Whitney Green
Director of Admission
Princeton University (NJ)
What drew you to the world of college admission counseling?
Like many colleagues, I fell into admissions. I actually graduated with an undergraduate degree in engineering. My senior year of college, I was very engaged as student body president (I think those who know me would not be surprised at all that I was a big student government person) and was asked to be involved in the admitted student programs. An individual who would later become my manager and lifelong friend spotted me and said, āyou seem like you really love the college experience and you seem to enjoy representing and speaking to it. Would you ever consider working in admissions?ā To me, it seemed like a great job right out of college ā I would get to travel across the country (and later around the world), learn from individuals I really admired and respected, and speak on behalf of an experience that was transformative for me as a person. I thought of it as an opportunity to be an example for students like me and with my background. I thought of it as an opportunity for people to see and challenge who one might think would be in this kind of role. And, I thought of it as an opportunity to underscore that these colleges truly were spaces for a wide variety of people and perspectives. Iād aimed to stay in admissions for two to three yearsā¦and of course, the rest is history.
What is your favorite part of the job?
Meeting and engaging with people. Working in admissions has offered a tremendous education on people across the country and around the world. Learning about education systems, hearing from college counselor colleagues at schools and organizations, meeting with students and families, and engaging with impactful colleagues has given me wonderful insights into how people go about their lives, what they hope for, and what they value. The vast majority of people Iāve come across in my career have been kind, thoughtful, generous, and eager to gain and/or provide access to opportunities. I get to learn from people and their stories every day.
This job is also an opportunity for me to āpay it forward.ā Again, college was an important inflection point in my life and so much of who I am and how my life has evolved points directly back to my college experience and those individuals who have made aspects of my life possible. I have some of the most amazing family members, friends, mentors, and colleagues who have poured their confidence, love, and energy into me. Theyāve valued me, encouraged me, and inspired me to work purposely. I hope my work in admissions pays my gratitude forward and hopefully ensures that others have access to the same opportunities I did, and even more. Iām very proud to do this work and proud carry the baton forward in service to the greater mission of educating and developing future leaders.
How has NACAC played a role in your career?
NACAC has been a great way to learn from, and engage with, colleagues and friends from all vantage points of the college admissions process. Ā As professionals, it is necessary to periodically step back and engage in topical conversations that impact our profession. NACAC provides this space. Iāve really enjoyed and appreciated getting to hear from colleagues presenting on their areas of expertise and Iāve presented several times at NACAC myself ā both have been great opportunities for professional development. Our collective goal is to support great students and their ability to go to great colleges. NACAC facilitates discussions toward this incredibly important goal.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession today?Ā
Staying up to date on information and, in turn, getting the right information to others. There is a lot going on these days, so much uncertainty, and a lot of information swirling around many spaces. Yet our primary focus remains on admissions and how to support students, families, and secondary schools in this process. Understanding what key information these stakeholders need and actively finding ways to get this information to them is paramount, especially with the day-to-day changes and challenges we are currently seeing in our profession.
When you arenāt working, what do you like to do?
Even while working, I listen to around seven to 10 hours of music a day in almost any genre you can imagine. I have an extensive collection of music. I love exploring music and I have been known to do some serious deep dives into artists and music history. Music has been my favorite companion since I was very young.
Aside from that, I am always up for dinner with family and friends. I love to hear about peopleās lives; hear about their views on the world; and just connect over conversation, banter, and laughter. Iām incredibly fortunate to know a lot of brilliant, kind, wonderful people that really care and look out for me ā many of them I know because of this profession. They offer great advice and perspective; act as sounding boards; challenge me to always be better; and have amazing, sharp senses of humor. Spending time with them is a true joy.
If you could be any fictional character, who would it be and why?
Ororo Munroe, a.k.a. Storm from the X-Men. For those that might be less familiar with Storm, she essentially has the ability to control the weather and is considered one of the most powerful X-Men ever. She was born in Kenya and raised in Harlem, New York, and Cairo, Egypt. She is one of the leaders of the X-Men at large and she uses her powers for peace, justice, and equal rights. A lot of characters look to her as a compass for what is right, and she demonstrates tremendous wisdom and inner strength. She is a force of nature (pun intended) but is also one of the most universally revered and trusted X-Men, and superheroes in general, because of her regal presence, how purposeful and resolute she is in her values, and how her values consistently guide her actions. I aspire to be someone with this kind of character and presence as a leader and as a person. And, it would be really cool to control the weather and have lightening white hair!
Published May 19, 2025