Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling

Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling Go to www.pacac.org for more information!

💡 New to secondary school counseling? Thinking about making the transition? In grad school and curious about postseconda...
09/10/2026

💡 New to secondary school counseling? Thinking about making the transition? In grad school and curious about postsecondary planning?

The College Counseling Education Program is a four‑part professional development series designed for anyone looking to strengthen their knowledge of postsecondary planning and student support — including private school college counselors working with high school students. You’ll learn about PA graduation and career requirements, student preparation tips, application essentials, plus guidance on NCAA, military recruiting, scholarships, and more.

📘 Build your confidence.
🎓 Support your students.
🚀 Advance your practice.

The first session is on September 24, so register now! It is free for members of PACAC and/or PSCA. Register here: https://pacac.memberclicks.net/college-counseling-education-program

At the PACAC Annual Conference this past June, we were proud to announce that the former Counselor Assistance Program, w...
09/09/2026

At the PACAC Annual Conference this past June, we were proud to announce that the former Counselor Assistance Program, which provides grants to our members, has been renamed in memory of Michael M. Gaynor, the late Executive Director of Admission at Villanova University. This recognition honors the countless ways Michael impacted our profession and, more importantly, the people within it.

The Michael M. Gaynor Counselor Assistance Program (CAP) Grant provides grants to support the professional development of those serving in some capacity of PACAC's Mission. Read more about Michael's legacy, the CAP Grant program, and view the memorial video and tribute slideshow: https://www.pacac.org/counselor-assistance-program-cap-grants

⭐ Congratulations to PACAC's own Janet Barkdoll for being recognized by the National Association for College Admission C...
09/04/2026

⭐ Congratulations to PACAC's own Janet Barkdoll for being recognized by the National Association for College Admission Counseling as a NACAC Rising Star! ⭐ Read her statement below and share your congratulations for Janet!

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.

Meet the Faculty of Admission Boot Camp (ABC)! We are excited for Admission Boot Camp on Monday, August 24 at Lehigh Uni...
08/17/2026

Meet the Faculty of Admission Boot Camp (ABC)! We are excited for Admission Boot Camp on Monday, August 24 at Lehigh University! If you are new to the profession or have new staff to your office, we hope that you’ll be able to join us next week and learn from these experts in the field! You can learn more and sign up here: https://www.pacac.org/admission-boot-camp

The PACAC Executive Committee met earlier today for their annual retreat! In the morning, each member in attendance shar...
08/15/2026

The PACAC Executive Committee met earlier today for their annual retreat! In the morning, each member in attendance shared their PACAC story and why PACAC holds meaning to them, brainstormed ways to share the PACAC story with our current and future members, how to develop future leaders in the association and more! In the afternoon, committee chairs and at-large delegates met with their director groups to talk about the ideas generated in the morning and how they could apply them to the scope of the work done in their committees. It was a wonderful day of connection, centering, and conversation. The Executive Committee is looking forward to serving the association and its members this year!

Members of the 2026-2027 Executive Committee:

President: Loren Gordon, Harrisburg Academy
President-Elect: Andrew McMillen, Carnegie Mellon University
Immediate Past President: Michael White, Slippery Rock University
Finance & Budget Chair: Mark Detterline, Swarthmore College
Treasurer: Audriana Empet, Pennsylvania College of Technology
Treasurer-Elect: Nicole Shannon, Carnegie Mellon University
Executive Director: Andrea Cassell Bretz, PACAC
Director of Marketing: Michelle O’Donnell, Lancaster Country Day School
Director of Professional Development: Chris Boehm, Archmere Academy
Director of Public Advocacy: Erica Woods, Villanova University
Admission Practices Chair: Chris La Tempa, Moorestown Friends School
College Fairs Chair: Nickala Hagarty, Susquehanna University
Communications Chair: Ryan Mignone, Widener University
Conference Planning Chair-Elect: Ashley Swengler, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Government Relations Chair: Lucia Garabo, Millersville University
Membership Chair: Stacey Carpency, Muhlenberg College
Professional Development Co-Chairs: Evan Beals, PACAC & Julie Hertz, Shady Side Academy
At-Large Delegates: Dana Gowder, University of Pittsburgh & Amanda Tingle-Oline, AIM Academy

Not Pictured:
Conference Planning Chair: Megan Swisher, Millersville University
Inclusion, Access, Success Chair: Shaliyah Braxton, PACAC
Secondary School Counseling Chair: Jennifer Kirk, Upper St. Clair High School
At-Large Delegate: Chris Bard, Berks Career & Technology Center

Do you have new admission counselors in your office? Are you new to your role in college admission? We invite you to joi...
08/13/2026

Do you have new admission counselors in your office? Are you new to your role in college admission? We invite you to join us for PACAC’s Admission Boot Camp (ABC)! This opportunity is designed for College Admissions Counselors new to the profession to discuss the value of our work, current issues in higher education, working toward equity and inclusion in our profession, and more! During the program, attendees will gather in informal settings for dialogue, idea exchange, and collaboration in addition to participating in sessions presented by industry experts. Participants can expect to depart having gained a wider lens with which to view our work and a network of colleagues for continued professional connection and support. Our program will be held at Lehigh University on Monday, August 24. Cost is $75 for College PACAC Members, $50 for Secondary School PACAC Members, and $165 for Nonmembers. Learn more and register here:

https://www.pacac.org/admission-boot-camp

08/08/2026

Do you have new admission counselors in your office? Are you new to your role in college admission? We invite you to join us for PACAC’s Admission Boot Camp (ABC)! This opportunity is designed for College Admissions Counselors new to the profession to discuss the value of our work, current issues in higher education, working toward equity and inclusion in our profession, and more! During the program, attendees will gather in informal settings for dialogue, idea exchange, and collaboration in addition to participating in sessions presented by industry experts. Participants can expect to depart having gained a wider lens with which to view our work and a network of colleagues for continued professional connection and support. We are hosting just one program this year: ABC East at Lehigh University. Cost is $75 for College PACAC Members, $50 for Secondary School PACAC Members, and $165 for Nonmembers. Learn more and register here: https://www.pacac.org/admission-boot-camp

Over the past several days, we've celebrated our award recipients recognized at the 63rd Annual PACAC Conference. Their ...
07/28/2026

Over the past several days, we've celebrated our award recipients recognized at the 63rd Annual PACAC Conference. Their commitment to students, colleagues, and the profession exemplifies the very best of PACAC. Congratulations to all of our deserving honorees!

We conclude this year's award spotlight series by recognizing Edwin Wright, recipient of the Delwin K. Gustafson Recognition Award. The Delwin K. Gustafson Recognition Award is presented annually to a member for dedicated service to students, the profession, and PACAC. It is the highest honor bestowed by the Association.

Edwin Wright is the VP of Strategy + Partnerships at Waybetter Marketing. Previous roles include working in increasingly responsible roles in admissions at Delaware County Community College, West Chester University of PA and Widener University. He was the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Lebanon Valley College from 2015 until his retirement in 2025.

A past president of PACAC, Edwin has an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, a graduate degree from Temple University, and the Management Development program at Harvard University. Edwin is married to his wife, Carla, and they are the proud parents of three sons: Jacob and twins Owen and Bennett.

We thank Edwin Wright for his long and storied service to PACAC and to the field!

We’re proud to recognize the recipients of 10 awards presented during the 63rd Annual PACAC Conference. Over the coming ...
07/27/2026

We’re proud to recognize the recipients of 10 awards presented during the 63rd Annual PACAC Conference. Over the coming days, we’ll highlight the outstanding individuals and organizations whose leadership, service, and dedication continue to strengthen our profession and support students across our region.

Tori Wrye was recognized by PACAC with the James McKeever Promising Professional Award, which was established as a means of recognizing and encouraging contributions by members early in their careers, having completed no more than three years of professional service.

A Penn State University alumna, Tori has been the Dean of College Counseling and Registrar at The Crefeld School since 2023, a role she assumed while undergoing cancer treatment. Previously, Tori taught social studies and was a learning specialist. She is a member of the counselor advisory board for McDaniel College. She has a graduate degree in special education and is working toward a certificate in college counseling from UCLA. For PACAC, Tori has served on the conference planning and secondary school counseling committees and looks forward to continued involvement with the Pacer and membership committees.

Tori has been married to Nate for 15 years and has three cats.

We’re proud to recognize the recipients of 10 awards presented during the 63rd Annual PACAC Conference. Over the coming ...
07/27/2026

We’re proud to recognize the recipients of 10 awards presented during the 63rd Annual PACAC Conference. Over the coming days, we’ll highlight the outstanding individuals and organizations whose leadership, service, and dedication continue to strengthen our profession and support students across our region.

Carmen Rodi has been recognized with the Gary M. Kelsey Human Relations Award, which is awarded to an organization or member who makes outstanding and voluntary contributions for the betterment of the community and students, particularly those who advance the human dignity of the disadvantaged, marginalized, and/or minoritized.

Carmen is a high school counselor at Furness High School within The School District of Philadelphia. She earned an undergraduate degree from Colorado College, a graduate degree and Certified of Advanced Study in school counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Carmen was told by a student, “Some people do it for the love of the game. Some people do it for money. Miss, I see you, and you do it for the love of the game.” Her quiet but unapologetic advocacy for her students and community has garnered tremendous outcomes for students, who feel supported, encouraged and seen. Carmen is involved in the Philadelphia College Rep Collective, who work tirelessly to leverage the collective systemic barriers to postsecondary access that hinder Philadelphia’s college-bound students.

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Enola, PA
17025

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+15704722710

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