Hillen Grason Jr.
Vice President for Enrollment Management
Drexel University (PA)

What drew you to the world of college admission counseling?
My first role working in higher education was assistant men’s basketball coach. I was quickly drawn to the recruitment aspects of being a coach. As a Pell grant recipient and first-generation college student myself, it was rewarding to support prospective students and their families throughout their college search.

After two years on the sidelines, a position opened in the admission office at the school where I was coaching. The idea of expanding my recruitment efforts to support the institution more broadly and serving a larger population of prospective students was exciting! I continued coaching for my first two years in college admissions before hanging up my whistle.

Knowing the transformative impact my college experience had on me and my family continues to be my motivation. While each step in my career has come with less direct interaction with prospective students, I stay grounded by remembering each step also comes with the ability to impact more students than the previous role.

What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of working in college admissions is getting to collaborate with the talented people at Drexel and across higher education. We can accomplish so much as a team, institution, and profession when we’re all working together. It is a blast getting to work with such talented colleagues in Philadelphia and across the world! It never ceases to amaze me how supportive colleagues are when you text, call, or email them with a question. The community we have in college admissions is a reminder that regardless of what campus we work on, or company we work for, we’re all in this line of work to support prospective students in their pursuit of postsecondary pathways.

How has NACAC played a role in your career?
NACAC serves several roles in my professional journey. NACAC has provided direct opportunities for growth and professional development. Examples I’ve participated in over the years include pre-conference workshops like NACAC’s Admissions Middle Management Institute, conference sessions, main stage presentations, and virtual series like NACAC’s Data-Informed Territory Management.

Additionally, NACAC serves as a medium where I can connect with colleagues across the world. During my time in the presidential stream for the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling, I had the honor of serving on NACAC’s Affiliate Presidents Council (APC). This group was comprised of individuals within the presidential streams from all 23 of NACAC’s affiliates. My time on the APC was an opportunity to learn from other leaders in our profession. I not only learned lessons and strategies for leading a volunteer organization, but also invaluable lessons that I brought back to my campus community, and some that I will carry on for many years to come.

Lastly, NACAC serves as a way for me to remain connected to our community of college admission professionals. Each year at NACAC’s annual conference, I am fortunate to see friends and colleagues from every corner of the profession. Each year’s annual conference is full of conversations about the latest trends and challenges in college admissions.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession today?
In my opinion, the biggest challenge facing our profession today is the rate at which staff is turning over at all levels. The constant changes facing higher education are leading to increased turnover at the leadership level on many campuses. Each new leadership regime brings new ideas, philosophies, and direction. These internal changes on campuses, coupled with the ever-changing external landscape, strain staff and systems leading to additional turnover at lower levels. These changes have a negative impact on our ability to serve prospective students and those who support them. We need to better equip campuses and staff at all levels to navigate today’s environment. The one constant we can guarantee is change.

When you aren’t working, what do you like to do?
When I’m not working, you can find me spending time with my family. My wife, Brittany, is also a college admissions professional, so it can be tough to fully separate from work during certain seasons. We enjoy traveling with our three kids and taking in any live sporting event in the area.

 

Published Dec. 15, 2025