Nicole Bumphrey
In October, the whirlwind of emotions we experience as admissions professionals — exhaustion, excitement, exhilaration — reaches its peak. Attending NACAC 2024 last month in Los Angeles, with the powerful theme “The Courage Within,” brought all these emotions to the forefront, reminding us of the boldness and resilience it takes to keep showing up for our students, our institutions and ourselves.
Julio Mata, president of WACAC, and Angelica Melendez, NACAC board chair, set the tone with a call to action: “Be bold. Be courageous.” They challenged us to embrace both acceptance and excitement as we navigate the ups and downs of this profession.
Angel Perez, CEO of NACAC, epitomized resilience as he addressed the collective exhaustion we feel, especially with the ongoing FAFSA debacle. Yet, he reminded us that despite the challenges, our courage and commitment to students must remain unwavering. We continue to show up, to fight for our students and our institutions, even when the road ahead seems daunting.
The highlight of the session came from none other than Magic Johnson, whose personal story touched the heart of every admission professional in the room. He spoke with deep appreciation for his high school counselor, Ms. Bird, who invested time and effort into his success — refusing to let him take no for an answer.
“Somebody like you helped me to achieve my dreams. I’m here to thank you,” said Johnson. “If it weren’t for my high school counselor back in Michigan, I wouldn’t be here.”
She involved his parents and ensured his completion of necessary tasks, always making him feel valued and appreciated. Her dedication to him, along with the support of his family, played a pivotal role in his success, a lesson that resonates with us today.
Magic reminded us that we are more than just college admissions counselors. We are life counselors — sometimes a simple “hi” can lead to a 30-minute conversation about how a student is doing, how they’re handling the pressures of life, and how we can help them navigate it all. We are part of a village, a true support system that students rely on. It’s intimidating at times, knowing the profound impact we can have, but it’s also an extraordinary gift.
The takeaway? We’re in the business of changing lives, and it takes courage to step into that role every day. As we forge ahead through this busy recruitment season, let’s hold on to the reminder that we are not alone. Our collective courage is what drives us forward, and together, we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the students we serve.
By Nicole Bumphrey, Enrollment Solutions Consultant, Capture Higher Ed
