Adaeze Ogunedo
Senior Associate Director
Smith College (MA)
What drew you to the world of college admission counseling?
I started out my college career knowing I wanted to be an educator. Like most of us in the field, I was a campus tour guide as well as an orientation leader and that lit a spark in me. It wasn’t until I working in another field after graduation and found myself advising random strangers about the college process that I knew I was meant to be helping students all the time.
What is your favorite part of the job?
Getting to meet new people and learn their stories. I always tell students that my favorite part of reviewing applications is reading their stories and getting to learn who they are, even if it is only from 500 words. Really being able to learn who people are so that I can be their advocate when they’re not around is important to me.
How has NACAC played a role in your career?
When I was elected to be an assembly delegate for my ACAC, I felt I was still learning the profession. Being able to go to my first NACAC national conference and seeing the world of admissions outside of my little bubble truly opened my eyes. Not only was I able to engage with a wider variety of people and bring back information to my office on how the field was changing, it gave me the courage to take on more leadership opportunities. Being an affiliate president and working at Smith College is a direct result of the lessons I learned and the people I met through NACAC.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession today?
Our profession is at a time when we are facing opposition from all angles. Now, more than ever, we must work together in order to do what is best not only for ourselves, but for our students.
When you aren’t working, what do you like to do?
I love to read, play video games, and I’m a classical cellist. It’s fun getting to play video games with some of my admission colleagues and I’ve performed a handful of admission weddings since joining the field.
What five words would you use to describe yourself?
Dedicated. Progressive. Empathetic. Adaptable. Funny.
Published July 28, 2025