ACCIS Awards
The Marty Elkins Award for Excellence in College Counseling
In 2010, the ACCIS Board of Trustees established the Marty Elkins Award for Excellence in College Counseling, named after our first volunteer executive director, to recognize ACCIS members who exemplify excellence in college counseling practices. Nominees will have demonstrated a number of the priorities noted in the ACCIS mission, vision, and DEIB statements. In 2026, the Board of Trustees further clarified the Elkins Award to be for members with 15 or more years of experience as college counselors in independent schools. Each year, the Board seeks nominations from the membership and selects a recipient for this Award, to be presented at the Association's General Membership meeting.
Recipients of the Marty Elkins Award:
2025 Amy Selinger, Lawrence Academy, MA
2024 Canh Oxelson, Horace Mann School, NY
2023 Maria Morales-Kent, Thacher School, CA
2022 Eric Monheim, St. Mark's School, MA
2021 Brennan Barnard, Derryfield School, NH
2020 Rhody Davis, Viewpoint School, CA
2019 Marie Bigham, ACCEPT
2018 Gabrielle McColgan, Castilleja School, CA
2017 Nancy Beane, The Westminster Schools, GA
2016 Sam Moss, Darlington School, GA
2015 Steve Soud, The Bolles School, FL
2014 Jenny Byers, The Harpeth Hall School, TN;
Betsy Dolan, Phillips Exeter Academy, NH
2013 Marcia Hunt, Pine Crest School, FL
2012 Ed Graf, Isidore Newman School, LA
2011 Burke Rogers, St. George's School, RI
2010 Marty Elkins, The New Hampton School, NH
Leadership in Action Award
In 2026, the ACCIS Board of Trustees established the Leadership in Action Award. This award recognizes an independent school college counseling professional in the active growth phase of their career who demonstrates exceptional leadership, integrity, and impact in their daily practice.
With a recommended eight (8) or more years of college counseling experience in independent schools at the Assistant or Senior Associate/Associate Director level (with the exception of one-person offices), recipients are thoughtful advisors, collaborative colleagues, and ethical practitioners who approach their work with curiosity, care, and a deep commitment to students and families.
This award honors individuals who are actively shaping the future of college counseling through innovative approaches and meaningful engagement with the ACCIS community, and who demonstrate potential for a strong trajectory of leadership and influence within the profession. Nominees should have also demonstrated several of the priorities outlined in the ACCIS mission, vision, and DEIB statements.
Recipients of the Leadership in Action Award:
inaugural award to be given in fall 2026
ACCIS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Awards
In 2021, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee (then the DE&I Committee) and the ACCIS Board established two Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Awards to recognize members of our ACCIS community who have committed to the work of DEIB and program innovation. Each year, the DEIB Committee seeks nominations from the membership and selects recipients for these Awards, to be presented at the Association's General Membership meeting.
The DEIB Rising Star Award is intended for a member with fewer than five years of college counseling experience; growing visibility within the school/community/ACCIS/NACAC/regional ACAC in DEIB work; and demonstrated ability to challenge the normative culture within their respective community to create greater equity.
The DEIB Champion Award is intended for a member with more than five years of college counseling experience; has engaged in DEIB initiatives in their school community and beyond the institutional level; is visible in DEIB work in ACCIS/regional ACAC/NACAC/school/community; has demonstrated a deep understanding of, and commitment to, DEIB work as an educator.
Recipients of the DEIB Rising Star Award:
2025 China Hutchins, Ransom Everglades School, FL
2024 Stephanie Gonzalez, Trinity School, NY/Deerfield Academy, MA
2023 Xavier McKinzie, Emma Willard School, NY
2022 Annalise Miyashiro, Sage Hill School, CA
Recipients of the DEIB Champion Award:
2025 Allyson Diljohn, St. Christopher's School, VA
2024 Meghan Schneider, Shorecrest Preparatory School, FL
2023 Alyson Tom, Castilleja School, CA
2022 Jodi Hester, Woodward Academy, GA
2021 Frank Cabrera, Brooklyn Friends School, NY
Elizabeth Pili, Spence School, NY
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