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.

2026-2027 NEXT Roster

DACAC

Jen Croy
Admissions Representative
University of North Dakota

GPACAC

Kala Davis
Assistant Director of Recruitment
Oklahoma State University

Amanda Kranz
Associate Director of Admissions
Creighton University

Staci Pennington
Director of Recruitment
The University of Tulsa

HACAC

Laurie Blaloc
College and Career Counselor
Mililani High School

Jasmin Dela Cruz
Admissions Officer
University of Hawaii – West Oahu

Kimberly Dela Cruz Kelley
Associate Director of DEI Recruitment
Washington State University

Illinois ACAC

Kelly Dutmers
College and Career Counselor
Loyola Academy

Cathryn Loy
Assistant Director of Admission
Bradley University

Betsy Stevens
Assistant Director, Chicago Regional Representative
University of Iowa

Indiana ACAC

Jordan Dippel
Admissions Counselor
Indiana Tech

Alexandria Shinkan
Assistant Director of Admissions
Purdue University

Iowa ACAC

Ashlyn Craven
Admissions Representative
Iowa Central Community College

Allison Lang
Transfer Admissions Counselor
University of Iowa

Katarina O’Kulich
Admissions Manager
Northwestern University

KYACAC

Noah Long
Admissions Manager
Northern Kentucky University

Marc Monroe
Butler Traditional High School
School Counselor

Michigan ACAC

Nick Booza
Assistant Director
Universiy of Detroit Mercy

Sarah Pelyhes
Admission Counselor
Kalamazoo College

Minnesota ACAC

Greta Simons
Associate Director of Transfer Recruitment
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Nigel Simmons
Supplier Diversity Program Analyst
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Paige Mackedanz
Undergraduate Admissions Counselor
Concordia University – Saint Paul

MOACAC

Erin Gabriel
College Counselor
The Principia Upper School

Sydney McNair
Regional Director of Admission
Drury University

NEACAC

Steffon Gales
Associate Director of College Counseling
The Taft School

Wintress Ross
Senior Assistant Director for National Recruitment
University of South Carolina

NJACAC

Michael Statile
School Counselor/Student Assistance Coordinator
Academy of the Holy Angels

Jeannie Sullivan
Admissions Officer
University of Florida

NYSACAC

Kathryn Gildard
Senior Associate Director of Admission
Marist University

Daniel Kuhlman
Director of Recruitment and Admissions
Northeastern University, New York City

Alex Ruiz
College Success Manager
Dream Charter High School

OACAC

Jess Burkley
Assistant Director of Admissions, Coordinator of Student Ambassadors
Allegheny College

Samantha Philips
Senior Admissions Counselor
Bowling Green State University

PNACAC

Benjamin Bohanon
Admission Counselor
Linfield University

Carrie Paquette
College and Career Advisor
Lakeland Senior High School

Ben Siegel
Senior Admissions Counselor
University of Washington

PACAC

Janet Barkdoll
Assistant Dean of Admissions
Swarthmore College

Julie Franzetta
Assistant Director of Admission
Carnegie Mellon University

Ryan Mignone
Senior Assistant Director of Admissions
Widener University

PCACAC

Joshua Rauguth
Assistant Director of College Counseling
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School

Samantha Scanlan
Senior Assistant Director
Towson University

Kelly Valette
College Counselor
Archbishop Spalding High School

SACAC

Fredrick Evans
Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions for Diversity and Access
Elon University

Iris Martinez
Director, College & Career Guidance
Christopher Columbus High School

Celeste Suris-Rosselli
Director of College Counseling
Baldwin School of Puerto Rico

TACAC

Sara Wood
Senior Admissions Counselor
University of Arkansas

Siana Hardman
Associate Director, Admissions
Texas State University

Western ACAC

Katie Engle
Senior Admission Counselor
University of San Diego

Jonathan Fidani
Director of College Counseling
Henry M. Gunn Senior High School

Wisconsin ACAC

Kyle Munholland
Admission Counselor
University of Wisconsin – Platteville

Savannah Leach
Admissions Counselor
Bellin College