Profile: Judy Hingle

Judy Hingle

College Access Fairfax (VA)

How long have you been in admissions/college counseling? Share your journey story!

After many years as a mortgage loan office, I needed a change of direction into a better personal fit.  My ambition was to find a job that I would be happy to volunteer for.  A friend asked if I had ever considered school counseling, since I was an active volunteer in the schools.  I began the school counseling MEd program at Virginia Tech and worked as a sub in the local schools to gain both academic and on the job experience. As a part of a career counseling course, I interviewed a Career Center Specialist at Mount Vernon HS and discovered my focus - post secondary counseling.  After completing my degree program, I elected to job share in that same Career Center rather than take a school counselor position.  The pay was less, but the fit for me was better.  In eight years at MVHS, I had the opportunity to work with a wonderfully wide variety of students and learned something new every day.  Student goals ranged from being a first generation ESL high school graduate to continuing family traditions of highly selective college graduation.

After eight years in Fairfax County Public Schools, I was intrigued by an opening at NACAC in their Professional Development department. I applied on a whim, and ended up with the fantastic opportunity to work with college admission professionals from around the globe to provide the college admission training and resources for their unique environments.  As Director of Professional Development, I was fortunate to learn from professional association staff and fantastic volunteers about college opportunities for students in a much broader context.

Once again, a friend played a role in career change for me, when she encouraged me to apply for the position of Career Connections Specialist at the central office for Fairfax County Public Schools.  My school counseling degree, school experience and NACAC background all came together to prepare me to act as the training and resource specialist for K-12 school counseling professionals in this large public school district.  

How did you get started in college counseling/admissions?

I've always been a planner, looking forward to the next step, the next possibility.  Working with the college process, including all post secondary destinations, matches my future focus.

What's your favorite admissions/counseling memory?

I have a distinct memory of a a presentation to Juniors in a "regular" high school English class. When I talked about the many paths to college and all the colleges that accept and support those "regular" students, once student looked up at me and asked, "There's a place for me?"  That student turned a mediocre transcript into a upward trending documentation of determination, started at community college and eventually completed a Bachelor's degree.  

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

It's important to realize how much this group learns from each other.  This is an ever-evolving profession and no one has all the answers all the time.  Be open to learning and sharing from everyone you meet.

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

Is there a professional reading position available?  I love to gather new information and experiences from the thoughts and words of other people.

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

My wedding anniversary is April Fools Day.  We've been discussing who was the bigger fool for 44 years.

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

There are two areas I've chosen to continue working with in retirement - financial aid and professionalism in college counseling.  I work with a local organization, College Access Fairfax, to provide FAFSA completion support for families and early awareness for about paying for college for middle school parents. Paying for college has become a perceived deterrent  for many families.  Offering updated information and advocacy for for affordability is vital to the future plans of most students.

I am also a commissioner for the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners, a non-profit group that offers certification for public and private school counselors and independent educational consultants in the areas of college, schools, and other special needs alternatives. Our profession should have standards that expect all of us to demonstrate extensive knowledge, expertise and experience in the field of educational planning. Our students and families deserve no less.