Meridian Educational Consulting

What a fantastic visit we had to the University of Scranton this week! Scranton offers a Catholic/Jesuit liberal arts education to 3,700 undergraduates.

Various majors in communications and health sciences are particularly strong. So is student support and the friendly factor.

cc: Suzanne Lewis

Many members are taking part in a counselor fly-in at the University of Scranton this week. Enjoy the visit!

Don't forget: IECA members can browse our Tour Invitations page to find campus visit opportunities and special events from colleges, schools, and programs year-round. link.IECAonline.com/tour-invitations

This is my favorite week of the year! The professional development is second to none—absolutely the premier training opportunity for IECs. Ten years into my practice, and I still learn so much. Day 1, and we're already drinking from the firehose!

This time spent with my colleagues is invaluable and so much fun! I'm honored to serve on the faculty again this year and to learn not only from my fellow mentors but also from our new, emerging, and potential IECs.

Here's to a fantastic week and beyond!

(If you're a professional who's not yet an IECA--Independent Educational Consultants Association member but (may) want to be, let's talk. Reach out➡️ Suzanne Lewis)

The Summer Training Institute kicks off Monday! We couldn’t do it without our amazing IECA member faculty. Thank you for sharing your time, expertise, and passion with STI 2025 participants. We’re excited to get started! link.IECAonline.com/STI

Steven Antonoff (CO) - Antonoff Associates, Inc.
Antoinette Battiste (CA) - Educational Pathways
Chris Bell (CO) - Bell College Consulting LLC
Bob Carlton (TX) - ESM Prep College MatchPoint
Bar Clarke (ME) - Loeta Consulting Group
Vita Cohen (IL) - Cohen College Consulting Ltd.
Liz Cooper (MA) - College Consulting Collaborative
Kristina Dooley (OH) - Estrela Consulting
Michele Evard (MA) - Evard Educational Consulting
Deborah Gutman (RI) - Admissions Rx
Amy Jasper (VA) - My College Fit
Jennie Kent (Colombia/CT) - Big J Educational Consulting
Katelyn Gleason Klapper (CO) - College Options
Joan Koven (PA) - Academic Access
Jeff Levy (CA) - Big J Educational Consulting
Suzanne Lewis (AZ) - Meridian Educational Consulting
Sam Luby (FL) - Dual Passports LLC
Karen Mabie (IL) - The School Solution
Allison Matlack (ME) - Matlack Educational Consulting
Stephanie Meade (CA) - The Collegiate Edge
Sydney Montgomery (MD) - Barrier Breakers, Inc.
Dave Morris (WA) - College Athletic Advisor
Krissy Naspo (CT) - The Bertram Group, LLC
Holly Ramsey (TX) - Thoughtful Homeschooling
Helese Sandler (GA) - Savannah Educational Consultants
Whitney Shashou (NY) - Admit NY
Jaime Smith (OR) - Transfer Savvy
Belinda Wilkerson (NC) - Steps to the Future, LLC
Joan Wittan (MD) - College Consulting Collaborative
Judy Young (TX) - College Excellence
Mark Sklarow, IECA CEO Emeritus

IECA's new CEO search is underway. Please help us spread the word and encourage qualified professionals to submit an application. (link in shared post and in comments)

is seeking a visionary and innovative Chief Executive Officer to lead our organization into its next chapter. This is a unique opportunity to bring a fresh perspective, drive strategic growth, and help shape the future of independent educational consulting. Learn more and apply: link.IECAonline.com/CEO-search

That's advice we dish out on the regular ✨

Happy Pride month — all day every day!
🖤🤎🩵🩷🤍❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

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[Image Description: An image by Have A Gay Day . Text says: In a world where you can be anything, be unapologetically yourself. This text surrounds the word pride, which is stylized. The main portion in black, with progress pride stripes that continue the lines of the letters p and d. End ID].

We stand in support of our international students

IECA Stands with Harvard's International Students & Families - IECA The Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) strongly condemns the current administration’s recent decision to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students. This unprecedented action not only disrupts the lives and dreams of thousands of students and their f...

I am honored to serve IECA--Independent Educational Consultants Association as Vice President for Membership & Engagement. Our members bolster my professional network phenomenally, and I am delighted to give back by serving on the Executive Board.

Hat tip to my amazing fellow board members who make it all worthwhile. It is my privilege to serve with you!

The 2025-26 Board of Directors was announced at our Annual Conference. Thank you to our new & continuing board officers & members for your !

2025-26 Board Officers

Belinda Wilkerson - Steps to the Future, LLC
President

Chris Andersson - Nothing But Drama
Vice President for Ethics & Standards of Practice

Brooke Daly - Advantage College Planning
Vice President for Education & Training

Sherri Maxman - College Maven
Vice President for Committees

Suzanne Lewis - Meridian Educational Consulting
Vice President for Membership & Engagement

Stephanie Klein Wassink - Winning Applications - College Admissions and Applications
Secretary/Treasurer

Ibrahim Firat - Firat Education
Immediate Past President

2025-26 Board Members

Shannon Bergeron - Core College Consulting
Jess Chermak - Virtual College Counselors
Eric Endlich - Top College Consultants
Mindy Goodman - New Chapters Consulting & Coaching, LLC
Anne Holmdahl - Common Sense College Counseling
Amy McVeigh - Smart College Selection
Krissy Naspo - The Bertram Group, LLC
Juan-Camilo Tamayo - JCT4Education
Shirley Xian - Soar in USA Counseling & Consulting, LLC

Amazing day on Capitol Hill advocating for better transparency in college costs and outcomes and for youth mental health support and insurance coverage.

Both my colleagues and the Congressional staffers we met with are bright and dedicated professionals. What an inspiring day!

I'm on the Government Relations committee for my professional association. We received numerous updates out of DC today on the status of Pell grants and student loans in the wake of yesterday's White House OMB memo.

The upshot: Pell grants and federal student loans are not intended to be part of the freeze.

That is where things stand today, right now. Don't panic. If, however, these programs are important to you personally or philosophically, call your Representative and Senators and let them know.

I will share an update if I hear of any change to this status.

My colleagues Josephine and Ibrahim Firat offer the most amazing educational option for futbol enthusiasts!

We are not for everyone. We are everything for some. #privateschool #futbol #passion #soccer #soccerkids #elementaryschool #middleschool #highschool

Good news for students seeking to apply for financial aid for the 2025–26 school year!

The FAFSA's beta release opens for everyone in the coming days, and it opens for everyone, on schedule, on December 1.

U.S. Department of Education Announces Final Beta Testing Period for the 2025–26 FAFSA Form The U.S. Department of Education announced today that it entered the final beta testing period of the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), Beta 4, which will build on the successful results from the first three beta period.

Happy National Coming Out Day!

Whether you are out or not, I see you, I care for you, and I support you. I am happy to listen always. You are safe with me.

Extending my wishes for a sweet new year and a path to peace
L'Shana Tova~