Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling, Enola, PA (2026)

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

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

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

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!

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.

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.

07/24/2026

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.

Hallie Ciarlone was honored with the William R. McClintick, Jr. Service Award. Hallie is the Director of College Counseling at Delaware Valley Friends School.

Hallie joined the DVFriends community in 2011 after spending five years in Baltimore, Maryland creating the college counseling department at a small independent day school. She earned her NCC distinction and M.Ed. in School Counseling from Loyola University Maryland, where she published several studies on adolescent self-efficacy. Hallie holds a B.A. in sociology and public policy from Franklin & Marshall College. She credits her love of college admissions with her extensive work as a student intern and tour guide while at F&M. She is currently professionally involved with PACAC as the Co-Chair of the Professional Development Committee and member of the Secondary School Counselor Committee. Previous PACAC leadership roles have included Summer Institute Faculty Mentor, Co-Chair of the Southeastern PA College Counseling Workshops and a regular speaker for webinars and workshops. She is also an active member of National Association for College Admission Counseling, American School Counselor Association, PSCA - The Pennsylvania School Counselors Association, and ACCIS (Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools). Hallie consults with schools around the country to guide students who learn differently. She is currently co-chair of the Disabilities & Neurodiversity Special Interest Group for NACAC. Hallie also serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors for the Avon Grove Education Foundation. At DVFriends, Hallie has found her passion for counseling students who learn differently and helping their families make the successful post-secondary transition.

The William R. McClintick, Jr. Service Award was established as a means of recognizing a member with 10 to 25 years of experience who has dedicated significant service to the professional and to PACAC.

07/24/2026

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.

Stacey Cunitz was recognized with the William R. McClintick, Jr. Service Award, which was established as a means of recognizing a member with 10 to 25 years of experience who has dedicated significant service to the professional and to PACAC.

Stacey served as Director of College Counseling at The Crefeld School from 2005 to 2023 and founded Blue Moon Educational Consulting, LLC in 2017. She is a professional member of the IECA--Independent Educational Consultants Association, where she serves on the Nominating Committee and co-leads the LGBTQ+ & Allies Affinity Group. She also co-leads the LGBTQ+ Special Interest Group for NACAC and is an active member of PACAC, where she served as President from 2022–2023. Her previous leadership includes chairing PACAC’s Admissions Practices Committee (2017–2020) and serving on NACAC’s Admission Practices Committee, which received the Margaret E. Addis Service to NACAC Award in 2021.

Stacey has extensive experience supporting a wide range of students, including LGBTQ+ students, social justice–minded students, neurodivergent students, academically strong but emotionally fragile students, those uncertain about academic direction, and students with inconsistent transcripts or testing challenges.

She is married to Dan, a middle school science teacher, and they have two children. Stacey enjoys knitting, reading, caring for her backyard chickens, and visiting colleges—having toured more than 260 campuses to date.

07/23/2026

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.

Rory Sullivan, CCFS® is the Regional Director for The College Funding Coach & a Certified College Funding Specialist. He helps parents relieve the anxiety of how to pay for college & still retire with the lifestyle they desire.

Rory is a Penn State Alum & sits on the Board as the Treasurer for YESPhilly. He resides in Perkasie with his wife Kaitlyn, their 2-year-old son Trace, and Australian Shepherd, Frank. He enjoys playing golf in his free time. Rory has been a staunch supporter of school counselors and the students they support through the College Funding Coach’s sponsorship and coordination of PACAC’s National School Counseling Week.

The PACAC Partner in Education Award recognizes a partner outside the membership for outstanding contribution to, and support of, postsecondary education.

Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling

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