Association Business 

Governing Documents

Two documents govern the running of the association. International ACAC has a set of Bylaws which provide the framework of our association. Changes to the bylaws require approval of the membership. The Executive Board also employs Policies and Procedures which provide guidance for the day-to-day running of the association. This manual, unlike the bylaws, can be changed by a vote of the International ACAC Executive Board.

Annual Awards 

Congratulations to the 2024 Annual Awards Winners! 

Gerald Malik Ndungu	Dalia Wardany	Lin Larson	Malissa Takacs
Rising Star Award	Distinguished Service Award	Peter Hauet Lifetime Achievement Award	Panetha Nychis Ott Member of the Year Award

International ACAC annually recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the college counseling and admission profession. International ACAC members submit nominations annually to recognize their peers. Award winners are announced during the Annual Conference in July. Descriptions of each award are provided below. 

Rising Star Award 

This award recognizes a new member who is striving to make a difference within International ACAC. NACAC's Rising Star Award honors individuals and programs that exemplify excellence and dedication to serving the needs of students in the transition from high school to college. The International ACAC Rising Star Award was established in 2015 to honor those deserving of international recognition. They must be new members who are striving to make a difference within our Association through their work in committees and/or in their communities. Individuals receiving a Rising Star Award nomination must be professional members of International ACAC for no more than five years.

AWARD WINNERS: 

• Gerald Malik Ndungu, 2024
• Abraham Barry, 2023
• James Akaba, 2022
• Moustafa Ezz, 2021
• Aileen Lee, 2020
• Samuel Jeong 2019
• Christine Grover, 2018
• Jenny Tassell, 2018
• Ed Tourle, 2017 
• Rhonda Leshman, 2016
• Jennifer Lee, 2015  

Distinguished Service Award

This award recognizes a person who has provided International ACAC with unique and outstanding service to our association. As a member-run organization, International ACAC relies on the time, talent, and dedication of its membership to realize its professional mission. Recipients of this award have contributed in invaluable and incalculable ways to the success, growth, and improvement of International ACAC.

AWARD WINNERS:

• Dalia Wardany, 2024
• Rebecca McIntosh, 2023
• Megan Mankerian-Stem, 2022
• Nancy Cromarty, 2021
• Kristoffer Toribio, 2020
• Dane Rowley, 2019
• Laura Kaub, 2018
• Joan Liu, 2017
• John "Jack" Shull, 2016
• Rosa Moreno, 2015
• David Zutautas, 2014
• Clay Hensley, 2013
• Jimm Crowder, 2012
• Cathy Curtis, 2011
• Panetha Nychis Ott, 2010
• Joe Walsh, 2009
• Bridget Herrera, 2008
• Dale Ford, 2007
• Marie Vivas, 2006
• Hamilton Gregg, 2005
• Doug Thompson, 2004 

Peter Hauet Lifetime Achievement Award

International ACAC established the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002 to recognize an individual who has contributed to the profession in a significant and lasting manner. This award, which represents International ACAC's highest member tribute, is presented to an individual who, over a period of years, has performed outstanding service to International ACAC, to our profession, and to the international college counseling community. In 2015, the award was renamed in honor of Peter Hauet, upon his receiving the award during the 2015 International ACAC Conference. Peter was a founding member of our Association and served on the Executive Board for twenty-years. Sitting members of the International ACAC Executive Board are ineligible for this award.

Award Winners:           

• Lin Larson, 2024
• Panetha Nychis Ott (posthumous), 2023
• Debbie McDowell, 2022
• Terry Axe (posthumous), 2021
• John Evans, 2021
• Ellyn Taylor Levin, 2020
• Marjorie Smith, 2020
• Bridget Herrera, 2019
• Ray Marx, 2018
• Marie Vivas, 2017
• Dale Ford, 2016
• Peter Hauet, 2015
• Doug Thompson, 2014
• Frieda Dietrich, 2013
• Janet Hurd, 2012
• Barbara Marlow, 2011
• Richard Dawson, 2010
• Joyce Smith, 2009
• Shep Shanley, 2008
• Nicholas Senecal, 2007
• Vivian Cipolla, 2006
• Jane Lowery, 2005
• Peggy Templeton Strong, 2004
• Beth Linguri, 2003  

Panetha Nychis Ott Member of the Year Award

Inaugural for 2024

The Panetha Nychis Ott Member of the Year Award is bestowed upon a member nominated by the Executive Board in recognition of their significant contributions to International ACAC throughout the year. This award honors the legacy of the late Panetha Nychis Ott, whose illustrious career exemplified a steadfast commitment to service, advocacy, and ethical practices in college admission counseling. 

AWARD WINNERS:

General Membership Meetings

Annual membership meetings are held in conjunction with the annual International ACAC Conference and the annual NACAC conference. Minutes for the most recent meetings are not approved by the membership until the following meeting. Review minutes from past general membership meetings.

Executive Board Meetings

The International ACAC Executive Board meets in conjunction with the annual International ACAC conference and the annual NACAC conference. Between meetings, other business is conducted through virtual meetings and email communication. Find recent Executive Board Meeting Minutes.