CTCL. Non-Profit org. Distinctly different member institutions. Liberal Arts & Sciences. Student Centered College Search. Colleges That Change Lives, Inc.
is a non-profit, charitable 501(c)(3) organization, and donations are tax-deductible.
03/10/2026
ISO high school seniors and first time college undergraduates headed to a member institution this fall to apply for the 2026 CTCL Scholarship! The deadline is FRIDAY, March 13, so visit ctcl.org/scholarship-application/ TODAY!
03/09/2026
Our final stop on the East Coast tour is Washington DC! We are so excited to connect with students, families, and counselors and to introduce them to our distinctly different liberal arts institutions! We believe in centering the student and reminding them that they have the power during the college admission process! Pre-registration is open now at https://ctcl.org/info-sessions/!
03/08/2026
Next stop is Philadelphia! Join us for an evening centered on students and the the liberal arts, featuring 35+ of the colleges and universities! The event is FREE and open to the public, so bring a friend! Or three!
03/08/2026
Bright lights, big city, and bold ideas grounded in the liberal arts! It must be a event in New York featuring 35+ of our colleges! Join us before you brunch and discover what we mean when we say, “What happens during the stay is what counts!” More info at ctcl.org/info-sessions.
03/08/2026
We loved meeting students, families, and counselors at the first stop of our 2026 East Coast Tour! Great connections as we kept the conversations student-centered! Next stop - New York!
03/06/2026
Learn what we mean when we say, "What Happens During The Stay Is What Counts!" (Re)Start your college search with 35+ CTCL member schools at our first college fair in 2026! The event is FREE and open to the public, so bring a friend. Or six! Visit https://ctcl.org/info-sessions/ for more information and registration details!
02/08/2026
We’re kicking off our 2026 series of national events with a tour of the East Coast! Connect with 37 member institutions at an information session and college fair. (Re)Start your college search with Us and discover what we mean when we say, “What happens during the day is what counts!”
Register now at CTCL.org/info-sessions.
ANNOUNCING THE 2026 COUNSELORS THAT CHANGE LIVES
The Colleges That Change Lives Member Institutions and Board of Directors are overjoyed to celebrate the following who have been named our 2026 Counselors That Change Lives!
This honor recognizes their dedication to the college counseling profession as it reflects the mission of the Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) organization; to promote and support a student-centered college search process. By helping students frame their search beyond the ratings and rankings to find a college that provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life, these counselors change lives.
Amie Bui
University Counselor
United World College
Changhsu, China
Nominated by Dave Wagner, Director of Admissions, St. Olaf
Mark Giesmann
Director of College Counseling
Bosque School
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Nominated by Karla Gutierrez-Hernandez, Assistant Director of Admissions, Willamette University
Bob MacLellan
Director of College Counseling
St. Andrew's - Sewanee School
Sewanee, Tennessee
Nominated by Jenny Connor, Associate Director of Admission, Eckerd College
Olivia Morales
Director of College Counseling
George Washington Carver Collegiate Academy
New Orleans, Louisiana
Nominated by Jasmine Alfred, Assistant Director of Admission, Ohio Wesleyan University
Katy Murphy
Director of College Counseling
Bellarmine College Preparatory
San Jose, California
Nominated by Belinda Sandoval Zazueta, Senior Associate Director of Admissions, and Emma Menjivar, Admissions Counselor, University of Redlands
Kari Rust
Senior Manager, College Access Counseling
Peninsula Bridge
San Mateo, California
Nominated by Seda Bagiryan, Assistant Dean of Admissions - International and Multicultural Recruitment, St. Olaf College
Jaunice Vega
Access Coach
College AIM
Lithonia, Georgia
Nominated by Miya Walker, Director of Admission, Agnes Scott College
Patty Whelpley
Director of College Guidance
Trinity Academy Meadow View
Falls Church, Virginia
Nominated by Lily Carville, Director of Northeast Recruitment, Hillsdale College
01/31/2026
Know a student headed to a CTCL member institution this fall? Encourage them to apply for the 2026 CTCL Scholarship! We will select two scholars and award them each a $6000 scholarship. Current high school seniors [Class of 2026] and those who will be first time undergraduates this fall are eligible to apply. The application deadline is March 13, 2026.
Want to help us fund future scholarships? Visit https://ctcl.org/about/supporting-our-mission/ to learn how your donations make a difference!
01/31/2026
We are excited to announce our 2026 series of information sessions and college fairs! Free and open to the public, these events give students, families, and counselors an opportunity to connect with admission counselors from the distinctly different CTCL member institutions. Join us for an afternoon - or evening - filled with student-centered conversations, the liberal arts, and learning what we mean when we say, "What happens during the stay is what counts."
08/28/2025
We’re so excited to (re) connect with high school counselors, college advisors, CBO college access professionals, and independent educational consultants at our annual CTCL counselor reception during the NACAC conference!
Pre-registration is not required, but event attendees must present their NACAC conference badge.