Counselors That Change Lives

As a non-profit organization, CTCL is dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process. Our mission is to help students frame their search beyond the ratings and rankings and to find a college that cultivates a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college.

The “Counselors That Change Lives” award recognizes those whose dedication to the college counseling profession reflects the mission of CTCL. Their tireless work does not go unrecognized and this program is our way of acknowledging all that they do to help students and families on a daily basis.

Erin Duffy has done a great job since Seacrest opened, working very consciously and carefully to know each student as an individual and guide him/her toward schools that are a good fit. She has been able to develop a college bound community that recognizes how this fit for each student is paramount in the college search process, rather than choosing for “name brand." Her letters of reference for students are remarkable in their insight and ability to characterize students so that you feel you have had the chance to truly know each one and how they will fit with your college.

Erin is a quintessential college counselor and a credit to our profession. I feel privileged to call her a colleague and to recommend her for this award.

This does not begin to describe all of Jim’s attributes and achievements, but I do know this … Loren Pope would have loved to share a meal and a good glass of wine with Jim Fadely–their passion for helping students would have ignited a wonderful conversation.

Debbie worked as a college counselor at an elite private school, the Whitfield School, in St. Louis for many years before taking on a very different role as a college counselor for College Bound St. Louis, a program for low-income, first generation, and minority students. Even after a short conversation, it is obvious that she knows each student very well and has a strong emotional attachment to their well-being.

Debbie works hard to provide these students with resources and counseling to help them make the next big step to a college or university. She has coordinated bus trips to take students to local college fairs, specifically the CTCL College Fair and the Four Schools Fair, a fair hosted by several high profile public and private schools in St. Louis. She has also organized bus trips to take students on summer campus tours in Wisconsin and Iowa.

Dr. Whitney Laughlin created College Horizons to help Native American high school students learn the skills to apply and thrive at colleges and universities. Over the past 10 years, College Horizons has helped over 1,500 Native American, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian students attend colleges and universities. It is my hope that this program and Dr. Laughlin’s energy will continue to inspire young Native people and the professionals that work with them.

Ms. Markoch exemplifies the mission of CTCL by really getting to know her students and what they are looking for in a college or university. Each year she recognizes those students that are just right for New College and has a great group of diverse students waiting for me when I visit her school each fall. She knows a lot about New College, and even tells me about what some of alums are doing. She looks out for her students throughout the application process and is excited to see who will enroll at New College which she proudly proclaims that she knew they would all along.

I don’t believe in my 27 years representing Hendrix College I’ve ever met anyone as devoted to her profession--more significantly, to her students--as Lynda McGee. All of us on the CTCL tour are aware that Lynda brings a group of her students to our LA CTCL Fair every year. She advocates for them passionately. To her, they are all special! Most of them come from disadvantaged families and in far too many cases from violent inner-city LA neighborhoods; yet, they and their families sacrifice to get them to Downtown Magnets where they are challenged academically and personally in a safe, supportive environment.

I’ve met many of them. Last fall Lynda hosted a Friday evening event at her school which included dinner; a movie, “College Road Trip”; and word from me on behalf of CTCL. Oh, and karaoke. The students I met were unassuming, unabashed, and ready tell me who they were. I attributed that to the ambient regard the space Lynda has fashioned at Downtown Magnets exudes. Yes, those students know someone cares, cares enough to expect much from them. Many of her charges must be reminded and prodded from time to time (her efforts don’t leave the families unscathed either). It takes someone like Lynda to make them believe in themselves!

Those of us representing CTCL schools have received numerous requests to support, in one way or another, her scholarship fund raisers, but when she is advocating on behalf of one of her advisees you know you’ve run into a force of nature. Her unrelenting, indefatigable lobbying makes me smile! She cares deeply about them and knows they deserve opportunity.

In recognition of his service and commitment to the college counseling profession over the last forty years, the Hope College Admissions Office would like to nominate Carl Peterson for CTCL recognition as a counselor who has changed many lives. Moral and mental discipline gained by study and instruction, this is definition of an education. To become a good educator is to live this definition. Carl Peterson of the Forest Hills District in Grand Rapids Michigan has always followed this credo. A quick glance at his resume will lead you to believe nothing other than this is a man who has cared for education and all the people he has met along his path in this endeavor. Having chosen a social work major in college and then moving into higher education he has always been involved in a theme of supporting others.

Carl is currently running for NACAC president which is no surprise to all that know him. Even though he is retiring from his formal high school counseling role, he has still opted to serve the educational community at large. When I first began my admissions counselor role, it became very apparent that Carl was the person to look for when you needed guidance. Not only has he been a guiding light to many students and families, but he has overseen a great school district (even starting of a new school within the district) and his peers constantly seek out his guidance and support. The world is a better place because of Carl Peterson.

Here is a direct quote from his application for the NACAC board of directors: “for those of us who aspire to be leaders, the bar is, and should be, high.” He goes on to say that the obligation we have in exercising leadership should be done in a way that is fair, responsible, visionary and transparent. Carl’s integrity for himself and others is held high. He expects and gives only the very best from those around him but he sees the very best in everyone.