Ivan Hauck
Director of College Guidance
The Archer School for Girls (CA)
What drew you to the world of college admission counseling?
I worked about 20 hours a week during my undergraduate experience tutoring and mentoring high school students in the Bay Area for a California Student Opportunity and Access program. That work often transitioned to students asking questions about applications to college. I realized that while I absolutely loved teaching the weekend classes, I cherished the one-on-one work even more. This led to a master’s degree in personal counseling where I also worked at an Upward Bound program, collaborating with an amazing team, which fueled further conversations around the value of higher education and how to best prepare students. I have been doing this work ever since, across four independent schools, two states, and two countries. It is scary how quickly 23 years in this field goes by.
What is your favorite part of the job?
The colleagues, the students, the families, and the novelty. The ups and downs and eventual celebrations with people you have come to really know. I appreciate how each year brings new challenges and rewards and each graduating class leaves behind powerful stories. If there is ever a profession that constantly reminds us of what we don’t know, how we can continue to be better, and the value of a great conversation or connection, this is the one. I could not ask for anything more. The unlimited school coffee and bombardment of youthful energy is a nice perk. I also could not ask for a better school environment than the one here at the Archer School for Girls. I have rarely experienced such a positive, talented, and genuinely kind community.
How has NACAC played a role in your career?
I am a huge fan of the ACACs, attending at least one of the TACAC, WACAC, NACAC, or IACAC conferences each year. I am regularly inspired by the work and dedication of so many, and all of the friendly faces in this growing field. There is always someone out there with more information who wants to help, which is special. Also, the travel! Having visited over 300 colleges and universities across all 50 states and a wide range of countries plus meeting so many fun admissions folk — most of whom I met through NACAC — constantly reminds me of the work that we get to do together, no matter how far apart (geographically).
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession today?
Authenticity. From conversations with students and families, to AI, to strong-handed essay editing, to social media and all the narratives about what a teenager “should” or “must” do in this process, it seems more difficult than ever to engage in sincere dialogue or expression without outside forces impacting what is shared. This is certainly true for students but also seems to impact all of us in various ways. There is no easy solution, but it certainly helps to appreciate authenticity when we see it.
When you aren’t working, what do you like to do?
Usually I can be found on a mountain (hopefully near a summit), on the beach (hopefully in the water), in a tent, watching sports, or road-tripping with my wife and dog. If I can take photos, all the better. Recently I have turned back the clock and started collecting baseball and basketball cards again in hopes of inspiring my nieces and nephews. It is not working…yet.
If you could be any fictional character, who would it be and why?
No brainer. One of the Hardy boys. Solving mysteries with my two younger brothers — my two best friends — would be the best gig ever. Along with college counseling, of course. I would like to think that I am a bit more Joe but realistically I have some Frank tendencies.
Published May 4, 2026