Profile: Katie McEnroe

Katie McEnroe

Associate Director of College Counseling

Holton-Arms School (Bethesda, MD)

How long have you been in admissions/college counseling?

I'm going into my 5th year in Admissions/College Counseling. I had the privilege to start my career in the Washington College Admissions Office in Chestertown, MD. I worked for Washington College for 4 years in different capacities.  First, I was an administrative assistant in the Admissions Office and an assistant field hockey coach. I learned a great deal about what it takes to process inquires, visits and applications. I also got to learn a lot about the role athletics plays in enrollment and admissions. This was invaluable information when I moved into my full-time role as an Admission Counselor. During my years as an Admission Counselor, I was supported by my office to explore the world of Higher Education through the NACAC and PCACAC organizations, and I became extremely interested in college access. When the very unique Baltimore Regional Representative position opened up at Washington College, I knew it was the perfect position for me. As a Regional, I would be able to interact with students even more while still working towards my enrollment goals. After my year working in Baltimore City and County, I realized what I loved most about my job was counseling students. So, in July I took a role as the Associate Director of College Counseling at the Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, MD.

How did you get started in college counseling/admissions?

Even though I loved my Biology major, I didn't fall in love with any of the internships that I did through my time in college. I instead, fell in love with a job a got as a Senior Admissions Fellow at Bates College in Lewiston ME. In this role, my supervisor exposed me to the behind the scenes parts of admissions, such as application review and enrollment practices. I also loved learning about the business of higher education. 

What's your favorite admissions/counseling memory?

I have a tons of moments working with fantastic, passionate, and intelligent colleagues who challenge me to think bigger and better. But honestly, my favorite moments are with my students and the young professionals that I'm mentoring.  These memories generally fall into two categories:

1.  The moment when the students trust that I have their best interest in mind
2.  The moment when I help them understand how much they have to offer this world 

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

Say “Yes” to everything that you think is a good opportunity in front of you and then get ready to  
work! And remember, no matter where you are in your career or knowledge-base, you always have something to bring to the conversation!

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

I would most likely be working at an NPO with Public Health. I love science, policy and how these organizations help society by helping individuals. 

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

I don't like Chocolate!

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

This is a very tough question! I’m passionate about many different trends and issues. I think the three main topics I find myself thinking about the most each day are college access, college rankings, and the cost of higher education.

College Access: How are we supporting education for all people in America? Is there a way we can do it better? What are some good examples around the world and are they applicable to the United States System?

College Cost:  Cost and Access often go hand-in-hand. It takes a lot of money to keep a school going, but can we lower the cost without impacting the students’ experience? What should be a norm on campuses?

College Ranking: Are the rankings of schools hurting or helping our student? I have been asked to explain, “Why is your chemistry program good?” What does “good” mean, and how can we accurately measure programs so that information will be useful to students?

Profile: Carl Ahlgren

Carl with his son

Carl Ahlgren

Director of College Counseling

Gilman School (MD)

How long have you been in admissions/college counseling?

This fall I will begin my 20th year as a college counselor.  It feels very strange to say that (write that) out loud.  

How did you get started in college counseling/admissions?

I was in my third year of teaching History and Religion in the middle division of Casady School (OK), when my good friend and sometimes NACAC roommate, Tom Colt (now at Shady SIde Academy (PA)) decided to leave the associate college counseling position at Casady’s upper school so he could begin his graduate degree.  The Headmaster asked if I was interested in interviewing for the position.  I was,   and it all worked out in the end.

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

Leadership is service.  Find a role where you are confident you can contribute, serve others, and improve our profession, even in small ways.  My friend and colleague Marcia Hunt at Pinecrest School (FL) once said something like:  “Being a leader doesn’t mean you’re any better than anyone at anything.  It just means you stay up an extra hour to get some important work done.”  I like that line and think about it often.

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

I’ve always regretted not pursuing something in theatre.  Not so much acting, but anything that would connect me to the life of the theatre - musical or drama.   That could be sets, writing, anything really.  Growing up in New York, my mother dragged me to shows on Broadway and off-Broadway when I was in grade school.  Eventually, she didn’t have to drag me.  I probably know the lyrics to more show tunes than most 48 year old male basketball coaches, and I am oddly proud of that.   I also could see myself very happy  cooking in a restaurant or in journalism.  

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

During my college years, I stepped away from being a full time student, took night courses, and during the day worked in  NYC and the surrounding suburbs as a professional carpet and upholstery cleaner.  There were two of us to a van (the “truck”). I was the Assistant Crew Chief, and the driver was the Crew Chief.  We drove all over NYC, cleaning carpets, furniture, and sometimes clearing out flooded basements, which was a pretty miserable part of an otherwise cool job.  The most beautiful and breathtaking homes I have ever entered are those whose carpets I cleaned.  It was also the start of my understanding the ways that class shapes people’s lives.

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

The crisis of under-matching or mismatching has received increased attention these past 4 or 5 years, but there are still too many seniors in the nation making poor and uninformed decisions about their college destination.  And sadly, these decisions will have a direct impact on the course and contours of their lives.  Most of the press and research has rightly focused on the low income families.  The inability of so many families, across a broad socioeconomic spectrum, to make thoughtful and informed college decisions is frustrating and sad to many of us in this work.  

I feel I need to add more more trend and concern.  Admission/enrollment leadership has lost too many good people to early retirement and other professions over the past five years.  The expectations that college presidents and Boards have made upon enrollment managers have, too often, been unconnected to institutional quality and the education of undergraduates.  Instead,  ambitious colleges and universities seek improved metrics, like selectivity, for reasons more connected to market position and rankings, rather than the learning and teaching mission of the school.

Profile: David "Butch" Hamilton

David "Butch" Hamilton

Dir. College Advising/School Counseling

St. Mary's Ryken HS

How long have you been in your current position at St. Mary's Ryken HS? How long have you been there total? 

11 years.

How did you get started in college counseling/admissions? 

I was tour guide as an undergrad (Allegheny College ’85) and thought admissions might be a good field. Received a master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education and entered college admissions at the University of Delaware. Eleven years there and now eighteen on the college advising side.

What's your favorite counseling memory? 

Every once in a while, a senior will stop by my office to tell me where they are attending in the fall. Even before they say the name of the school, they excitedly tell me all the little things they love about their destination. In my eyes, that signifies they have “respected the process” and the process respected them back. It is not only a great fit but perhaps it signifies an even better fit once they enroll, persist, and graduate in four years.

What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue leadership in PCACAC and/or NACAC? Find a topic or cause that you care deeply about and volunteer on a committee that tackles that issue. Learn, contribute, have fun and repeat!

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

Training and competing full-time for CrossFit events and obstacle course races. Sitting on a beach and watching the waves roll in on a sunny day would get boring pretty quickly.

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

I have visited over 215 different colleges and universities.

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

As Chair of the PCACAC Current Trends and Future Issues committee, I would say every current trend and future issue grabs my attention. To choose one, I would say that our profession needs to evolve ahead of a rapidly changing higher education landscape.

Current Trends July 2015

The Current Trends and Future Issues committee will periodically post links to articles and resources related to college admission and/or guidance.  Even if we don’t all agree with these articles, we hope they will be thought-provoking and spark a discussion among our members.  Have an article you’d like to add?  Email a link to dhamilton@smrhs.org.

Featured:

The following is a PDF of the presentation by members of the CTFI committee at the PCACAC Spring Conference on April 21, 2015:

PCACAC 50th AnnualConference - Closing Session: "This is Now, What is Next?"

Summer 2015 Articles

The College Application Process

Are college admissions applications outdated and inefficient?

Emerging Trends in Public University Admissions

Unfair Admissions Criteria?

The Future of Testing

Allegheny College Admissions To Go Test Optional Starting With Class Entering in Fall 2016

In College and Beyond

Here's What Will Truly Change Higher Education: Online Degrees That Are Seen As Official

The Challenge of the First-Generation Student

Outside Reading

Million-Dollar Murray

50 for 50: James Pennix

James Pennix

Dean of Admissions

Radford University (VA)

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

I have been at Radford University as the Dean of Admissions since 2010. I have been in my current (joint) position as Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Management since 2012. 

How did you get started in college counseling/admissions?

I actually worked in the Sales world for 10 years prior to higher education. I was an Assistant Basketball coach at Roanoke College while working on my Master’s degree in Social Work at Radford University. Part of my coaching duties was to help the admissions office with college fairs during the off-season of coaching. I was pretty good at the recruitment end for admissions. When I graduate with my MSW, I accepted an Assistant Director position in the Admissions office and continued to advance in the field. I have been called to serve students in understanding this college admissions process.

What's your favorite counseling memory?

There are really too many to think about, but I once had a student who was trying to choose between Roanoke College and UVA. She was dead set on attending Roanoke and majoring in Biology. The she wanted to go to UVA for medical school. She deposited and was all set until mid-April. She received the Jefferson Scholarship from UVA but felt committed to attending Roanoke. Her mom called and asked if I would talk with the student because the Jefferson Scholarship was too good to turn down. We met and talked for a while and I told her that she should do what was best for her and the family. She needed to know that I was alright with her choosing UVA. I told her that it was a great opportunity and follow her heart. She enrolled at UVA, and we are big buds on Facebook. She will graduate this year with her Biology degree.

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

Get involved right away in your office and the association. Do not wait for someone to give an invitation. Just show up to these conferences and jump right in helping out. Ultimately, you will be on committee and find your passion area to serve students and the organization.

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

I would probably be a college or high school basketball coach. I enjoy the sport and have coached many young folks who have gone on to great collegiate careers.

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

I am the youngest in my family (8 of 8) and the first to attend and graduate from college with a Bachelors and Master’s degree. I am also the biggest Spiderman fan over 40 years old, and I have a Spiderman full outfit.

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

Affordability and access is a joint issue that I am passionate about for prospective students and families. In the same conversation, I believe that PCACAC and all admission professionals must continue to educate students on the process of making college affordable, therefore more attainable. I was a first generation student from a single parent low-income household and had to figure everything out for me and my mom.

***Interested in being featured in the Anchor? Email Aundra Weissert at aweissert2@washcoll.edu to get started.***

Barbara Conner Outlines Strategy For Success in the College Exploration Process

 

PCACAC member and leader Barbara Conner (Foxcroft School, VA), outlines a strategy for success for students and families going through the college exploration process. Recently published in the Journal of College Admission Spring 2015 issue, this article suggests a change in approach: selecting five first-choice colleges instead of designating schools as "reach, zone, or safety." Read the full article here. Congratulations to Barbara!

 

 

 

Is that Phone Call Ethical?

We'd like to introduce you to a new, on-going effort from the Admission Practices Committee. Throughout the year, we plan to bring you thoughts concerning timely and relevant ethical issues. These thoughts are meant to proactively start discussions about issues you may face.

For professionals on both sides of the desk, May 1 is an important date that symbolically ends the admission cycle. But for many students, families and admission counselors, the process is not finished. For example, over the coming days and weeks, some colleges will move to the waitlist. Often, this process will start as a phone call from an admission officer to a student asking whether the student is still interested in the college or offering admission. But, is this phone call ethical?

As you work with students through this process, we encourage you to remember that, at our core, the NACAC Statement of Principles and Good Practices (SPGP) is about treating students properly. Therefore, while it may seem great to get students news—often by phone—as quickly as possible, we need to remember that the student needs to be treated fairly and that the SPGP can guide us.  According to SPGP Mandatory Practices Section II B 6, “All postsecondary members agree that they will establish wait list procedures that ensure that no student on any wait list is asked for a deposit to remain on the wait list or for a commitment to enroll prior to receiving an official written offer of admission. Written notification may include mail or electronic communications.”

Given this direction, there is a gray area for phone calls. On one hand, it would be fair to call a student to make sure (s)he is still interested in the specific college before admission; but, the college cannot ask for a commitment. Even though the college could tell the student that (s)he is admitted, it is imperative that the college allows that the student has the right to get the decision in writing before asking for a commitment.

Once that official admission offer has been made, NACAC’s SPGP can further guide us as professionals. According to NACAC’s SPGP Best Practices II B 2, “All postsecondary members should allow students a reasonable amount of time (at least 72 hours or May 1, whichever is later) to respond to an offer of admission from that institution’s wait list and gain admission to that institution’s incoming class. This offer of admission should be a written or electronic communication to the student. Postsecondary institutions should also strive to fully inform wait list students of their financial aid and housing opportunities, if different from their normal policies. Postsecondary institutions should not require a commitment from a student until the financial aid award and housing options, if any, have been provided.” Please note, this statement is not a Mandatory Practice as the previous one, but a Best Practice which takes into account that the process needs to be flexible given specific circumstances.

As the admission process for the high school class of 2015 wraps up, waitlist is only one issue that may arise. NACAC’s SPGP can provide us direction on a variety of issues. The SPGP is available on the NACAC webpage at: http://www.nacacnet.org/about/Governance/Policies/Documents/SPGP_10_4_2014_FINAL.pdf.

Or, you may contact Lou Hirsh, the current AP Chair, at louhirsh@udel.edu or Jake Talmage, Vice-chair of Admissions Practices, at jtalmage@stpaulsschool.org if you have questions or concerns.