the Regional and/or National Association.

 

If not working in admissions/college counseling, what else could you see yourself pursuing?

In September, I will be taking a course to become a Certified Lay Servant (Speaker) for the United Methodist Church. I am currently a Lay Leader and have been for 18 years. So, now I can give my full commitment to this once I am retired. Pray for me J

What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?

A few of my close PCACAC family know this, but most do not. I went to college on a Golf Scholarship. I attended Morgan State (MD) from 1965-1969 and played on the Men’s team because there were no women golfers. In 1968, my junior year,  the NCAA admitted black colleges. But they only admitted Women’s Golf & Women’s Tennis. They did not admit the major sports until later. That year the East Coast Regional Women’s Golf and Tennis tournament was held at the University of Maryland, College Park. Participants came from Maine to Florida. Morgan paid the entry fee for me and one of our tennis players to participate. It was a glorious day! I won the Golf tournament and our Tennis player won the Women’s Single tournament.

 

What’ the current trend or future issue you’re passionate about right now? And why?

I have two issues that I am passionate about. The first one is the “Endless Possibilities” at Community Colleges. It took me to work at a Community College to fully understand the many opportunities afforded to students. As a Transfer Counselor it gives me great pleasure to work with student to achieve the goals they want to pursue. And by being the Transfer Scholarship Coordinator, I am extremely pleased when they get a scholarship to a 4 year college/university.

The second issue is the rising cost of college. This issue sets me in a tail spin. I remember as a PCACAC & NACAC officer going to Capitol Hill during our Legislative Conference & speaker to national legislators about this issue over 20 years ago. But the price of college continues to increase by leaps and bounds. Something must be done because families are encountering stumbling blocks along the higher education path.

 

What’s next for you this year, when you retire? What are you looking forward to?

As I have mentioned, I will be serving in the United Methodist Church, traveling and spending precious time with my 15 month old grandson. J

 

*** To Celebrate Potomac Chesapeake's 50th Conference Anniversary, we're highlighting some of our current members. Each week until the conference at The Homestead in Spring 2015, a new member will be posted. Interested in participating? Email Aundra Weissert at aweissert2@washcoll.edu to get started.***