Awards
Congratulations to the 2024 award winners!
NACAC honors individuals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the field of education, to the profession, and to our organization.
The Margaret E. Addis Exceptional Service to NACAC Award honors a NACAC member who provided exceptional service to the growth, promotion, and/or advancement of the Association.
Below are several (but not all) of the criteria that is taken into consideration when nominating an award recipient for the Margaret E. Addis Exceptional Service to NACAC Award.
- NACAC Membership: must be a current NACAC member
- Service to the association over an extended period through progressive volunteer leadership.
- Service to the association during a crisis or transition.
- Integral to defining policy or shaping responses on important issues.
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing NACAC’s mission and vision.
About the 2024 Award Winners, Beth H. Gilfillan, Ph.D. and Christopher W. Tremblay, Ed.D.:
Beth H. Gilfillan, Ph.D. is a dedicated educator and advocate in the field of school counseling. She holds a doctorate in counselor education and supervision from The Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree in counseling from DePaul University, and a bachelor’s degree in human development and psychological services from Northwestern University. With a decade of experience as a high school counselor, specializing in post-secondary counseling, she transitioned to educating school counselors. She currently serves as an associate professor of school counseling at Northeastern Illinois University. Gilfillan is deeply engaged in professional development, providing training and support to school districts and school counselors nationwide on topics such as post-secondary counseling, college access, and utilizing data in school counseling. In 2023, she was recognized as the Illinois School Counselor Educator of the Year. She served as president of the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling in 2015-16, contributed two chapters to the fifth edition of NACAC’s Fundamentals of College Admission Counselingtextbook, and served as co-editor of the sixth edition published in 2024. Currently, she directs a $4 million U.S. Department of Education grant supporting the training of school counseling students.
Christopher W. Tremblay, Ed.D. boasts three decades of leadership in higher education, having held pivotal admission and enrollment management roles at Western Michigan University, Gannon University, the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and the University of Wisconsin-Superior, in addition to contributing to the Michigan College Access Network. Currently, he serves as the executive director of enrollment management and student affairs at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. Tremblay holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Western Michigan University’s School of Communication, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. He has authored nearly 30 articles in various academic journals and presented at over 100 conferences globally. In 2015, Tremblay invented the Getting In college admission card game. Notably, he co-founded the Journal of College Access and holds the position of editor-in-chief for AACRAO’s College & University Journal. Tremblay contributed chapters to the fourth and fifth editions of NACAC’s Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling, serving as the co-editor of the sixth edition published in 2024.
Previous Award Winners:
- 2023 – David Burge
- 2022 – Jayne Caflin Fonash
- 2021 – NACAC Admission Practices Committee
- 2020 – Nancy Beane
- 2019 – David Kamimoto
- 2018 – The Steering Committee on Admission Practices under the leadership of Todd Rinehart
- 2017 – Lou Hirsh
- 2016 – Phyllis Gill
- 2015 – Alice Tanaka
- 2014 – Bridget Herrera
- 2013 – Frank Sachs
- 2012 – Patty Montague
- 2011 – Richard Powell
- 2010 – Peter Hauet
- 2009 – Samuel Moss
- 2008 – Carl ‘Sandy’ Behrend
- 2007 – Joseph Monte
- 2006 – Members of the Ad Hoc Committee on Graduate Coursework and Authors of the Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling: John Anderson, Robert Bardwell, Carl Behrend, Francis Bernstein, Susan Biemeret, Robin Brown, Elsa Clark, Steve George, Barbara Hall, Esther Hugo, Marybeth Kravets, Bradford MacGowan, Joseph Manning, Joan Mudge, Patrick O’Connor, Bill Pruden, Susan Rexford, Rebecca Rutsky, Rod Skinner, Jeffrey Smith, Susan Street, Scott White
- 2005 – Martin Wilder
- 2004 – Mary Hendry and William Neal (posthumous)
- 2003 – National College Fair Chairs Who Served the Program for More Than Five Years: Richard Bory, Mimi Grossman, Gwendolyn Hoover, Richard Hutchinson, Steve Kerge, Kathi Lecertua, Barbara Lowe, Frank Muzio, Susan Reantillo, Debbie Rupert, Marvin Sills, Alice Tanaka
- 2002 – Katy Murphy
- 2001 – Antonio Solorzano, Jr.
- 2000 – Audrey T. Hill
- 1999 – Patricia L. Burgh
- 1998 – William R. McClintick, Jr.
- 1997 – Marjorie S. Loennig
- 1996 – Mary Lee Hoganson
- 1995 – Margaret Williamson
- 1994 – Patricia Hawkins
- 1993 – Sharon M. Alston
- 1992 – Joyce E. Smith
- 1991 – Steven T. Syverson
- 1990 – Ron Ancrum
- 1989 – Joyce E. Suber
- 1988 – Carl F. Brown
- 1987 – Richard A. Stewart
- 1986 – Helen J. Pape
- 1984 – Sarah S. Heckscher
- 1983 – Conrad J. Sharrow
- 1981 – Ray A. Stines
- 1980 – Steven C. Munger
- 1979 – Joseph A. Monte
- 1977 – Anne M. Kennedy
- 1976 – Edward J. Yaw
- 1975 – Silas Purnell
- 1974 – George Giampetro
- 1973 – Richard Rowray
This award honors an individual(s) who advanced access to postsecondary education through a commitment to advocacy, ethical practices, and equity. NACAC members and non-members are eligible to receive this award.
About the 2024 Award Winner, Justin Draeger:
Justin Draeger is a recognized thought leader in postsecondary education and works as the senior vice president of affordability at Strada Education Foundation. In this leadership role, he works with Strada partners nationwide to drive transformative change in reducing the price of a quality post-high school education, increasing awareness about financial aid, and supporting state and institutional strategies that connect financial aid to talent and workforce development.
Draeger has worked in the postsecondary affordability and accessibility space for over two decades. Dedicated to aiding underserved populations, Draeger has committed most of his career to the idea that because of the transformative power of education, it should be as accessible as possible. Immediately before his appointment at Strada, he served for 14 years as the president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). In that role, he was the principal liaison between NASFAA members, the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and the media.
Since 2002, Draeger has been a key player in administering, interpreting, communicating, and shaping student financial aid policy. His diverse experience includes roles as a director of financial aid, regulatory and policy analyst, and spokesperson, along with senior positions in government relations, communications, and policy development. His expertise is widely recognized, and he has been a frequent source for national and trade press, appearing in the most-read newspapers, radio, and TV news shows nationwide.
Draeger serves on several boards dedicated to advancing health and education. His academic credentials include an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and a MBA from Baker College. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, he resides with his wife and family in Fairfax, Virginia. They are proud parents of two college students and one more teen preparing for their postsecondary journey.
Previous Award Winners:
- 2023 – John Mahoney
- 2022 – Patrick O’Connor
- 2021 – The Nepal Justice League
- 2020 – The Shawn Carter Foundation
- 2019 – Joyce E. Smith
- 2018 – The ACCEPT Facebook group (Founded by Marie Bigham, Steve Frappier, and Brandi Smith)
- 2017 – William R. Fitzsimmons and Carmen Lopez
- 2016- Stacy Lightfoot
- 2015 – Dr. Trish Hatch, Dr. Sandy Savitz-Romer, Campus Pride and Shane Windmeyer
- 2014 – First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama
- 2013 – Nicole Farmer Hurd and Ted O’Neill
- 2012 – Greg Darnieder
- 2011 – Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
- 2010 – Steve Peifer
- 2009 – Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
- 2008 – Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
- 2007 – Loren Pope
- 2006 – Hugh O’Brian
- 2005 – Irving Fradkin
- 2004 – Rep. David Obey (D-WI)
- 2002 – Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-OH), Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL), and Rep. Betty McCullum (D-MN)
- 2001 – Lee C. Bollinger
- 2000 – Richard Riley
- 1999 – William G. Bowen and Derek Bok
- 1998 – Tom Joyner
- 1997 – Dr. Benjamin Carson
- 1996 – Peggy Cooper Cafritz
- 1995 – David L. Boren
- 1994 – Eugene Lang
- 1993 – Arnold Mitchem
- 1992 – Sen. Herbert Kohl (D-WI) and Sen. Thomas Sawyer (D-OH)
- 1991 – Theodore Sizer
- 1990 – Augustus F. Hawkins
- 1989 – Harold L. Hodgkinson
- 1988 – Oluf Davidsen and George Hanford
- 1987 – Ernest L. Boyer
- 1986 – William D. Ford, Samuel L. Meyers and Paul Simon
- 1985 – Alexander W. Astin
- 1984 – Fred Hargadon
- 1983 – Francis Keppel
The Gayle C. Wilson Outstanding Service to the Profession Award honors NACAC members who provided outstanding service through counseling and assisting students in attaining their educational goals.
Below are several (but not all) of the criteria that is taking into consideration when selecting an award recipient for the Gayle C. Wilson Outstanding Service to the Profession Award.
- NACAC Membership: must be a current NACAC member
- Consistently serves and advocates for students with passion and integrity.
- Routinely serves students and families above and beyond the “call of duty”.
- Regularly mentors colleagues, provides inspiration and support, and uplifts the next generation of practitioners and leaders.
About the 2024 Award Winner, Mark Hatch:
For nearly four decades, Mark Hatch has held top leadership roles in a variety of educational settings. A native of New England, Mark earned his bachelor’s degree from Bates College and a graduate degree from Harvard University. He served as an assistant dean at Bates before moving to Los Angeles in 1991 to become a college counselor and teacher at Harvard-Westlake School. He later joined Marlborough School as the director of college counseling. In 1997, Mark returned to the college side as director of admission at Occidental College and led a team that doubled the applicant pool and stabilized the enrollment. During his 23-year tenure as vice president for enrollment at Colorado College, Mark helped to significantly increase the talent and diversity of the student body, supervised a team of 30 in admission and financial aid, launched a bold affordability plan for Colorado residents, and worked closely with other divisions on retention and student success initiatives. Mark retired from Colorado College as the vice president for enrollment emeritus in July 2024.
He has been a prominent speaker and panelist at national and international conferences. Mark also has served on numerous boards, including as president of the Common Application, vice chair of the High Mountain Institute, and foundation trustee for the Cloud Forest School in Monteverde, Costa Rica. He is the co-founder of the Gap Year Research Consortium and served on the Advisory Board for the Mastery Transcript. He is currently the vice chair of the Board of Directors for the Island School in Eleuthera, Bahamas. He plays recreational ice hockey, enjoys trail running, and has competed in several mountain races.
Previous Award Winners:
- 2023 – Mary Lou Bates
- 2022 -Mary Ann Willis
- 2021 – Thomas Butler and Sean Callaway
- 2020 – Dominique Jordan Turner
- 2019 – Nan Davis
- 2018 – Lynn Slaughter (posthumous) and Susan Biemeret
- 2017 – Youlonda Copeland-Morgan
- 2016 – Evelyn Boyd White
- 2015 – Bill Dingledine
- 2014 – Myron Arakawa
- 2013 – Carolyn Barnhart
- 2012 – George Mills
- 2011 – Esther Hugo
- 2010 – Marybeth Kravets
- 2009 – John Blackburn
- 2008 – Theodore Spencer
- 2007 – Kpakpundu Ezeze
- 2006 – Michael Barron
- 2005 – Angela ‘Nickie’ Roberson
- 2004 – Daniel Feldhaus and Edward Wall (posthumous)
- 2003 – Richard Stabell
- 2002 – Lonnie Barefield
- 2001 – Joseph P. Allen
- 2000 – Gary Williams
- 1999 – G. Gary Ripple
- 1998 – Roger Campbell
- 1997 – Peggy Templeton-Strong
- 1996 – Naomi Kuziemski
- 1995 – Sally LaGoy
- 1994 – Braxton Rethwisch
- 1993 – R. Russell Shunk
- 1992 – Anne M. Kennedy
- 1991 – James A. Alexander, Jr.
- 1990 – Joseph A. Monte
- 1989 – Lois C. Mazzuca
- 1988 – Margaret E. Addis
- 1987 – Sarah J. Needham
- 1986 – Jeanette B. Hersey
- 1985 – Mary Ann Schwalbe
- 1984 – Evelyn M. Yeagle
- 1983 – Donald G. Dickason
- 1982 – Charles E. Malone
- 1981 – Anna H. Bowditch
- 1980 – Marion Flagg
- 1979 – Emery R. Walker, Jr.
- 1978 – Mildred G. Fox
- 1977 – Harley Wyatt, Jr.
- 1976 – Louis H. Fritzmeier
- 1975 – Esther DeMerritt
- 1974 – Eugene S. Wilson
- 1973 – Harland W. White
The Government Relations Award is presented to a NACAC member or initiative that made outstanding contributions to advance policies that promote equal access to higher education, encourage student achievement, and further the government relations priorities of NACAC members.
About the 2024 Winner, the Indiana ACAC Advocacy Webinar Series (AWS):
The Indiana ACAC Advocacy Webinar Series (AWS) is a free, virtual training program hosted by the Government Relations Committee. AWS teaches Indiana’s ACAC membership how to advocate for students in higher education, read and understand legislation, and discuss current issues facing education. AWS is a prerequisite for membership to participate in INACAC’s State Advocacy Day, where membership discuss House and Senate bills with Indiana state legislators. The program consists of four webinars – in 2024, they covered an overview of the state legislative system; NACAC values and ways to advocate; gender identity, sexuality, and mental health; and other pertinent issues.
Previous Award Winners:
- 2023 – The Pennsylvania ACAC Government Relations Committee
- 2022 – Stephanie Brazinsky and Maria Ornelas
- 2021 – Ashley Young
- 2019 – Paul Welsh
- 2018 – Breanne Boyle
- 2017 – Sarah Summerhill
- 2016 – Jessica Sant
- 2015 – Grant Blume
- 2014 – Julie Fopma
- 2013 – Jayne Fonash
- 2012 – Ken Anselment
- 2011 – Bob Bardwell
- 2010 – Craig Dodson
- 2009 – Patrick O’Connor
- 2008 – Jon Westover
- 2007 – From Western ACAC: Kevin Buck, Elsa Clark, Esther Hugo, Esther Lopez, Rafael Magallan, Marc Meredith, Katy Murphy, and Loretta Whitson
- 2006 – Allen V. Lentino
- 2005 – New York State ACAC
- 2004 – Rose-Ellen Racanelli
- 2003 – Jim Miller
- 2002 – Frank Sachs
- 2001 – Braxton Rethwisch
The Inclusion, Access, and Success Award honors NACAC members who have made opportunities for historically underrepresented students in postsecondary education.
Meet the 2024 Award Winner, Melisa Hypolite:
Melisa Hypolite brings a wealth of experience to the field of education, working with learners ages five to 65 from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. She was born in Trinidad and migrated with her family to the United States when she was in elementary school. She attended high school in New Jersey and earned her college degree from Morgan State University. Her career began as a substitute teacher and progressed to roles such as assistant director of admissions at a trade school, adjunct college instructor, and most recently, director of strategic partnerships at the CollegeBound Foundation, where she champions college, career, and life readiness skills for students in Baltimore City Public Schools.
Fueled by a passion for educational equity, Melisa is a sought-after speaker at college access events, a published author, and a small business owner. Melisa’s commitment to the transformative power of education is evident in her daily actions. She is the president of the Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling (PCACAC) and a member of the National College Attainment Network (NCAN). Melisa also serves on the scholarship review committee for Senator Cory McCray (MD) and is a member of the Black Philanthropy Circle in her home city of Baltimore, Maryland. Melisa feels great pride in her relationship with her friends and family and her impact on her colleagues and students.
Previous Award Winners:
- 2023 – Naziat Hassan and Jennifer Jessie (Jenn The Tutor)
- 2022 – EMERGE
- 2021 – Yvonne Espinoza
- 2020 – Sylvester Rembert
- 2019 – Heidi Bonner
- 2018 – Catalina Cifuentes
- 2017 – Celina Barrera-Scott
- 2016 – Jonathan Burdick
- 2015 – Audrey Smith and Coalition for HB 1079
- 2014 – Janice Downing
- 2013 – Alfred Herrera and Julie Kampschroeder
- 2012 – Richard Alvarez
- 2011 – Chris Milton and Karen Staller
- 2010 – Aliza Gilbert and Posse Foundation
- 2009 – Admission Possible
- 2008 – College Goal Sunday
- 2007 – Advancement Via Individual Determination
- 2006 – Alejandra Rincón
- 2005 – Whitney Laughlin
- 2004 – Pathways to College Network
- 2003 – The Daniels Fund
- 2002 – Dr. Arnold Mitchem
- 2001 – Jacob Schramm
- 2000 – I Have a Dream Foundation
- 1999 – Susan Chipley
- 1998 – Roberto Haro
- 1997 – Edward Bell
- 1996 – Donald Johnson
- 1995 – Robert Albright, Gloria de Leon and Ernesto Nieto
- 1994 – Laurice Sommers
- 1993 – Carl F. Brown
- 1992 – J. Alan Marks and Betty Schneider
- 1991 – Silas Purnell
- 1990 – Samuel H. Johnson
- 1989 – Betty Fairfax
- 1988 – NACAC Human Relations Committees of 1986 & 1987 for the development of Guide for Parents: Ronald C. Ancrum, Rosetta L. Gooden, Audrey T. Hill, Naomi Kuziemski, Leslie K. Lane-Epps, Geverna Levels, Brian J. Lewis, Walter M. Pritchett, Clifton B. Rawles, Thedore Sherron and Anthonio Solorzano, Jr.
- 1987 – Clarence Mixon
- 1986 – Marion R. Flagg
- 1985 – Jack Wright
- 1984 – William R. Davis
The John B. Muir Excellence in Media Award honors NACAC members who have consistently made significant media-related contributions to the college admission counseling field.
All content must be free or included with NACAC membership. A wide variety of works will be considered, including those falling into the following categories:
Writing
A news article, op-ed, or long-form blog entry or blog series related to college admission counseling
Video
A documentary, or instructional or informational video (non-marketing) related to college admission counseling
Podcast Series
A series of podcasts related to college admission counseling
Author/Creator
Published a book or another major work in the past year
Social Media Campaign
Collective posts for one campaign in the past year
PSA Series
A themed series that supports the need for postsecondary education (or other college admission counseling themes)
About the 2024 Winner, Jim Jump:
Jim Jump retired in 2023 after 34 years at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, Virginia, where he served as academic dean and director of college counseling. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Randolph-Macon College and a master’s degree from the University of Delaware, and he previously served as an admission officer, philosophy instructor, and women’s basketball coach at the college level.
Jim is a past president of NACAC and a three-time past president of Potomac and Chesapeake ACAC. He writes the Ethical College Admissions column for Inside Higher Ed and is the author of the Ethical Practices chapter in the recently released sixth edition of Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling. He has been quoted extensively in national publications and interviewed on NPR’s “All Things Considered,” and in 2019 was named a college admission influencer by Forbes.
Previous Award Winners:
- 2023 – Timothy Fields and Shereem Herndon-Brown
- 2022 -Shanda Ivory
- 2021 – Ken Anselment
- 2020 – Jon Boeckenstedt
- 2017 – Tommy Lucas and Whitney Linsenmeyer, “Cutting Through a Crisis: Guiding Prospective Students and Families During Times of Unrest” (Spring 2016)
- 2016 – Dr. Tara Jabbaar-Gyambrah and Dr. Seneca Vaught, “Why College as an Investment is a Lousy Analogy” (Winter 2015)
- 2015 – Jason Klugman, “Creating a Community of Scholars on the Edge of Disaster” (Winter 2014)
- 2014 – Arthur Levine and Diane R. Dean, “It’s Only Technology If It Happens After You Are Born” (Summer 2013)
- 2013 – Benjamin S. Baum, “LGBT Applicants and Challenges for Admission: Five Cases” (Fall 2012)
- 2012 – Amy Liu, “The Admission Industrial Complex: Examining Entrepreneurial Impact on College Access” (Winter 2011)
- 2011 – Ryan Gildersleeve, “Access Between and Beyond Borders” (Winter 2010) and Anne Pabst, “The Search for Sustainable Girls” (Fall 2010)
- 2010 – Jonathon Epstein, “Behind the SAT-Optional Movement: Context and Controversy” (Summer 2009)
- 2009 – Angel Pérez, “Struggling Between Two Worlds: How College Affects Identity Construction” (Winter 2008)
- 2008 – Kirsten Olson, “Hyperventilating: The Concerted Cultivation of the Teenager” (Summer 2007)
- 2007 – Joyce Vining Morgan, “Yves: Hope Against the Odds” (Summer 2006)
- 2006 – Sam Patterson, “How Much is Too Much? Effective and Ethical Response to Application Essays” (Fall 2005)
- 2005 – Kelly Herrington, “The Pleasure, Privledge and Agony of Application Reading” (Summer 2004)
- 2004 – Carla Shere and Mark Hicks, “Toward Reflective Admission Work: New Direction for Thoughts and Practice” (Spring 2003)
- 2003 – Sarah Myers McGinty, “Issues of Access: The College Application Essay” (Fall 2002)
- 2002 – John L. Mahoney, “Perception of the Profession is Cause for Concern” (Winter 2001)
- 2001 – Frank D. Sachs, “The Evolvement of Parent Education in the College Counseling Process” (Fall 2000)
- 2000 – Kim Stafford, “College Recruitment Night” (Spring/Summer 1999)
- 1999 – Van Sturgeon, “The Day I Turned Stupid” (Summer 1998)
- 1998 – Michael Smith, “Multicultural Admission: From Paper Policy to Institutional Committment” (Summer 1997)
- 1997 – James Alexander, Anne L. Bryant, Gwendolyn Jordan Dungy, Jean H. Fetter, Bill Fitzsimmons, Lawrence E. Gladieux, Mary Lee Hoganson, Don Johnson, Marybeth Kravets, Judy Rolfe, Ted Spencer, Peter Van Tyle, and Albert C. Yates, Special Issue: Diversity (Summer/Fall 1996)
- 1996 – Ron W. Moss, “A Generation of Variance: Are We Prepared?” (Fall 1995)
- 1995 – Peter Van Tyle, “How to Keep College Admission Officers at Their Desks and Out of the Courtroom” (Winter 1995)
- 1994 – Frank C. Leana, “Blueberry Pancakes, Please” (Summer 1994)
- 1993 – Maryam Ahamad, Edward Bell, Charlene Blue Horse, Deborah B. Bowles, Frank Burtnett, Deborah J. Carter, Richard Ferguson, John Hollifield, Naomi Kuziemski, Whitney Laughlin, Laudelina Martinez, Suzannne D. Mintz, Arnold Mitchem, Michael Rowland, William E. Sedlacek, Charles Shom, Donald M. Stewart, and Kristin Tichenor; Achieving Diversity: Strategies for the Recruitment and Retention of Traditionally Underrepresented Students
- 1992 – Bethany L. Spotts, “Creating a Successful Minority Affairs Position” (Spring 1991)
- 1991 – B. Ann Wright, “Smile When You Say Performance Appraisal” (Winter 1990)
- 1989 – Steven Munger, A Guide to the College Admissions Process
- 1988 – Jean Ballard Terepka
- 1987 – E. Douglas Norton, “Intervention in Burnout and Substance Abuse in the Admissions Professions” (Spring 1987)
- 1986 – Daniel C. Tyson, “The Montezuma Eight: A Moral Challenge to the Admissions Profession” (Winter 1986)
- 1985 – David Chapman and Susan L. Benati, “The Structure of Salaries in College Admissions” (Spring 1985)
- 1984 – Suzanne McColloch and Betsy Porter, “No-Need Scholarships: Practices, Trends, and Attitudes” (Fall 1983)