2025 Rising Star Award Winners
The Rising Star Award honors individuals and programs that exemplify excellence and dedication to serving the needs of students in the transition from high school to college.
This award encourages NACAC affiliates to look within their associations, identify and nurture those new members and programs that are deserving of this honor and also encourage the honorees to continue their professional development through membership in NACAC.
Program Winners
The International ACAC Annual Conference Book Drive emerged in 2023 from our membership’s response to growing concerns about students’ lack of access to inclusive and representative literature. The initiative invited members to donate books that reflect diverse identities, cultures, and voices, including titles from lists of banned books. The inaugural drive supported the Books for Free program in Miami, and its success inspired continued efforts at future conferences. In 2024, books were distributed through London, Ontario’s Book for Every Child campaign. For their 2025 conference in Boston, the initiative continues as International ACAC partners with More Than Words, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.
More than a donation effort, the book drive has become a unifying force within International ACAC’s community, providing members with a meaningful way to act on our values. It has sparked important conversations about equity and how we can collectively support under-resourced communities. By ensuring children have access to stories that reflect their lived experiences, the book drive advances our mission in a tangible and lasting way, turning advocacy into impact.
OACAC Emerging Leaders Retreat is a unique experience to explore many profession-related topics. This participatory-style retreat is an overnight experience for individuals who have been nominated by an OACAC member. Emerging Leader participants who are in their first five years of the profession (college admissions, secondary school/college counseling, community-based organizations, education consulting, etc.) and who are OACAC members are candidates for this immersive experience with OACAC mentor leaders. The goal of the retreat is to provide participants with networking opportunities and skill-building sessions to prepare them to become future leaders within OACAC and our profession.
Individual Winners
Hannah Viet serves as the Assistant Director of Admissions at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota. A proud DSU alumna, she earned her BBA in Business Management in 2022 and has been a dedicated member of the Undergraduate Admissions Office for the past two years.
Hannah began her journey at DSU as an Admissions Counselor and quickly advanced into her current role, where she now supervises the admissions counselors, coordinates events, provides training and onboarding for new staff, and still manages a small recruitment territory near Madison. Her passion for supporting students during the college transition is at the heart of everything she does.
Known for her energy, creativity, and commitment to continuous growth, Hannah is excited to keep building her career in admissions and to dive even deeper into the world of higher education.
Tate Lovin is an Admissions Representative at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Now in her fourth year in admissions, she works with students from Northwest and North Central Kansas, as well as Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming.
In 2022, Tate earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology; she also holds minors in Leadership Studies and Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, as well as a certificate in Non-Violence Studies from Kansas State University. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Adult Learning and Leadership, with a certificate in Academic Advising, and expects to graduate in May 2026.
Through GPACAC, Tate is actively involved in Membership and Engagement, Professional Development, and Inclusion, Access, and Success Committees. She chairs the Rural Community Support Special Interest Group, fostering dialogue and strategies to better support rural communities, schools, students, and educators. She has also co-chaired and participated in the Mentorship Program, helping members form meaningful professional connections, and co-chaired the planning committee for the inaugural Summer Institute program for GPACAC’s colleagues in the state of Kansas.
Tate is a passionate advocate for Kansas State’s land-grant mission and is committed to expanding access to higher education for all students.
Brandon currently serves as the College Counselor at Maryknoll School, Hawaiʻi’s largest coeducational PreK-12 Catholic school located in Honolulu on the Island of Oʻahu. In this role, he helps his students find the best-fit college or university based on their post-graduate goals and personal interests through personalized college counseling. In addition, he co-teaches Junior Seminar (Maryknoll School’s college planning course), manages the school’s dual credit partnership with Hawaiʻi Pacific University, and plans and executes various college counseling events across all grade levels (9-12). He also serves as Maryknoll School’s Testing Coordinator, where he oversees the administration of the PSAT 8/9, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT School Day, and AP Exams.
Before he arrived at Maryknoll School, he spent about five and a half years of his professional career in higher education (specifically within undergraduate admissions), where he held various roles involving recruitment, recruitment and yield event management, campus tour and student ambassador program management, enrollment operations, etc.
Outside of his work as a college counselor, he serves on the Hawaiʻi Association for College Admission Counseling (HACAC) Executive Board as Co-Chair of the Technology Committee. He is grateful to be part of such an impactful organization and is committed to upholding HACACʻs mission in his service to the organization.
Since entering the College Counseling profession, Brandon has made it his mission to understand and dismantle the barriers that prevent students from accessing higher education. This work is deeply personal to him, and he remains committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Brian Harris (he/him),M.A.I.O is an experienced professional with a diverse background in higher education admissions, research consulting, college recruitment, counseling, and marketing, combined with a solid foundation in customer service and retail management. He has a proven ability to drive engagement strategies, enhance individual experience, and deliver exceptional leadership across various organizations, with some including Columbia College Chicago, University of Illinois – Chicago, DePaul University, and Illinois Association of College Admissions Counseling (IACAC).
At the forefront of his work is an emphasis on helping individuals, teams, and organizations prioritize human-centered, evidence-based growth. Brian believes that the success of any organization begins with the connectivity and community amongst its people. To achieve this optimal performance, Brian assists individuals in learning to build their ability to practice self-awareness and communicate effectively through assessments, workshops, trainings, and coaching services. Brian is committed to helping you, your team, and your organization create a collaborative and authentic space aimed at fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging that is directly aligned with its’ strategic goals.
Currently, Brian serves as the Chief of Staff and Director of Strategic & Transformative Initiatives at the University of Cincinnati, Office of Central Admissions. In this role, he leads divisional strategy, strengthens operational clarity, and fosters a culture of alignment, accountability, and innovation. Brian is working to build structures that empower leadership, enhance collaboration, and drive results across a complex enrollment management landscape. His work is rooted in empathy, equity, and the belief that transformative change starts with people.
Emily was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana and is currently the Director of Admissions at the University of Indianapolis. She graduated from DePauw University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Writing and earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Marian University. After spending four years as a middle school English teacher and instructional coach, she joined the admissions team at the University of Indianapolis in 2020. Since then, she has progressed from Admissions Counselor to her current position as Director of Undergraduate Admissions where she leads her team in enrolling each new freshman class.
Emily takes pride in staff development, regularly planning a variety of onboarding and professional growth opportunities for her team. She loves working for her city’s namesake institution and values the academic and professional opportunities it provides. Her involvement with INACAC has focused on the Membership Committee, where she supports the organization’s membership growth.
When she’s not at work, Emily enjoys practicing yoga, baking, reading, and playing fetch with her golden retriever, Ellie.
Mabrookah Heneidi is the Executive Director of the Gazan Student Support Network and formerly the Director of University Counseling at an IB school in Jordan. She received her M.B.A. from London Business School and B.A. from Stanford University in Human Biology and Middle Eastern studies. After working in strategy consulting and economic development, she transitioned to the education sector.
While she began working professionally as a university counselor in 2014, she has been involved in mentoring high school students through the college application process since 2003, when she began volunteering with first-generation students at a Title I high school in California. That experience opened her eyes to issues of representation and advocacy and has inspired her to this day to support students in accessing higher education as a means for social change.
Kimberly Grim is starting her fifth year at Simpson College in Indianola, IA. Kimberly graduated from Simpson in 2021 and is currently serving as a Senior Admission Counselor. As a student, Kimberly held multiple positions in the Office of Admissions including Student Ambassador, Lead Student Ambassador and Undergraduate Assistant of Transfer Recruitment before joining the professional staff after graduation. As a Senior Admissions Counselor, Kimberly works with students from southeastern Iowa, supervises Storm Squad, the student communication team, assists in enrollment events. Kimberly chaired the first annual visit day this summer for College and Career Transition coaches in central Iowa. Kimberly also serves as a member of the college’s employee advising council board.
Kimberly’s love for college bound students stem from being a first-generation student herself. It was because of her admission counselor that attending college became a reality! Kimberly’s hope is to help students from similar backgrounds learn about the college admission process and the amazing opportunities available to them.
When not at work, Kimberly enjoys spending time with her soon-to-be two-year-old son, Hayden, and husband Brock. Kimberly also serves on the Filipino American Society of Iowa’s Scholarship Committee. Kimberly can be found spending time with her family or attending local Filipino events. No matter where she goes, you can see her repping the Storm!
Katherine Whitaker is rounding out her third year as an Admissions Counselor at the University of Louisville in Louisville, KY. Originally from southeastern Kentucky and a graduate of UofL, Katherine spent her first two years in the Office of Admissions serving students in the central and eastern areas of the commonwealth, especially enjoying working with and advocating for rural populations. As a member of KYACAC, Katherine has also been part of the Scholarship Committee, helping to select and award scholarships to students throughout the state during the KYCAC annual conference. She feels lucky to witness the transformative power of access and education, both within her own life and the lives of her students!
Samantha VanHorn is an experienced event coordinator with over six years in the industry, including three years at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU). She has successfully brought numerous students to campus and hosts more than 20 events annually, with the largest event drawing over 10,000 attendees—a collaborative effort where she serves as one of the main leads. Samantha is actively involved in Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling (MACAC), where she co-chairs the College Fair Committee. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from SVSU and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University. Samantha’s expertise in event coordination and leadership has made her a pivotal figure in fostering student engagement and enhancing campus experiences.
Annie Dockendorf (she/her) is an educator committed to student access and relationship-centered leadership. She joined the University of St. Thomas (MN) admissions team in 2022, bringing her experience as a classroom teacher and her passion for empathy-focused education to the college side of the desk. She seeks to build programs and partnerships that foster belonging and success for all students and upcoming professionals.
Annie serves on the Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling board as a Tri-Chair of the Inclusion Access and Success Committee. She holds a BA from the College of St. Benedict, a M.Ed. from Creighton University, and is pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Learning from the University of St. Thomas.
Beverly is currently a Senior Assistant Director of Admission at Smith College, serving on the Diversity & Access Recruitment team. After graduating from Smith, she received an English Teaching Assistant Award through the U.S. Fulbright Program, which began her career in Education working with middle schoolers through adult learners, from Malaysia to Massachusetts. While working for Tenacity in Boston, a sports-based pathway to post- secondary success, she grew interested in college access and ultimately found her way back to her alma mater. Since joining Smith Admission in 2021, she has been a member of NEACAC, attended each Annual Meeting & Conference and serves on the IDEA Committee by organizing the Margaret Addis Memorial Scholar Program. Beverly most enjoys reading applications, coordinating Smith’s Counselor Advisory Board and facilitating ice breakers with her team.
After beginning her career in education with the School District of Philadelphia, Mrs. Lai Ara D. Powell spent five formative years integrating her passion for higher education into every aspect of her work. That passion deepened after she relocated to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where she officially transitioned into higher education while earning her master’s degree in Higher Education Administration.
Currently, she is pursuing her Doctor of Education (EdD) with a research focus on the intersection of equity and access in college advising. Her research is a direct reflection of her commitment to removing barriers and expanding opportunities for underserved students.
Over the past decade, her work has been driven by a clear mission: to create meaningful opportunities for exposure, access, and empowerment. She is deeply committed to equipping students not just to attend college, but to discover who they are in the process. For her, higher education is about more than a degree—it’s about personal growth, the lessons learned beyond the classroom, and the transformative journey of self-discovery.
This recognition is not simply a reflection of her efforts, but a tribute to the collective work of many, and most importantly, to the students whose success remains at the heart of it all.
Caitlin Domagal is an associate director of admission at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. A native of central New York, Cait earned her Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo and M.Ed. from Penn State University. After four years as a college counselor at KIPP DC College Prep, she returned to New York State and has been part of the NYSACAC community since 2022. Cait currently serves as co-chair of NYSACAC’s Professional Development Committee, where her work focuses on planning state-wide regional forums and an annual Student Leadership in Admissions conference. She has also been active in NYSACAC’s College Tours and Silent Auction conference planning committees. At Syracuse University, Cait leads domestic recruitment and counselor initiatives.
Nina Reinbolt has built her four-year higher education career in admissions and enrollment management at The University of Akron in Akron, Ohio, where she currently serves as the Assistant Director of Admissions. Nina is a proud graduate from The University of Akron, having earned her bachelor’s degree in Education in 2020, followed by her master’s degree in Higher Education & Student Affairs in 2022 from Kent State University. Throughout her time in the field, Nina has stayed heavily involved in the Ohio Association for College Admission Counseling (OACAC), having served on the planning committee for Articulation programs, Annual Conference, and Summer Institute, which she has chaired for two years. Nina’s role now is the Events & Programming Chair for OACAC, overseeing all major events within the organization. Nina was honored to receive the 2025 OACAC New Member Award and be a 2025 NACAC Rising Star recipient. Nina has been a proud member of OACAC and NACAC since 2021. She is ecstatic to also have the opportunity to serve as a co-chair of the Registration Sub-Committee for this year’s conference.
In her free time, Nina enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, reading, traveling on cruises and to Disney World, eating tacos, and watching Steelers Football.
Natalie Wagner was born and raised in Arizona, but now resides in Seattle, Washington and serves as the Regional Recruiter in the Pacific Northwest for the University of Arizona. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Elementary Education, and continued to receive a Master’s degree from Northern Arizona University in Elementary Education as well. She spent six years teaching second grade in Phoenix, Arizona before making the career change to work in higher education at her alma mater in the Office of Admissions. This role change eventually led to a move from Arizona to Washington, accompanied by her husband and their dog. Working in higher education and admissions has brought many exciting opportunities for Natalie, from serving on the ARROW Board (Association for Regional Representatives of Oregon and Washington) as the Counselor Receptions Co-Chair, to exploring much of the beauty of Washington and Oregon by car. Natalie’s passion is education, and she is grateful for the many students, families, counselors, and colleagues she has had the chance to work with and support in her variety of roles as an educator and strong advocate for learning.
Lucia Garabo is the Assistant Director of Admission at her alma mater, Susquehanna University, where she has developed a passion for helping prospective students find their path to higher education. In late 2021, a few years after earning her Bachelor’s degrees from Susquehanna in 2018, Lucia transitioned from federal service to higher education. Since joining the admissions team at Susquehanna University, she has focused on recruitment efforts for students from New Jersey and international backgrounds, while also collaborating on multicultural recruitment initiatives to enhance diversity and inclusion within the campus community.
Lucia became involved with the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC) in 2022. She has served on the PACAC Conference Planning Committee and are currently the Chair of the Government Relations Committee. In recognition of their contributions to the field, Lucia was honored with the James McKeever Promising Professional Award at PACAC’s 2024 Conference. This prestigious award acknowledges promising professionals early in their careers in college admissions and counseling.
With a passion for student success and community engagement, Lucia continues to make a significant impact both at Susquehanna University and within the broader admissions community.
Shawn Ficadenti is the Senior Assistant Director for Recruitment Travel at James Madison University (JMU) in Virginia, where his primary responsibility is to provide strategic leadership and guidance for the office’s recruitment travel efforts. Throughout his seven years in undergraduate admissions, Shawn finds the most fulfillment supporting students who might not have otherwise considered higher education as an option, especially within his picturesque and mountainous assigned region of Southwest Virginia. As he reflects on his career, Shawn identifies one major pilar to his happiness, productivity, and overall success is because of the colleagues he’s been surrounded by. From the Radford University team that got through COVID together to the current JMU Admissions Office, Shawn feels incredibly fortunate to have a support system around him who continually encourages his professional goals, aspirations, and ideas. Through his work directly with the Potomac & Chesapeake ACAC, he founded the LGBTQ+ & Ally SIG in 2020 and created the inaugural Pride Month Series, which was later awarded the Program Rising Star Award in 2022. In 2024, he was onboarded as the SIG Committee Chair and now oversees a dozen unique Special Interest Groups.
Shawn received his M.Ed. in College Student Personnel Administration from JMU and his B.S. in Psychology and B.B.A in Management from Radford University.
Ashley is a dedicated campus-based admission counselor at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, where she recently completed her second year serving prospective students and their families. A proud first-generation college graduate, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Digital and Social Media from Brigham Young University–Idaho in 2023. During her undergraduate years, Ashley developed a strong foundation in student support through her work as a campus tour guide, student life mentor, and active volunteer across multiple campus departments.
Motivated by the guidance she received during her own college journey, Ashley found her passion in higher education and student recruitment. In her current role, she focuses on engaging and supporting students from Idaho and Utah County, helping them navigate the transition to university life.
Ashley is also active in the professional higher education community. She serves on the RMACAC communications committee and has held multiple leadership roles within UACRAO, including past conference committee member, conference co-chair, and current conference chair for the upcoming 2026 conference.
Emily McDonald grew up in a rural town in southeastern Pennsylvania before moving to Nashville in 2016 to join Teach For America. After four years teaching English, college prep, and electives, she became the founding director of college access and success at Intrepid College Prep’s high school, Independence Academy. In this role, she guides students on their college and career journeys through individual counseling and college programming. Outside of work, Emily enjoys exercising, spending time with her two dogs, and exploring Nashville with her husband.
As a graduate of Angelo State University, I bring over 10 years of experience in higher education, having worked in housing, financial aid, and admission at both private and public institutions. As a first-generation college graduate, I draw from my own experiences navigating life and higher education to connect with students, parents, and professionals from all backgrounds. I’m also a proud member of TACAC and currently serve as a leadership member of HARN, which strengthens my commitment to supporting students and colleagues in their educational and professional journeys. My approach to recruitment is rooted in empathy and a deep understanding of the challenges many face. Whether first-generation or not, I’m simply passionate about helping individuals make informed decisions that empower them to take control of their future in higher education and beyond.
Ryan Brinkman currently serves as assistant director of admissions for Saint Mary’s College of California. Ryan got his start in admission at Pepperdine University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 2023 and his master’s in 2025. Since joining Western ACAC (WACAC) in 2023, Ryan quickly established himself as an emerging leader in the college admission profession. His contributions and leadership potential were recognized when he was appointed to the WACAC executive board, where he currently serves as the Government Relations and Advocacy Committee chair-elect, channeling his passion for policy and student advocacy into meaningful action that benefits students across California and Nevada.
Ryan’s lifelong passion centers on increasing student access to higher education through any avenue possible and helping others to do the same. Ryan is extremely grateful and appreciative for the invaluable relationships and connections he has fostered in WACAC and the opportunities that WACAC has provided in professional development and mentorship. Looking ahead, Ryan is excited to continue growing in his advocacy for students and as a lifetime learner wherever he is lucky enough to serve, whether it be in WACAC or at his institution.
Will moved to Wisconsin from Michigan in 2019 to attend Marian University and started working full-time for his alma mater in 2022 as an admission counselor. He completed his Bachelor of Business Administration in 2023 and earned his Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Development from Lakeland University in August 2025. Will currently serves as the chair of the Inclusion, Access, & Success Committee for the Wisconsin ACAC, which has developed bus grant and scholarship programs to support students. Will looks forward to advancing his career and working to make higher education an accessible option for all.