NEXT Program
NEXT is a professional development program established to build the leadership capacity of next-generation affiliate and national leaders. Through NEXT, participants are provided opportunities to build connections with each other, understand their own leadership capacity and strengths, and navigate the professional opportunities available through affiliate and national volunteer service.
After the elimination of national delegates and the Assembly in 2022, the NACAC board recognized the need for a professional development program to build the leadership capacity of next-generation affiliate and national leaders. This program would provide value for participants, their respective employers, affiliates, and NACAC. In April 2023, NACAC staff announced NEXT.
The foundation of NEXT is deepening participants’ connections to the expansive network of NACAC professionals and their experiences.
Who?
Each affiliate may identify three NEXT participants in a manner of their choosing. The criteria for the participants are that they must be a NACAC member, and they should be an early- to mid-career professional.
What?
NEXT is a one-year program with both in-person and virtual components. The in-person convening takes place at the NACAC Annual Conference and includes a panel discussion of past and present NACAC and affiliate leaders, facilitated by the Affiliate Presidents Council (APC) coordinator. There will also be an opportunity to build connections with other NEXT participants and conference attendees through small group conversations facilitated and led by NACAC leaders during the First Timers Orientation session taking place immediately after the NEXT gathering. The virtual component of NEXT will take place throughout the year. We also welcome the APC’s efforts to build connections with this group of professionals inclusive of and separate from the NEXT program.
Recognition?
NEXT participants will receive recognition on the NACAC website, a certificate of completion, a dedicated NACAC Engage community, and acknowledgement at conference (upon completion of the program).
The APC LEAD Committee will suggest content areas and speakers for NEXT webinars, and NACAC will coordinate and deliver the content on its virtual platforms. If applicable, we may extend the opportunity for participants to join select LEAD sessions. All sessions will be recorded and distributed.
At NACAC’s Annual Conference, participants who attend in person will have the opportunity to hear from leaders who have extraordinary experience within the NACAC structure, as well as those who worked their way through leadership in their affiliate.
Through NEXT, NACAC’s intent is to provide participants with opportunities to build connections with each other, understand their own leadership capacity and strengths, and navigate the professional opportunities available through affiliate and national volunteer service.
- Increasing network
- Building leadership capacity
- Expanding pathways for growth
- Growing NACAC/affiliate volunteer base
- There is no fee for NEXT.
- In-person attendance at the NACAC conference session is optional, however, you must be registered for the conference in order to attend the NEXT meeting on Thursday morning.
- NACAC is unable to supplement conference-related costs associated with NEXT attendee travel and hotel accommodations.
2025-2026 NEXT Roster
DACAC
Heather Halverson
Assistant Director of Enrollment Services
Minot State University
GPACAC
Amy Gade
Director of Admissions
Wayne State College
Courtney Hallenbeck
Associate Director for Recruitment Programs
Kansas State University
Brandon Miller
GKFF Endowed Director of University Transfer & Academic Partnerships
Tulsa Community College
HACAC
Jennifer Baum
Associate Director of College Counseling
Punahou School
Bethany Kanda
Admissions Officer
University of Hawaii
Woody Hoshibata
Senior Regional Recruiter
University of Nevada – Las Vegas
Illinois ACAC
April Bauer
Admissions Counselor
University of Arkansas
Alejandro Campos
Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions
University of St. Francis
Sarah Colangelo
Director of Regional Recruitment
Knox College
Indiana ACAC
Maddie Bigham
Admission Counselor
Butler University
Torria Buckley
College & Career Counselor
Pike High School
Jocelyn Ortiz
Senior Assistant Director of Diversity Recruitment
University of Indianapolis
International ACAC
Luke Devlin
Education Consultant
Dulwich College Shanghai
Iowa ACAC
Susan Dickinson
Senior Assistant Director, High Ability Recruitment
University of Iowa
Colleen Koppes
College and Career Coordinator
Dowling Catholic High School
Tina Miranda
Assistan Director of Admissions
Grand View University
KYACAC
Hannah Peck
Associate Director of Admissions
Lindsey Wilson College
Michigan ACAC
Samantha VanHorn
Admissions Representative
Saginaw Valley State University
Minnesota ACAC
Annie Dockendorf
Senior Admissions Counselor
University of St. Thomas
Jennifer Landy
School Counselor
Wayzata High School
MOACAC
Rachel Reed
Director of School Counseling
Rock Bridge High School
Kaylynn Williamson
Senior Admissions Counselor
Missouri University of Science & Technology
NEACAC
Chito Hernandez
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Northeastern University
Magnoly Maria
College & Career Success Manager, Minds Matter Boston
Minds Matter
Juan Orta
Assistant Director
Fitchburg University
NJACAC
Seth Carver
Admissions Recruiter
Stockton University
Casandra Kovar
Regional Recruiter
West Virginia University
Lemma Taha
Director of School Counseling
Ramsey High School
NYSACAC
Darnell Douglas
School Counselor
Bethlehem Central High School
Hannah Kingsley
Assistant Director of Admissions
St. Lawrence University
Courtney Stern
College & Career Counselor
Brighton High School
OACAC
Keyon Camden
Senior Admissions Counselor
Bowling Green State University
Chasten Coleman
Admission Counselor/Coordinator of Diversity Recruitment
Marietta College
Jasmine Alfred
Assistant Director of Admission
Ohio Wesleyan University
PNACAC
Jenni Kimball
College & Career Counselor
Timberline High School
Kelsey Mark
Associate Director of College and Career Counseling
Kennedy Catholic High School
Sophia Holter
Undergraduate Admissions Counselor
The University of Montana
PACAC
Gloria Darko
Assistant Director of Admission
Carnegie Mellon University
Lucia Garabo
Assistant Director of Admission
Susquehanna University
Erin Wallace
College Counselor
Solebury School (215) 862-5261
PCACAC
Theresa Dethlefsen
Coordiantor, School Counseling Services
Montgomery County Public Schools
Amani Manning
Engagement Associate
Common App
Adam Ortiz
Associate Director of College Counseling
The Collegiate School
RMACAC
Katie Cannon
Regional Admissions Counselor
University of Oregon
Valentina Rojas Gutierrez
Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Westminster University
SACAC
Juan Acosta
Director of College Counseling
Paideia School
Stephanie Hospodar
Senior Regional Associate Director of Admission
Bryant University
Lucy Smith
Associate Director of College Counseling
Charlotte Latin School
TACAC
Roquee Forson
Assistant Director
Univeristy of Louisiana at Lafayette
Fidel Zapata
Coordinator
Univeris of Texas at Arlington
Western ACAC
Sung Ahn
Senior Regional Recruitment Manager
Ohio University
Nicole Rengifo
College and Career Counselor
Aliso Niguel High School
Veronica Zendejas
UGA Director
University of California – Riverside
Wisconsin ACAC
Maggie Ford
Assistant Director of Admission
Marian University
Bettie Mattison
Senior Manager for Multicultural Recruitment
University of Wisconsin- Madison