Professional Development

Coordinates and assists in the development and presentation of programs and activities related to professional education. Members will have the ability to chair subcommittees to plan and run our various Professional Development programs. As a committee, members will discuss various new programs and ways to enhance current traditional programs. The committee is also responsible for developing timelines, mission statements, and curriculum for each event. This committee is an excellent opportunity members will be able to develop their management skills, event planning abilities, and also be able to network with professionals in secondary education and higher education--a wonderful Professional Development experience in itself!

 

Coffee with Counselors

As we continue to navigate the shifting landscape of college admission together, the NEACAC Professional Development Committee is excited to share a new, free webinar series: Coffee with Counselors, aimed at bringing admission leaders from higher ed. together with colleagues on the high school side to share real-time advice in support of students.

• The Supplemental Essay, Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 1:00pm
  Supplemental essays can make or break an application, but what are admissions readers looking for when they sit down with them? Our first "Coffee with Counselors" of the year will be a candid conversation with admissions professionals on how the supplemental essay impacts their evaluation, including which prompts they love reading (and why), where the supplemental essay falls in their evaluation process, and how they can tell when an essay has been over-polished. We'll also dig into practical writing strategies for students adapting to shorter formats, and how students can authentically share their identity without fear of getting it "wrong."

New! NEACAC Webinar Wednesdays

The NEACAC Professional Development Committee is happy to introduce our NEW free "Webinar Wednesdays" series for Admissions Professionals. No matter how many cycles you've traveled the road or navigated reading season, it's always great to connect and hear new perspectives or a new strategy for the next time around. 

• Health and Wellness/Avoiding Burnout During Travel Season for Admissions Representatives: Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 2:00pm
  Register Here
  Join fellow admissions professionals for a candid roundtable on prioritizing health and wellness during the demands of travel season. Gain practical strategies for avoiding burnout, setting boundaries, and maintaining balance while supporting students and representing your institution.

Subcommittee Chairs:

Danielle Walsh, The Taft School - Career Colloquium
Courtney Kipp Nardo, Greenwich Country Day School - Rising Leaders Program
Wintress Ross, University of South Carolina - Middle Management Workshop (Pre-Conference option for AMC)
Meghan D'Angremond, Phillips Academy Andover - Advanced Counselor Roundtable
Michaela Tarmey, Northeastern University - Student in Admission Forum
Katherine Kistner, Catholic Memorial - Mentorship Program
Ariel Leitao Leonelli, Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Summer Institute

Committee Members:

Emily Casey, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Amy Chung, Boston College
Dana Clark, The Williams School
Karen Gerrior Mariani, High Point University
Taylor Hart, Boston College
Nina Hind, Brewster Academy
Winnie Maloney, Choate Rosemary Hall
Sinead McGrath, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Leah Miller, St. Michael's College 
Brianna Montecalvo, University of Rhode Island
Juan Orta, Fitchburg State
Erin Russo, Northeastern University
Allison Sherlock, Boston University
Luigi Solla, Moses Brown School
Dauri Torres, Miami University (Ohio)