Awards
Each year, NACAC honors individuals for outstanding contributions and service to the field of education, the profession, and to our organization. Do you know a deserving individual who should be recognized for their service? Please nominate them (or yourself) for a NACAC award. The deadline for submitting nominations is Wednesday, April 15 at 5 p.m. ET. Questions? Please contact governance@nacacnet.org.
Congratulations to the 2025 award recipients. Expand each section to learn more about the award and learn about the winners.
Below are several (but not all) of the criteria that is taken into consideration when nominating an award recipient for the Margaret E. Addis Exceptional Service to NACAC Award.
- NACAC Membership: must be a current NACAC member
- Service to the association over an extended period through progressive volunteer leadership.
- Service to the association during a crisis or transition.
- Integral to defining policy or shaping responses on important issues.
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing NACAC’s mission and vision.
About the 2025 award winner, Stephen Pultz:
After 41 years in admission and enrollment, Steve retired in June 2025. He has worked in a variety of admission roles at Fordham University (NY), American University (D.C.), and for the past 25 years, at the University of San Diego (CA). As the first assistant vice president of enrollment at USD, he helped bring together the offices of Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar, and One Stop Student Services Center. His enrollment team helped launch the Torero Promise, a guaranteed admission program that meets the full demonstrated need for the Catholic Diocese high schools in San Diego, San Bernadino, and Riverside counties, in addition to the Monarch School and Cristo Rey High School of San Diego. Under his leadership, USD has recently become a Hispanic Serving Institution, and for 11 years, has enrolled a higher percentage of students of color than the year before. His professional engagements include serving in leadership roles in Western ACAC (WACAC), the National Catholic College Admission Association (NCCAA), and NACAC’s Board of Directors. He received his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University and master’s degree from Teachers College in New York.
Previous Award Winners:
- 2024 – Beth H. Gilfillan and Christopher W. Tremblay
- 2023 – David Burge
- 2022 – Jayne Caflin Fonash
- 2021 – NACAC Admission Practices Committee
- 2020 – Nancy Beane
- 2019 – David Kamimoto
- 2018 – The Steering Committee on Admission Practices under the leadership of Todd Rinehart
- 2017 – Lou Hirsh
- 2016 – Phyllis Gill
- 2015 – Alice Tanaka
- 2014 – Bridget Herrera
- 2013 – Frank Sachs
- 2012 – Patty Montague
- 2011 – Richard Powell
- 2010 – Peter Hauet
- 2009 – Samuel Moss
- 2008 – Carl ‘Sandy’ Behrend
- 2007 – Joseph Monte
- 2006 – Members of the Ad Hoc Committee on Graduate Coursework and Authors of the Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling: John Anderson, Robert Bardwell, Carl Behrend, Francis Bernstein, Susan Biemeret, Robin Brown, Elsa Clark, Steve George, Barbara Hall, Esther Hugo, Marybeth Kravets, Bradford MacGowan, Joseph Manning, Joan Mudge, Patrick O’Connor, Bill Pruden, Susan Rexford, Rebecca Rutsky, Rod Skinner, Jeffrey Smith, Susan Street, Scott White
- 2005 – Martin Wilder
- 2004 – Mary Hendry and William Neal (posthumous)
- 2003 – National College Fair Chairs Who Served the Program for More Than Five Years: Richard Bory, Mimi Grossman, Gwendolyn Hoover, Richard Hutchinson, Steve Kerge, Kathi Lecertua, Barbara Lowe, Frank Muzio, Susan Reantillo, Debbie Rupert, Marvin Sills, Alice Tanaka
- 2002 – Katy Murphy
- 2001 – Antonio Solorzano, Jr.
- 2000 – Audrey T. Hill
- 1999 – Patricia L. Burgh
- 1998 – William R. McClintick, Jr.
- 1997 – Marjorie S. Loennig
- 1996 – Mary Lee Hoganson
- 1995 – Margaret Williamson
- 1994 – Patricia Hawkins
- 1993 – Sharon M. Alston
- 1992 – Joyce E. Smith
- 1991 – Steven T. Syverson
- 1990 – Ron Ancrum
- 1989 – Joyce E. Suber
- 1988 – Carl F. Brown
- 1987 – Richard A. Stewart
- 1986 – Helen J. Pape
- 1984 – Sarah S. Heckscher
- 1983 – Conrad J. Sharrow
- 1981 – Ray A. Stines
- 1980 – Steven C. Munger
- 1979 – Joseph A. Monte
- 1977 – Anne M. Kennedy
- 1976 – Edward J. Yaw
- 1975 – Silas Purnell
- 1974 – George Giampetro
- 1973 – Richard Rowray
This award honors an individual(s) who advanced access to postsecondary education through a commitment to advocacy, ethical practices, and equity. NACAC members and non-members are eligible to receive this award.
About the 2025 award winner, David Hawkins:
David Hawkins is the chief education and policy officer for the National Association for College Admission Counseling, based in Arlington, Virginia. NACAC is a non-profit membership association that represents more than 28,000 high school counselors and college admission officers throughout the U.S. and around the world, and is devoted to making the transition between high school and postsecondary education equitable, transparent, and fair. David holds a bachelor’s and master’s in government from the College of William & Mary (VA). Prior to joining NACAC, he conducted research for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) in Washington, D.C. He also served under former President Bill Clinton as a congressional affairs specialist at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. David joined NACAC as director of government relations in March 2000, and over his 25 years with the association, has assumed responsibility for leading NACAC’s advocacy, research, education and training, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Previous Award Winners:
- 2024 – Justin Draeger
- 2023 – John Mahoney
- 2022 – Patrick O’Connor
- 2021 – The Nepal Justice League
- 2020 – The Shawn Carter Foundation
- 2019 – Joyce E. Smith
- 2018 – The ACCEPT Facebook group (Founded by Marie Bigham, Steve Frappier, and Brandi Smith)
- 2017 – William R. Fitzsimmons and Carmen Lopez
- 2016- Stacy Lightfoot
- 2015 – Dr. Trish Hatch, Dr. Sandy Savitz-Romer, Campus Pride and Shane Windmeyer
- 2014 – First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama
- 2013 – Nicole Farmer Hurd and Ted O’Neill
- 2012 – Greg Darnieder
- 2011 – Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
- 2010 – Steve Peifer
- 2009 – Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
- 2008 – Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
- 2007 – Loren Pope
- 2006 – Hugh O’Brian
- 2005 – Irving Fradkin
- 2004 – Rep. David Obey (D-WI)
- 2002 – Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-OH), Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL), and Rep. Betty McCullum (D-MN)
- 2001 – Lee C. Bollinger
- 2000 – Richard Riley
- 1999 – William G. Bowen and Derek Bok
- 1998 – Tom Joyner
- 1997 – Dr. Benjamin Carson
- 1996 – Peggy Cooper Cafritz
- 1995 – David L. Boren
- 1994 – Eugene Lang
- 1993 – Arnold Mitchem
- 1992 – Sen. Herbert Kohl (D-WI) and Sen. Thomas Sawyer (D-OH)
- 1991 – Theodore Sizer
- 1990 – Augustus F. Hawkins
- 1989 – Harold L. Hodgkinson
- 1988 – Oluf Davidsen and George Hanford
- 1987 – Ernest L. Boyer
- 1986 – William D. Ford, Samuel L. Meyers and Paul Simon
- 1985 – Alexander W. Astin
- 1984 – Fred Hargadon
- 1983 – Francis Keppel
The Gayle C. Wilson Outstanding Service to the Profession Award honors NACAC members who provided outstanding service through counseling and assisting students in attaining their educational goals.
Below are several (but not all) of the criteria that is taking into consideration when selecting an award recipient for the Gayle C. Wilson Outstanding Service to the Profession Award.
- NACAC Membership: must be a current NACAC member
- Consistently serves and advocates for students with passion and integrity.
- Routinely serves students and families above and beyond the “call of duty”.
- Regularly mentors colleagues, provides inspiration and support, and uplifts the next generation of practitioners and leaders.
About the 2025 award winner, Toni Schexnyder:
Toni Schexnyder is the associate dean of college and career counseling at Franklin Academy (CT), where she supports neurodivergent students through every stage of the college and career planning process. A neurodiverse educator herself, she brings both personal insight and professional experience to her work, with a focus on accessibility, executive function, and self-advocacy.
She began her career in college admission at Texas State University in 2013 before moving into college counseling at The Winston School San Antonio in 2016, where she developed a passion for working with students with disabilities. From 2019 to 2022, she served on the executive board of the Texas ACAC (TACAC) as co-chair of the Government Relations Committee. She now serves as co-chair of the Professionals with Disabilities Affinity Strand within the NACAC Disabilities and Neurodiversity Special Interest Group.
At Franklin, she developed a comprehensive curriculum on college and career readiness for neurodivergent students in grades 9–12. The program addresses topics such as self-awareness, disability rights, executive function, postsecondary planning, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and self-advocacy — equipping students with the skills they need to navigate life after high school with confidence.
In 2024, she earned her ICF Associate Certified Coach credential, specializing in ADHD and executive function coaching. She has presented at conferences across Texas and nationally on topics related to neurodiversity, college access, and transition planning. Her work includes the 2023 LINK for Counselors article “Think Outside the Box! Preparing Neurodiverse Students for College & Career Success,” and appearances on the “College Guidance Network” podcast, where she discusses executive function and the college search process for neurodivergent students.
Previous Award Winners:
- 2024 – Mark Hatch
- 2023 – Mary Lou Bates
- 2022 -Mary Ann Willis
- 2021 – Thomas Butler and Sean Callaway
- 2020 – Dominique Jordan Turner
- 2019 – Nan Davis
- 2018 – Lynn Slaughter (posthumous) and Susan Biemeret
- 2017 – Youlonda Copeland-Morgan
- 2016 – Evelyn Boyd White
- 2015 – Bill Dingledine
- 2014 – Myron Arakawa
- 2013 – Carolyn Barnhart
- 2012 – George Mills
- 2011 – Esther Hugo
- 2010 – Marybeth Kravets
- 2009 – John Blackburn
- 2008 – Theodore Spencer
- 2007 – Kpakpundu Ezeze
- 2006 – Michael Barron
- 2005 – Angela ‘Nickie’ Roberson
- 2004 – Daniel Feldhaus and Edward Wall (posthumous)
- 2003 – Richard Stabell
- 2002 – Lonnie Barefield
- 2001 – Joseph P. Allen
- 2000 – Gary Williams
- 1999 – G. Gary Ripple
- 1998 – Roger Campbell
- 1997 – Peggy Templeton-Strong
- 1996 – Naomi Kuziemski
- 1995 – Sally LaGoy
- 1994 – Braxton Rethwisch
- 1993 – R. Russell Shunk
- 1992 – Anne M. Kennedy
- 1991 – James A. Alexander, Jr.
- 1990 – Joseph A. Monte
- 1989 – Lois C. Mazzuca
- 1988 – Margaret E. Addis
- 1987 – Sarah J. Needham
- 1986 – Jeanette B. Hersey
- 1985 – Mary Ann Schwalbe
- 1984 – Evelyn M. Yeagle
- 1983 – Donald G. Dickason
- 1982 – Charles E. Malone
- 1981 – Anna H. Bowditch
- 1980 – Marion Flagg
- 1979 – Emery R. Walker, Jr.
- 1978 – Mildred G. Fox
- 1977 – Harley Wyatt, Jr.
- 1976 – Louis H. Fritzmeier
- 1975 – Esther DeMerritt
- 1974 – Eugene S. Wilson
- 1973 – Harland W. White
The David A. Hawkins Government Relations Award is presented to a NACAC member or initiative that made outstanding contributions to advance policies that promote equal access to higher education, encourage student achievement, and further the government relations priorities of NACAC members.
About the 2025 award winner, Kristina Luster:
Kristina Luster has dedicated over 14 years of her career to helping students access higher education. With a focus on access and equity paired with a passion for the political process, Kristina has found significant success as a practitioner in the field of college admission counseling. Her dedication to government relations and advocacy work has enabled her to lead initiatives that advocate for students at both the state and national levels. Through Southern ACAC (SACAC), Illinois ACAC (IACAC), and NACAC, Kristina has transformed her passion into action by promoting the establishment of a need-based financial aid program in Georgia, organizing statewide and national advocacy days, and forming coalitions among key stakeholders. Recently, Kristina achieved a landmark victory by successfully amending the Illinois School Counselor Gift Ban. She currently serves on the IACAC board as a director and is an active member of the Government Relations Committee.
Previous Award Winners:
- 2024 – Indiana ACAC Advocacy Webinar Series (AWS)
- 2023 – The Pennsylvania ACAC Government Relations Committee
- 2022 – Stephanie Brazinsky and Maria Ornelas
- 2021 – Ashley Young
- 2019 – Paul Welsh
- 2018 – Breanne Boyle
- 2017 – Sarah Summerhill
- 2016 – Jessica Sant
- 2015 – Grant Blume
- 2014 – Julie Fopma
- 2013 – Jayne Fonash
- 2012 – Ken Anselment
- 2011 – Bob Bardwell
- 2010 – Craig Dodson
- 2009 – Patrick O’Connor
- 2008 – Jon Westover
- 2007 – From Western ACAC: Kevin Buck, Elsa Clark, Esther Hugo, Esther Lopez, Rafael Magallan, Marc Meredith, Katy Murphy, and Loretta Whitson
- 2006 – Allen V. Lentino
- 2005 – New York State ACAC
- 2004 – Rose-Ellen Racanelli
- 2003 – Jim Miller
- 2002 – Frank Sachs
- 2001 – Braxton Rethwisch
The Inclusion, Access, and Success Award honors NACAC members who have made opportunities for historically underrepresented students in postsecondary education.
About the 2025 award winner, Peggy Jenkins:
Peggy Jenkins started her career in Washington D.C. as a clerk for a federal judge before returning home to Hawaii, where she eventually became a partner at a large Honolulu law firm. In 2001 she moved to Deary, Idaho and worked remotely doing legal research and writing. Peggy later moved to Moscow, Idaho where she noticed that local students had fewer college opportunities than the children of her law-firm friends in Honolulu. She headed the Parent Teacher Association at Moscow High School and shared information about FAFSA, scholarships, college admission tests, and more.
In 2013, Peggy founded Palouse Pathways, which now serves 500-700 rural students per year, including 80 Palouse Pathways Scholars, who are a cohort of rural students in grades nine-12 who receive college advising and enrichment and who support one another in their college aspirations. Palouse Pathways is known for innovative programs and for connecting rural schools and students with opportunities like QuestBridge, College Horizons, Stars College Network, and more.
Peggy co-founded NACAC’s Rural and Small Town Special Interest Group (SIG) in 2019. The group quickly grew to more than 2,000 members, including rural counselors and college admission folks. In 2021, Peggy served as co-chair of NACAC’s Rural and Small Town Issues Ad Hoc Committee and is also active in NACAC’s Community Based Organization SIG and PNACAC.
Peggy serves on the Coalition for College’s Counselor Advisory Committee, University of Chicago Access Partners Group, and the Bryn Mawr College President’s Counsel. She previously served on the Common App Advisory Board and the Washington University Counselor Advisory Board. She reviews scholarships for the Gates, Jack Kent Cooke, and Innovia foundations.
She moved to Santa Fe in July 2025, where she continues her part-time legal research and writing and volunteers for one of the college access organizations nearby. She plans to stay involved with Palouse Pathways to ensure that it has a strong and sustainable future.
Previous Award Winners:
- 2024 – Melisa Hypolite
- 2023 – Naziat Hassan and Jennifer Jessie (Jenn The Tutor)
- 2022 – EMERGE
- 2021 – Yvonne Espinoza
- 2020 – Sylvester Rembert
- 2019 – Heidi Bonner
- 2018 – Catalina Cifuentes
- 2017 – Celina Barrera-Scott
- 2016 – Jonathan Burdick
- 2015 – Audrey Smith and Coalition for HB 1079
- 2014 – Janice Downing
- 2013 – Alfred Herrera and Julie Kampschroeder
- 2012 – Richard Alvarez
- 2011 – Chris Milton and Karen Staller
- 2010 – Aliza Gilbert and Posse Foundation
- 2009 – Admission Possible
- 2008 – College Goal Sunday
- 2007 – Advancement Via Individual Determination
- 2006 – Alejandra Rincón
- 2005 – Whitney Laughlin
- 2004 – Pathways to College Network
- 2003 – The Daniels Fund
- 2002 – Dr. Arnold Mitchem
- 2001 – Jacob Schramm
- 2000 – I Have a Dream Foundation
- 1999 – Susan Chipley
- 1998 – Roberto Haro
- 1997 – Edward Bell
- 1996 – Donald Johnson
- 1995 – Robert Albright, Gloria de Leon and Ernesto Nieto
- 1994 – Laurice Sommers
- 1993 – Carl F. Brown
- 1992 – J. Alan Marks and Betty Schneider
- 1991 – Silas Purnell
- 1990 – Samuel H. Johnson
- 1989 – Betty Fairfax
- 1988 – NACAC Human Relations Committees of 1986 & 1987 for the development of Guide for Parents: Ronald C. Ancrum, Rosetta L. Gooden, Audrey T. Hill, Naomi Kuziemski, Leslie K. Lane-Epps, Geverna Levels, Brian J. Lewis, Walter M. Pritchett, Clifton B. Rawles, Thedore Sherron and Anthonio Solorzano, Jr.
- 1987 – Clarence Mixon
- 1986 – Marion R. Flagg
- 1985 – Jack Wright
- 1984 – William R. Davis
The John B. Muir Excellence in Media Award honors NACAC members who have consistently made significant media-related contributions to the college admission counseling field.
All content must be free or included with NACAC membership. A wide variety of works will be considered, including those falling into the following categories:
Writing
A news article, op-ed, or long-form blog entry or blog series related to college admission counseling
Video
A documentary, or instructional or informational video (non-marketing) related to college admission counseling
Podcast Series
A series of podcasts related to college admission counseling
Author/Creator
Published a book or another major work in the past year
Social Media Campaign
Collective posts for one campaign in the past year
PSA Series
A themed series that supports the need for postsecondary education (or other college admission counseling themes)
About the 2025 award winner, John Durante:
John Durante, a proud alumnus of Stony Brook University, has devoted over 30 years to education as both a teacher and administrator. Since 2010, he has served as the principal of Syosset High School, helping guide it to national recognition — including the prestigious U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School designation in 2016.
John began his career at Syosset in 1994 as a world languages teacher. His deep commitment to supporting students and families through the college search process inspired him to launch “The College Admissions Process Podcast” in 2022. Since its inception, the podcast has become a widely respected resource in the field of college admission, with over 300 episodes and 15,000-20,000 monthly downloads. By providing direct insights from admission professionals across the country, the podcast has elevated transparency and access in the college admission landscape — earning national praise from educators, students, and counselors alike.
In 2024, he also authored Straight from the Admissions Office, a book that distills key lessons and themes from over 250 podcast interviews. The book serves as a practical, student-centered guide for navigating the college admission process — and stands as a testament to John’s mission of making expert advice more accessible to all.
John earned his doctoral degree in school administration and supervision from St. John’s University (NY) and continues to use both his leadership and editorial platforms to support students, families, and counselors in navigating the ever-evolving world of higher education.
Previous Award Winners:
- 2024 – Jim Jump
- 2023 – Timothy Fields and Shereem Herndon-Brown
- 2022 -Shanda Ivory
- 2021 – Ken Anselment
- 2020 – Jon Boeckenstedt
- 2017 – Tommy Lucas and Whitney Linsenmeyer, “Cutting Through a Crisis: Guiding Prospective Students and Families During Times of Unrest” (Spring 2016)
- 2016 – Dr. Tara Jabbaar-Gyambrah and Dr. Seneca Vaught, “Why College as an Investment is a Lousy Analogy” (Winter 2015)
- 2015 – Jason Klugman, “Creating a Community of Scholars on the Edge of Disaster” (Winter 2014)
- 2014 – Arthur Levine and Diane R. Dean, “It’s Only Technology If It Happens After You Are Born” (Summer 2013)
- 2013 – Benjamin S. Baum, “LGBT Applicants and Challenges for Admission: Five Cases” (Fall 2012)
- 2012 – Amy Liu, “The Admission Industrial Complex: Examining Entrepreneurial Impact on College Access” (Winter 2011)
- 2011 – Ryan Gildersleeve, “Access Between and Beyond Borders” (Winter 2010) and Anne Pabst, “The Search for Sustainable Girls” (Fall 2010)
- 2010 – Jonathon Epstein, “Behind the SAT-Optional Movement: Context and Controversy” (Summer 2009)
- 2009 – Angel Pérez, “Struggling Between Two Worlds: How College Affects Identity Construction” (Winter 2008)
- 2008 – Kirsten Olson, “Hyperventilating: The Concerted Cultivation of the Teenager” (Summer 2007)
- 2007 – Joyce Vining Morgan, “Yves: Hope Against the Odds” (Summer 2006)
- 2006 – Sam Patterson, “How Much is Too Much? Effective and Ethical Response to Application Essays” (Fall 2005)
- 2005 – Kelly Herrington, “The Pleasure, Privledge and Agony of Application Reading” (Summer 2004)
- 2004 – Carla Shere and Mark Hicks, “Toward Reflective Admission Work: New Direction for Thoughts and Practice” (Spring 2003)
- 2003 – Sarah Myers McGinty, “Issues of Access: The College Application Essay” (Fall 2002)
- 2002 – John L. Mahoney, “Perception of the Profession is Cause for Concern” (Winter 2001)
- 2001 – Frank D. Sachs, “The Evolvement of Parent Education in the College Counseling Process” (Fall 2000)
- 2000 – Kim Stafford, “College Recruitment Night” (Spring/Summer 1999)
- 1999 – Van Sturgeon, “The Day I Turned Stupid” (Summer 1998)
- 1998 – Michael Smith, “Multicultural Admission: From Paper Policy to Institutional Committment” (Summer 1997)
- 1997 – James Alexander, Anne L. Bryant, Gwendolyn Jordan Dungy, Jean H. Fetter, Bill Fitzsimmons, Lawrence E. Gladieux, Mary Lee Hoganson, Don Johnson, Marybeth Kravets, Judy Rolfe, Ted Spencer, Peter Van Tyle, and Albert C. Yates, Special Issue: Diversity (Summer/Fall 1996)
- 1996 – Ron W. Moss, “A Generation of Variance: Are We Prepared?” (Fall 1995)
- 1995 – Peter Van Tyle, “How to Keep College Admission Officers at Their Desks and Out of the Courtroom” (Winter 1995)
- 1994 – Frank C. Leana, “Blueberry Pancakes, Please” (Summer 1994)
- 1993 – Maryam Ahamad, Edward Bell, Charlene Blue Horse, Deborah B. Bowles, Frank Burtnett, Deborah J. Carter, Richard Ferguson, John Hollifield, Naomi Kuziemski, Whitney Laughlin, Laudelina Martinez, Suzannne D. Mintz, Arnold Mitchem, Michael Rowland, William E. Sedlacek, Charles Shom, Donald M. Stewart, and Kristin Tichenor; Achieving Diversity: Strategies for the Recruitment and Retention of Traditionally Underrepresented Students
- 1992 – Bethany L. Spotts, “Creating a Successful Minority Affairs Position” (Spring 1991)
- 1991 – B. Ann Wright, “Smile When You Say Performance Appraisal” (Winter 1990)
- 1989 – Steven Munger, A Guide to the College Admissions Process
- 1988 – Jean Ballard Terepka
- 1987 – E. Douglas Norton, “Intervention in Burnout and Substance Abuse in the Admissions Professions” (Spring 1987)
- 1986 – Daniel C. Tyson, “The Montezuma Eight: A Moral Challenge to the Admissions Profession” (Winter 1986)
- 1985 – David Chapman and Susan L. Benati, “The Structure of Salaries in College Admissions” (Spring 1985)
- 1984 – Suzanne McColloch and Betsy Porter, “No-Need Scholarships: Practices, Trends, and Attitudes” (Fall 1983)