2026 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. (Note: Missouri ACAC and Rocky Mountain ACAC do not have Rising Star awardees for 2026.)
The 2026 Rising Star Awards are made possible by:
Program Winners
The Advocacy Challenge for Tomorrow is built on a simple idea: small actions add up to meaningful ones. Each month members are asked to complete one small challenge. And each month the challenge grows just a little larger. GPACAC members began this year by registering to vote and reflecting on their “why.” As the challenges pushed members out of their comfort zones, remembering their “why” was strong ground from which they could move forward with confidence. Members were challenged to build relationships with elected officials, starting with research before personal introductions by email, by phone, and at community events. The year’s ACT ended with one of the most impactful advocacy opportunities: to show up at a state-level advocacy day.
While advocacy can so easily be seen as intimidating, breaking it down into small steps opened the door for members who have never thought of themselves as advocates. The core of advocacy is building relationships and sharing stories – and doing so for greater impact. And when we all participate, we create a better future together.
NYSACAC’s Ketchup Series is an on-going series of virtual conversations designed to keep colleagues up to speed on hot topics in the college admissions world. These are quick lunch-hour sessions that offer timely insights, fresh perspectives, and meaningful dialogue.
This monthly series is also used to promote upcoming NYSACAC professional development events like Winter Institute, regional professional development forums, and the annual conference.
Launched in 2024, WACAC’s Conference Marketing & Branding initiative has transformed conference promotion through a creative, multimodal approach that extends beyond traditional email outreach. By leveraging video, social media, consistently themed branding, innovative collateral, and the creativity of WACAC members, WACAC has built a dynamic and recognizable conference identity that engages members across platforms.
This strategy has driven significant results, including increased engagement, growth in sponsorship and exhibitor participation, and expanded member involvement. Whether WACAC members are gathering around “A Seat At the Table” in Sacramento, going “All In” in Las Vegas, or giving each other “Room to Bloom” in their professional development in Pasadena, WACAC Conference’s Marketing and Branding has strengthened community connection and elevated the annual conference as a signature WACAC experience not to be missed!
Individual Winners
Colby Oetken is an admissions counselor at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, where he has spent the past two and a half years helping prospective students and their families discover the opportunities higher education can provide. Colby earned both his BBA in Management and Marketing and his MBA in Business Leadership through USD’s business school.
Since joining the admissions profession, Colby has had opportunities to grow as a leader while enhancing the student experience. He has contributed to recruitment strategy and communication initiatives that support students throughout the college search and enrollment process. His collaboration and commitment to continuous improvement have allowed him to make an impact both within the office and across campus.
Colby is passionate about building genuine relationships with students and families, high school counselors, and campus partners. As an emerging leader, Colby looks forward to continuing to serve students, grow in his profession, and advocate for educational opportunities that help every student reach their goals.
Skyler Stefanski was born and raised in Lincoln, NE, before attending Wayne State College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications in May of 2022. He began his career in higher education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in April 2023 and now serves as an Assistant Director within the Office of Admissions.
Over the last 3 years, Skyler has worked to recruit homegrown Huskers from across the state, working primarily with students from the Panhandle and from his hometown of Lincoln. Alongside this, Skyler has had the pleasure of working on the Government Relations Committee for the Great Plains Affiliate. As a member of this committee, he has worked with both local and federal officials to strengthen access to higher education and advocate for both sides of the desk.
Cheyne Nomura is the Grade 12 & College Counselor at Sacred Hearts Academy, the largest all-girls school in the state of Hawai‘i. In his role, he helps young women navigate their post-graduate pathways and find the right collegiate fit. He enjoys incorporating his faith and contributing to the mission of the school, to provide “girls and young women an exceptional education, the experience of God’s compassionate love revealed in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary and the inspiration to become leaders for their communities and the world”. He was previously the college counselor at Hawai‘i School for Girls at La Pietra, the institution to whom he is eternally grateful for being entrusted with the role as a first-time college counselor and the opportunity to strengthen their college-counseling program. He also served as a school counselor and high-school English teacher for seven years. Cheyne is also on the Hawai‘i ACAC (HACAC) Board as the sitting Treasurer and enjoys serving on WASC Visiting Committees for accreditation.
In his free time, Cheyne enjoys spending time with his wife, 2-year-old daughter, listening to Kylie Minogue and Stick Figure, checking out more books at the library than he typically has time to read, strategizing alongside the Faithfuls while watching The Traitors, and working as a part-time House Manager at Diamond Head Theatre.
Professional inspirations include Sue Corner (Willamette University), Abby Maresh (Creighton University), Farris James (Assets High School), Cullen Arroyo (‘Iolani School), and Ixchel López -Durant (Hawai‘i School for Girls at La Pietra).
He holds degrees from Hawai‘i Pacific University (BA, English; M.Ed, Secondary Education) and a College Advising certificate from Columbia University.
“Mahalo to Hawai‘i ACAC for this honor!”
Derrick M. Sosinski (Springfield, IL), currently an Assistant Director of Admission at his alma mater, Millikin University (Decatur, IL), is Illinois ACAC’s (IACAC) 2026 Rising Star recipient.
In his almost 10 years at Millikin, Derrick has led with a servant-leader philosophy, first in student development and retention, and the last seven in recruitment. Derrick is dedicated to providing opportunities and an exceptional experience for all students, ensuring they can make the best decision for their future.
Over the past two years, Derrick has stepped into leadership within the IACAC Conference Committee, serving on the Raffle/Fundraising team, and volunteering in several other areas, including the IL College Fair Committee, IL National College Fair Committee, and more. Derrick is passionate about education and maintaining a sense of belonging for students, and his favorite part about his role is connecting directly with students and families.
Hillary Cheaney is a Senior Admission Counselor at Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she works with Indianapolis Public Schools and charter schools to help students navigate the college admissions process. A proud Marian alumna, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English in 2013 and her Master of Arts in Teaching in 2014 before spending nearly a decade as a middle school English Language Arts teacher. As she approaches her third year in college admissions, Hillary is passionate about expanding access to higher education, advocating for students, and helping them see what’s possible for their future. She credits her colleagues and mentors at Marian, the dedicated high school counselors she partners with, and – most importantly – the students whose stories inspire her every day. She believes every student deserves someone in their corner and is grateful for the opportunity to help stand in the gap as students pursue their college goals. Outside of work, Hillary enjoys exploring new coffee shops, reading, and spending time with her husband and family.
Anika Brennan is a college counselor with Elimisha Kakuma, a refugee-led and refugee-run organization based in Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp, the third largest refugee camp in the world and home to more than 350,000 refugees from 20 countries. In a setting where opportunities for higher education remain extraordinarily limited and education is widely viewed as the clearest path toward opportunity and self-determination, Anika works to expand access and help students navigate pathways to university.
Over the past five years, Anika has served in multiple roles with Elimisha Kakuma, beginning as a volunteer before relocating to Kenya in 2024 to work full time as Program Manager and College Counselor, and later as Co-Academic Director and College Counselor. Her work focuses on supporting students through the transition from secondary education to higher education—an area often underserved in refugee education systems.
Through her counseling and leadership, Anika has helped place 57 students in universities across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, Kenya, and Costa Rica on full-ride scholarships, securing an estimated $1.5 million in financial aid. Her work reflects a commitment to expanding educational access and creating opportunities for refugee students to pursue futures beyond the constraints of displacement.
Gabby McCoy is an Enrollment Advisor at Des Moines Area Community College. Originally from Carlisle, Iowa, she attended Wartburg College, where she majored in Journalism and Communication with emphases in Public Relations and Multimedia Journalism. During her first year at Wartburg, Gabby began working in the admission office—an experience that sparked her passion for college admission and student support.
Throughout her time at Wartburg, Gabby expanded her experience by shadowing prospective student meetings and attending college fairs, deepening her understanding of the enrollment process and the impact of college access work. Following her graduation in May 2024, she joined Cornell College as an Admission Representative and Head Cheer Coach before transitioning to her current role at Des Moines Area Community College in April 2026.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Gabby serves as the Publication and Marketing Chair for the Iowa Association for College Admission Counseling, where she contributes to member engagement and communications across the association.
Completing her fourth year in college admissions counseling at Murray State University, Sarah Bazzell currently serves students and their families in Western Kentucky, while previously serving in Central and Eastern Kentucky and in St. Louis, Missouri. As a two-time graduate of Murray State University, she is proud to give back to the campus community that has given her so much!
During her time with Kentucky ACAC (KYACAC), she has been a member of the College Fair Committee for one year and the Scholarship Committee for four years.
She is extremely grateful to be able to award scholarships to such deserving students, so they are able to begin their college journey.
Sarah Pelyhes is the newly appointed International Recruitment Coordinator at Kalamazoo College. Prior to joining K, she earned her master’s degree in Global Higher Education from the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares and taught ESL at a local primary school, an experience she continues to draw upon whenever possible.
As a former international student herself, albeit in a different context, Sarah is passionate about making international education opportunities more accessible and easier to navigate for both students and counselors. She is committed to helping demystify the international admissions process and creating pathways that empower students to pursue global learning experiences with confidence.
Paige Mackedanz has worked with students in college admissions since 2022 and seeks to provide a student-centered, enthusiastic, and innovative approach to the field. With a passion for relationship-building, she seeks to foster a sense of inclusion and belonging among the students she supports in her work as a Senior Admission Counselor at Concordia University St. Paul.
Paige serves on the Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling (MACAC) board as a Tri-Chair of the Communications Committee and has served as a Camp College Mentor for the MACAC Inclusion, Access, and Success Committee.
She holds a B.A. from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and is pursuing an M.A. in Education with a Trauma and Resilience Focus from Concordia University St. Paul.
Alex Torres Morales is a college access professional with experience in both college admissions and nonprofit program management.
Before joining Minds Matter Boston, he worked in undergraduate admissions at Providence College, where he recruited, evaluated, and supported prospective students throughout the college application process. In his current role, Alexander leads student recruitment, oversees summer program initiatives, and manages programming that helps high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds prepare for college success.
He is passionate about expanding access to higher education, building strong community partnerships, and supporting students in the transition from high school to college.
Victoria Farley is a dedicated and results-driven higher education professional currently serving as the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Ambassador Liaison at her alma mater, St. Thomas Aquinas College. In this dual capacity, Victoria spearheads strategic student recruitment and enrollment efforts across key regional markets, specifically focusing on Northern New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As the Ambassador Liaison, she provides pivotal leadership, training, and mentorship to the student ambassador cohort, ensuring they effectively represent the institution’s core values and vibrant campus culture to prospective families.
Beyond her institutional responsibilities, Victoria is a highly active leader within the broader college counseling landscape through her extensive involvement with the New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling (NJACAC). Demonstrating a steadfast commitment to advancing the profession, she has assumed several critical leadership roles within the association, including Co-Chair of Professional Development, College Representative on the Executive Board, and an active member of the annual conference planning committee. Victoria serves as a professional mentor to emerging admissions counselors and has presented on enrollment trends and best practices at numerous NJACAC conferences.
Always looking to learn, grow, and bring new skills to her team, Victoria is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration with a specialized concentration in Marketing. This program helps her bring advanced marketing and branding strategies into her daily recruitment work.
Victoria credits much of her professional fulfillment to the invaluable network of colleagues and collaborative connections she has cultivated through NJACAC, and she remains grateful for the leadership pathways the association facilitates. She takes immense pride in collaborating daily with a high-performing admissions team at St. Thomas Aquinas College, where she remains focused on institutional growth and innovation. Driven by a deep-seated passion for student success, access to education, and community engagement, Victoria continues to leave a lasting, positive imprint on both her home campus and the wider higher education community.
Madison is the Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Rochester, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in French and Spanish from St. John Fisher University and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Rochester.
At URochester, she serves on the application review team, oversees counselor relations and new admissions counselor training, while also supporting recruitment efforts throughout the Midwest.
She is an active leader within the admissions counseling profession, serving as Co-Chair of the Newsletter Committee for the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling (NYSACAC) for three years and as a member of its Conference Steering Committee. She will soon step into the role of Secretary of NYSACAC.
At the national level, she participated in NACAC’s NEXT Leadership Program and later served as a mentor for a subsequent cohort, supporting the development of emerging admissions professionals.
Through her work and service, she is committed to supporting students and families throughout the college search process.
Jessica Burkley has built her four-year higher education career in admissions at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, where she currently serves as the Assistant Director of Admissions & Coordinator of Student Ambassadors. Jess is a proud graduate from Thiel College, having earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and International Studies in 2021.
Throughout her time recruiting in NE and NW Ohio, Jess has stayed involved in the Ohio Association for College Admission Counseling (OACAC), having served on the planning committee for Annual Conference for two years. Jess’s role now is the Membership Co-Chair for OACAC, overseeing membership insights. Jess is honored to receive the 2026 OACAC New Member Award and be a 2026 NACAC Rising Star recipient. Jess has been a proud member of OACAC since 2024 and NACAC since 2022.
In her free time, Jess enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs, reading, crafting, and watching the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Sarah Schollmeyer is a Michigander, painter and lifelong camp counselor. From 2021-2026 she was part of a supportive, vibrant, and dedicated team at Willamette University. She served amazing students, developed rewarding programs and made friendships that will last a lifetime.
Sarah deeply appreciated the support the Willamette leadership team provided her with in addition to all the important lessons she learned. Her time at Willamette cemented her commitment to supporting students through the college search and application process with a lens of equity and access. She is grateful for the years of fun, critical experience and professional/personal development!
Janet Barkdoll is an Assistant Dean of Admissions at her alma mater, Swarthmore College, where she discovered college admissions work through her student roles. Now in her fifth year as a member of the admissions office, Janet brings a keen enthusiasm for the multifaceted, human-centered problem-solving and collaborative nature of admissions work. She is particularly excited about access work and introducing resources to students who may not see college as an option for them.
Janet became a Pennsylvania ACAC (PACAC) member in 2023, quickly volunteering for the Conference Planning Committee. She was honored by PACAC with the James McKeever Promising Professional Award in 2025.
She currently serves as leader of NACAC’s Rural and Small Town Special Interest Group (SIG) and on the planning team for the Small Town Outreach Recruitment and Yield (STORY) group travel consortium.
Jordan Vaughn hails from just outside of Baltimore, MD. They attended Elon University where they received their B.A. in Sociology and Public Health. After graduating, they cultivated their passion for helping others by working with the Open Door Clinic of Alamance County in North Carolina. During this time, they helped individuals access free primary healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a move to Washington, D.C., they continued to work in the non-profit space helping to build strong and healthy communities. These experiences led Jordan to admissions where they continue this helping spirit.
Aiding in first-year and transfer admissions, Jordan’s passion for helping students find their new home and achieve their higher education goals. Recruiting in their home state of Maryland for the past 3 cycles allowed Jordan to learn and grow the power of connecting with counselors, families, and students to ultimately help them find their home at GW. With a recent transition to the Transfer team at GW, Jordan is excited to continue learning more about the admissions realm and nurture new strategies to create a smooth transfer process for this population.
In their free time, you can find Jordan reading a book on one of D.C.’s many green spaces, taking a bike ride, exploring the queer spaces of the city, or hosting PowerPoint parties with friends.
Marquish Applewhite has dedicated her career to heartwork—serving as a college and career advisor, manager, and now director within the College and Career Department at Delta Preparatory School District, formerly known as KIPP Delta, for the past four and a half years. Her passion lies in creating meaningful opportunities that expose students to new possibilities and challenge their thinking.
Marquish began her academic journey at East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City, Arkansas, where she earned her associate degree. She later obtained a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations, along with a minor in Psychology. Her career has been rooted in working with youth across various settings, including nonprofit organizations, mental health agencies, and school districts.
Marquish is driven by a deep belief that every student has the potential to rise beyond their current circumstances. Through encouragement, guidance, and intentional support, she inspires students to envision and pursue the best version of themselves. Whether she is advising, teaching advisory, planning college visits, or cultivating new opportunities, her work is consistently rooted in purpose and impact.
Even beyond the school setting, Marquish continues to guide and uplift others as they navigate decisions about their futures. Her commitment to helping individuals discover direction and purpose extends into every aspect of her life.
In her personal time, Marquish enjoys reading, writing, dancing, spending time with her family and friends and practicing yoga—activities that keep her grounded and energized. She embraces both the rewards and challenges of her work, firmly believing that while heartwork can be hard work, it is always worth it.
Noah Murray is a first-generation graduate of the University of Illinois who brings over seven years of experience in higher education, supporting both undergraduate and graduate students across a range of admissions roles. He is deeply committed to expanding college access and inspiring the next generation to pursue higher education.
Noah is an active member of several national and regional professional organizations, including four years of involvement with the Texas Association for College Admission Counseling (TACAC), and currently serves on the Executive Leadership Team for the San Antonio Regional Network (SARN).
For the past four years, he has proudly served at The University of Texas at San Antonio, where he continues to grow as a leader and advocate for student success. As a Senior Admissions Counselor at UT San Antonio, Noah remains dedicated to advancing higher education opportunities for students of all backgrounds. He values ongoing engagement in professional organizations that strengthen his expertise, enhance his leadership, and support his commitment to equitable access in higher education.
Katie Engle is a first-generation college graduate and Southern California native with a passion for college access, enrollment, and helping students find a sense of belonging in higher education. She began her admissions journey at Whittier College before continuing her work at Mount Saint Mary’s University, and now proudly serves as the Associate Director of Admission at the University of San Diego. Known for her vibrant, student-centered approach, Katie brings enthusiasm and positivity to everything she does and, most of all, remains grateful for the mentors, colleagues, and SoCal sunshine that shaped her journey along the way.
Jaclynn Sutton is an Admission Counselor at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where she is currently in her third year helping prospective students navigate their path to higher education. She has a strong connection to the university, having earned both her Bachelor’s degree in 2020 and her Master’s degree in 2022 from UW-Platteville.
Jackie is committed to the broader higher education community. She served as Treasurer on the Executive Board for the Wisconsin Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC) this past year and remains highly active within the organization, lending her time to both the Communications and the Inclusion, Access, and Success Committees. Looking ahead, she is excited to continue her involvement in WACAC and find new ways to advocate for students across the profession.