NACAC's David Hawkins and Sean Robins discuss the administration's changes to education policy, including efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and anti-DEI initiatives, and how these policies impact students, institutions, and the college admission landscape. They also share opportunities and strategies for advocacy. (Recorded on March 18, 2025)

NACAC advocacy and policy updates: https://www.nacacnet.org/advocacy/take-action/

In this episode of College Admissions Decoded, host Eddie Pickett sits down with three NACAC members—Priscilla Grijalva, Candice Mackey, and Stephanie Brazinsky—to explore the critical role of advocacy in education. They discuss how counselors can use data-driven strategies to make their impact visible, build meaningful collaborations with administrators and community partners, and advocate for equitable student support at local, state, and national levels. Tune in for practical tools to promote the value of school counseling and insights on shaping the future of education—one student and one policy at a time.

In this episode, NACAC Board Director Tahirah Jordan Crawford leads an engaging discussion with two accomplished women leaders in the world of college admission counseling, covering topics such as finding joy in the work, leadership, work-life balance, and overcoming challenges. Gain valuable insights into the experiences and perspectives of women who are shaping the landscape of higher education.

Guests: Whitney Soule, vice provost and dean of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, and Joy St. John, director of admissions at Harvard College. 

Moderated by Tahirah Jordan Crawford, Senior associate director and director of multicultural recruitment at Columbia College

Women's colleges offer transformative experiences for students that are more important than ever. These institutions provide access to inclusive campus communities and academic excellence with a focus on developing women leaders. In this episode, we will counter common myths, highlight unique opportunities from STEM programs to powerful professional networks, and explain why these nurturing environments empower women to fully be themselves.

Guests: Chelsey Holley, Director of Admissions at Spelman College, Nichole Reynolds, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Bryn Mawr College, Deanna Dixon, Dean of Admissions at Smith College, and Laura Stratton, the Director of Admissions at Scripps College.

Moderated by Eddie Pickett, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of Recruitment at Pomona College.

Studying abroad is so much more than enrolling in college courses in a different country—the experience can fundamentally change the course of your future. But who is this experience for, and what is the return on investment? In this informative discussion, leading experts break down everything students and parents need to know about studying abroad, covering everything from the resources needed, what steps you don’t want to skip when applying for a visa and how to get the most out of the life-changing experience. 

Guests: Clay Hensley, international education consultant, Joan Liu, founder of Second Chance at Higher Education, Satya Dattagupta, chief enrollment officer at Northeastern University, and Dubois Jennings, Director of Engagement in North America for Education New Zealand. 

Moderated by NACAC member Eddie Pickett, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of Recruitment at Pomona College in Claremont, California.

Parents are undoubtedly an instrumental part of the college admissions process for incoming students—but how much influence should parents actually have in this process? In this enlightening conversation, we talk to experts about what role parents have in the “marathon” that is the college admissions process, and the lessons the whole family can learn during these stressful, but rewarding times. 

Guests: Emily Roper-Doten, Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Assistance at Clark University in Massachusetts, and Rodney Morrison, Vice President of Enrollment Management at the University of Delaware.

Moderated by NACAC member Eddie Pickett, a college counselor and dean at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, California.

As more colleges become test-optional, admissions officers are tasked with defining the value of ACT/SAT tests—what they convey about students, and their level of importance on the admission process. As standardized testing policies shift with each incoming class of students, our guests today look at in which ways removing the exams promotes access and equity to the college admission process, whether students should test when it’s optional, and the long-term impacts of test-optional policies on college admission. 

Guests: David Hawkins, Chief Education and Policy Officer at NACAC; Twink Williams Burns, Strategic Advisor for Admission and Financial Aid Community Engagement at Williams College; Akil Bello, Senior Director of Advocacy and Advancement at Fair Test. 
Moderated by Eddie Pickett, Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of Recruitment at Pomona College.