Rising Star Awards
The Rising Star Award honors individuals and programs that exemplify excellence and dedication to serving the needs of students in the transition from high school to college.
This award encourages NACAC affiliates to look within their associations, identify and nurture those new members and programs that are deserving of this honor and also encourage the honorees to continue their professional development through membership in NACAC.
Congratulations 2021 Rising Star Award Winners!
Individual Recipients
Jonathan Gowin, Potomac & Chesapeake ACAC
Jonathan Gowin’s rural, first-generation background fuels his passion for student success and led to his active engagement in NACAC’s Rural & Small-Town Special Interest Group. He recently was named an assistant director of admission at Carnegie Mellon University (PA), where he’s focused on collaboration with high school counselors and colleagues across the profession.
Noor Haddad, Western ACAC
Noor Haddad is an associate director of college counseling at The Bishop's School (CA). She was honored for her work around equity and access issues, including providing one-on-one support for low-income students through the college application process and with community-based organizations across Southern California to help support college access among historically underrepresented students.
Program Recipients
Illinois ACAC's Elevate: Women in Enrollment Management Seminar Series
“Elevate” is a professional development seminar series created for women in higher education enrollment management who are looking to take the next step in their professional career or expand their professional portfolio. According to a 2014 NACAC survey, women are overrepresented at entry- and mid-level positions, comprising about 70 percent of counselors and assistant/associate directors, but become increasingly underrepresented at more senior levels.
Pennsylvania ACAC's Promoting Inclusivity & Equity Lunch and Learn Series
The Promoting Inclusivity & Equity Lunch and Learn Series began last fall, and its curriculum focused on promoting inclusivity and equity through self-reflection and professional, local, and state spheres of influence. It then expanded in the spring to topics such as supporting students/colleagues of color, intersectionality, and learning differences. The free series was available to members and non-members.
Texas ACAC's Member Relief Fund
The TACAC Member Relief fund was established to raise funds and provide aid after the record-breaking snowstorm in Texas in February 2021. The fund is now in place for TACAC members on a permanent basis. Over $18,000 was raised to support relief efforts.
Past Award Winners
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2019 Rising Star Award Winners
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2018 Rising Star Award Winners
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2017 Rising Star Award Winners
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2016 Rising Star Award Winners
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2015 Rising Star Award Winners
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2014 Rising Star Award Winners
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2013 Rising Star Award Winners
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2012 Rising Star Award Winners
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2011 Rising Star Award Winners
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2010 Rising Star Award Winners
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2009 Rising Star Award Winners
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2008 Rising Star Award Winners
2008 Rising Star Award Winners
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2007 Rising Star Award Winners
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2006 Rising Star Award Winners
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2005 Rising Star Award Winners
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2004 Rising Star Award Winners
Congratulations to the 2004 winners.
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2003 Rising Star Award Winners
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2002 Rising Star Award Winners
Congratulations to the 2002 Winners.
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2001 Rising Star Award Winners
Congratulations to the 2001 Winners.
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2000 Rising Star Award Winners
Congratulations to the 2000 Winners.
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