IACAC - Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling

We are 300 strong at Governors State University for the 12th annual Sharing the Dream Conference today!

Level up your leadership journey with the Middle Management Institute (MMI).

Designed for admission professionals stepping into or aspiring toward middle management, MMI offers hands‑on learning rooted in NACAC’s AMMI curriculum and the chance to connect with leaders across the field.

This year’s lineup includes sessions on Leadership & Coaching, Change Management, Wellness, Ethics in Admission, Retention in Recruitment, plus a powerhouse Leadership Panel featuring Lori Greene, Paula Luff, Eric Ruiz, and Julie Wiejak.

Cap it off with a networking reception and walk away inspired, equipped, and connected.

https://www.iacac.org/mmi/

We’re excited to celebrate our IACAC members selected for NACAC NEXT, a program designed to build the leadership capacity of the next generation of affiliate and national leaders. Through this experience, participants strengthen their leadership skills, deepen connections, and explore new opportunities for service within NACAC and IACAC.

Congratulations to this year’s NEXT cohort from IACAC:
Kelly Dutmers (not pictured)
Cathryn Loy
Betsy Stevens

We’re proud to see you representing our community!

We’re proud to honor this year’s Molly K. Arnold Award recipients!
Established in 1999 and renamed in 2010 to recognize Molly K. Arnold’s legacy, this award celebrates members with more than five years of service who have demonstrated strong, consistent leadership within IACAC.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees:
Theresa Bertini
Samantha Meranda
Andrea Rusk
Maira Suerte
Lauren Yates

Thank you for your dedication, leadership, and lasting impact on our community.

Congratulations to the Education and Ethics Committee, our nominated 2025 Rising Star Program!

This award celebrates programs that demonstrate excellence and dedication to supporting students. We’re grateful for the renewed energy and impactful programming this committee brings to IACAC.

We’re proud to honor this year’s James A. Alexander Award recipients!
Established in 1987 and renamed in 2004 to honor James A. Alexander, this award recognizes members who have made significant contributions to IACAC within their first five years of involvement.

Congratulations to this year’s outstanding honorees:
Natalia Hernandez
Thomas Hermson
Maddy Kuper
Erin Monroe
Penina Noonan
Dana Oremovich

Your early leadership, energy, and commitment strengthen our community and our profession.

We were thrilled to receive so many Project Reach applications this year - a powerful reminder of the challenges our schools face and the incredible dedication of the professionals serving them. While we couldn’t fund every request, we are proud to support colleagues who remain steadfast in their commitment to expanding opportunities for students.

Congratulations to this year’s Project Reach recipient, Rockford East High School, with the award accepted by Alonzo Latimore, School Counselor!

We’re excited to recognize Derrick Sosinski of Millikin University as this year’s Rising Star Award recipient!

The Rising Star Award honors individuals and programs that exemplify excellence and dedication to serving students during the transition from high school to college. Each affiliate selects one standout member — and this year, our president’s trio proudly chose Derrick for his leadership, commitment, and impact.

Congratulations, Derrick!

We are thrilled to recognize Christian Brown, April Lynch, Kelly Dutmers, Sylvia Hernandez, and Mike Melinder as recipients of the Courtney E. Wallace Distinguished Service Award!

This honor celebrates IACAC members with 15+ years of service who have demonstrated strong, consistent leadership and a deep commitment to our association. Named in honor of Courtney E. Wallace, this award reflects the very best of who we are as a community.

Congratulations to these outstanding leaders and thank you for the impact you continue to make.

The IACAC Mentorship Program brings together new and experienced members to build connections, share ideas, and support one another’s professional growth. Each year, we recognize the mentor/mentee pairing that truly exemplifies the spirit of this program.

Congratulations to this year’s outstanding match, Kaley Kelch and Serena Throneberg! Your commitment to learning, collaboration, and community reflects the very best of IACAC.