Donita Jackson
School and College Counselor
Indian Hill High School (OH)

What drew you to the world of college admission counseling?
I’ve been an educator for many years. I started as a middle school teacher, then middle school counselor. When I moved to the high school, one of the largest, and actually most fulfilling learning experiences was the college admission counseling process. So, quite honestly, I was drawn into it because it is a huge portion of our jobs as school counselors. Over 90 percent of our students choose to go directly into a collegiate experience immediately after graduation from high school.

What is your favorite part of the job?
One of the best parts was — and still is — learning about all of the options that our students have to further their education. One of my favorite parts of visiting campuses is imagining where my students would feel at home — and I love it when my students actually value my perspective.

How has NACAC played a role in your career?
I started my NACAC journey immediately when I became a high school counselor. A colleague in our office was the president-elect for our ACAC. She encouraged participation in the ACAC, which started with GWI and led to various roles in the Ohio ACAC. The connections through NACAC have been invaluable for our students.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession today?
I think one of the biggest challenges facing our profession today is the uncertainty of the future. The political climate has always had an impact on students’ access to higher education. Today, though, it feels more palpable than ever. And yet, there is such resilience in so many. I believe that people will end up where they are literally supposed to be.

When you aren’t working, what do you like to do?
Whether I’m working or not, I love to travel! Now that my children have finished their undergrad and are in different cities from me, I so enjoy reconnecting with them. I love moving — dancing, walking, and being with others. I enjoy delving into great life-inspiring books, like Strong Ground by this year’s NACAC conference speaker Brené Brown. (Thank you, NACAC!)

What five words would you use to describe yourself? 
A listener.
Caring.
Encouraging.
Fun-loving.
A learner.

 

Published Dec. 22, 2025