Member News and Notes

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Celebrating our members and their accomplishments is a highlight of our work at NACAC. From receiving awards to landing new jobs, NACAC members gave us a lot to cheer for in the second quarter of 2019.

Check out their accomplishments!

Awards and Honors

Jamiere Abney joined scholars on the Black & Highly Dangerous (BhD) podcast to discuss the Operation Varsity Blues bribery scandal and other current events. Abney serves as the senior assistant dean of admission and the coordinator of outreach for opportunity & inclusion at Colgate University (NY). Listen to the podcast episode.

Diane Campbell, a college counselor at Liberty Commons High School (CO), received the Roger H Campbell Award from the Rocky Mountain Association for College Admission Counseling. The affiliate’s highest honor, the award is given to individuals who exemplify excellence and dedication to serving students in the transition to college.

Vrondelia Chandler, executive director and CEO of Project GRAD Knoxville, will be honored as a featured leader in an upcoming edition of Knoxville – Region on the Rise. The book is published by the Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce.

Jeff Fuller received the Honorary Lifetime Member Award from the Texas Association for College Admission Counseling. Fuller is currently the director of college counseling at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory (TX) and a NACAC past president.

Courtney Johnson-Benson was one of four individuals honored by the University of Akron (OH) in recognition of Women’s History Month. Johnson-Benson, who serves as the university’s senior assistant director of admissions, was selected for the honor based on her activities both on and off campus, as well as the powerful nature of her personal story. Read the profile.

Patricia Tomashot was named Vermont’s School Counselor of the Year. Thomashot, who serves as director of school counseling at Stowe High School, was selected for the honor based on her leadership, advocacy, and collaboration working to promote rigorous educational experiences for all students.

Members on the Move

Cecilia Grano De Oro is now director of college advising at North Broward Preparatory School (FL). She previously served as the co-director of college counseling at Scheck Hillel Community School (FL).

Jeffrey Neill is now a high school counselor at the International School of Dakar in Senegal. He was previously the director of college counseling at the Taipei American School in Taiwan.

Sean Ohira was promoted to director of admission at Chaminade University of Honolulu (HI). He previously served as the university’s associate director of admission.

Leslie Sanderfur is now associate director of college counseling at Montgomery Bell Academy (TN). He was previously an assistant director at Vanderbilt University (TN).

Carin Smith is now a regional rep manager for DePaul University (IL) serving Northern California. She was previously a Chicago-area regional representative for Lawrence University (WI).

Did you land a new job? Receive an award? Publish a book? Let NACAC know what you’ve been up to by filling out our survey. Member updates will be published quarterly. The survey should be used to report accomplishments from the third quarter (July 1, 2019 to Sept. 30, 2019). You must be a current member in good standing with NACAC to have your news featured.

Admitted writer/editor Mary Stegmeir welcomes additional comments and story ideas at mstegmeir@nacacnet.org.