Candidates for Council Team Director – Secondary 2016-2017
David Bennett
Director of College Counseling
Legal Prep Charter Academy
Education:
- B.A. in History and Philosophy, Lake Forest College (1994)
- M.A. in Comparative European History, Brandeis University (1995)
- M.A. in Public History, Loyola University of Chicago (1999)
IACAC Member: 13 years
IACAC Activities:
- Admission Practices Committee Member (2010–present)
- Admissions Practices Co-Chair (2011–2013)
- AP issues for District Seminars Presenter (2014)
- Scholarship Ad Hoc Committee Co-Chair (2015–present)
- Annual Conference Presenter at multiple conferences on topics such as admission practices, social media, and test-optional admissions
NACAC Activities:
- Member 13 years (non-concurrent)
- National Conference Attendee, multiple years
- AP Committee Co-Chair in national meetings
Other Professional Activities:
- Network for College Success, Chicago Area College Counselors Association Participant
- Former Member of Associated Colleges of the Midwest
Considering the recently adopted strategic plan for IACAC, what do you hope to achieve within this role as it pertains to the objectives of new plan?
Our Strategic Plan provides broad, important goals for the organization. The coming challenge is to create the metrics to evaluate the success of the Plan. By creating short- and long-term strategies to reach those goals the leadership can welcome greater participation from the membership base and tap into the community’s talents. It will be important to communicate not just the goals of the Plan but the strategies and organizational rationale for the importance of the Plan to the community. For example one of our goals is “to develop ties with graduate programs through the state….” We will need to refine what those relationships look like, how we will cultivate those connections, and then create a process to increase the affiliations. My participation in the Board leadership will continue to push committees and our leadership team to turn ideas into actions that ultimately benefits the students we serve.
If elected, what experiences, skills, and qualities do you bring to this specific position?
After thirteen years in college admissions and counseling, developing programs in the museum world, teaching overseas, managing volunteers, raising two amazing boys, and co- piloting life with my wife, I bring high expectations, curiosity, and follow-through to the table. I want to make a difference in the world and the people around me. Admittedly, I have little tolerance for the complacent or those comfortable with the status quo. I want to be in a learning culture that is constantly improving. This holds true whether working in a college, a high school, IACAC, or in my community. I believe I can be an active voice in IACAC for both those we represent and the organization itself. I would be honored to serve.
Jamie Simon
College Counselor
Loyola Academy
Education:
- B.S. in Psychology, Loyola University Chicago
- M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, Loyola University Chicago
- M.Ed. in School Counseling, Loyola University Chicago
IACAC Member: 2007–2010, 2013–2016
IACAC Activities:
- National College Fair Committee
- High School College Counseling Professional Development Committee
- Annual Conference Session Moderator (2015)
NACAC Activities:
- Member (2008–2016)
- National Conference Attendee (Seattle, St Louis, New Orleans & Denver)
- Rocky Mountain ACAC Member (2010–2013)
- Rocky Mountain ACAC, National College Fair Presenter & Volunteer (2011–2013)
Other Professional Activities:
- Chicago Area College Counseling Association (CACA) (2013–present)
- Chicago Area Naviance Network (CANN) (2013–present)
- Posse Foundation, Dynamic Application Process Volunteer, Student Mentor (2014–present)
- Jesuit High School College Counseling Association (2010–present)
- The Colorado Council on High School/College Relations (2010–2013)
- University of Miami Ohio, Advisory Board (2010–2012)
- Multiple Counselor Visit Programs having visited nearly 200 colleges
Considering the recently adopted strategic plan for IACAC, what do you hope to achieve within this role as it pertains to the objectives of new plan?
I have a strong penchant for appropriate use of technology as a way to inform school counselors, grad students, high schoolers, and other stakeholders of trends and best practices within college admissions. With so many online resources that are misleading, misinformed, or attempting to lure families into expensive services, IACAC could clear the way to providing current and ongoing best practices to students and professionals across the state. I envision expanding on what we have begun at Loyola Academy, and other committees, through short MOOC’s (Massive Open Online Courses) similar to the free courses taught by Ed X and Coursera.
Courses would be designed by IACAC with IACAC and national leaders in college admission to create a concentrated group of resources that professionals and students could utilize. General and specific information that is developmentally appropriate for each grade level would apply to every student, no matter what high school they attend or what part of the state they reside. Additionally, the professional courses would offer resources for grad students, school counselors, and college admission counselors.
These resources, both online courses and a collective online document library could offer a pathway for school counselors who lack the experience, time, or graduate courses in college admissions and address the ever-changing admission landscape. Additionally, these online modules present the opportunity to partner with other state and national organizations to generate information available to an even wider group of professionals and students.
If elected, what experiences, skills, and qualities do you bring to this specific position?
My previous experiences as a classroom teacher, first-year and transfer admission counselor, a school counselor, and now as a college counselor, allowed me the great opportunity to work alongside different stakeholders in a variety of leadership positions. I can understand perspectives of multiple groups and work to find resolutions that are ‘what’s best for the student(s)’, a phrase I frequently ask myself before any decision on a school policy.
As a strong advocate for students and schools from lower socioeconomic status backgrounds, I will be a voice for students who lack resources. Having taught at a very low-resourced grade school as well as two very well-resourced high schools, I work to address the gulf of information, resources, and access that continues to exist. I would continue work to support all students, but especially those who need a little more assistance. Having volunteered with the Posse Foundation, I have met astoundingly bright and determined students who simply needed the opportunity to change their life’s trajectory. We all are aware of the compounded outcome from a college degree, or even an associate’s degree, so I will always work to be an advocate for those students.
Finally, I enjoy what I do, I value my colleagues and friendships established through IACAC. There is a tremendous wealth of knowledge within IACAC and I enjoy partnering with other high school counselors and those on the college side to create new ways to support students in their post-high school goals.
