The 2021 GEM Award Nomination period is now open.
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1.) How do I nominate someone for the GEM award? 2.) How frequently will GEM award recipients be announced? |
Current International ACAC members may nominate an International ACAC colleague for the GEM award two times each year. This recognition features the exemplary work of International ACAC members by highlighting a dedication to our profession, our colleagues, and our students by demonstrating best practices, acts of good will, creativity, and ethics. International ACAC members are encouraged to submit nominations of outstanding colleagues who show a high level of commitment to helping students and/or colleagues. This commitment may be demonstrated in a variety of ways including consistent participation in an International ACAC committee that strengthens the organization or willingness to go above and beyond the duties of their role in order to assist others.
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A photo of all GEM award recipients along with a brief description of his/her service will be placed on the International ACAC website in the “Read about our current and past GEM award recipients” section. In addition, the recipient will also be recognized in the following ways.
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The Going the Extra Mile program recognizes the exemplary work of International ACAC John Liu The May 2020 GEM awardee was John Liu. Multiple nominators particularly noted John’s dedicated work back in January 2020 to develop a gathering place for on-line events to support students in China affected by COVID-19 and the cancelation of March to May in-person recruitment events, pivoting a platform he had created two years earlier for another initiative for Shanghai area college fairs. One of them wrote that the website he developed showed innovation and virtual support for what would become a trailblazing effort as the rest of the world was impacted by COVID-19 in the following months. The resource he created is a space that students, counselors and admission officers now rely on to share events. This outreach is no small feat and his colleagues are aware that he spent hours of your own time supporting this project during a difficult time in We thank John for his dedication to our profession and offer our congratulations both to him and to Yew Chung International School of Shanghai on his receiving the May 2020 Going the Extra Mile award. Sarah Loring de Garcia The December 2020 GEM awardee was Sarah Loring de Garcia. Sarah's nominators emphasized her enthusiasm and commitment to the profession. One described her as a powerhouse when it comes to offering authentic, smart, principled advice. You can catch her threads on a variety of forums, always assertively helping others and offering her expertise and resources to back up her responses. She counsels like a well-oiled machine - every document is student-centered, every interaction is a community -friendly and every mentoring technique handed out is intentional. Another nominator shared her annual USA Test-Optional List for International Students is comprehensive and supports offering counselors an easy go-to resource while also allowing those universities who have policies that are flexible to promote them. Maintaining such a list is selfless and shows Sarah's commitment to offering reliable resources for counselors to use around the world. Sarah is often a contributor in the International ACAC Facebook group supporting members with their questions or concerns as well. Sarah's enthusiasm and commitment to the profession is exemplary and the December 2019 GEM Award is a well-deserved recognition of her contributions to International ACAC.
Sherrie Huan The Fall 2019 GEM awardee was Sherrie Huan. Sherrie’s nominators particularly noted her dedicated work on the Governance and Nominating Committee (GNC) of the International ACAC. As a member of last year´s GNC, Sherrie went above and beyond to share new ideas to encourage our members to get out and vote. One of her best initiatives was writing a blog to share her own experiences to motivate members to express their voice by voting. Her positive attitude to offer support, share insights, and lend a hand illuminates the work we do. Sherrie brings enthusiasm and commitment to the profession. We congratulate her on this award! |
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Kelly Braun, Saigon South International School, Vietnam |
Dale Ford The Spring 2018 GEM awardee was Dale Ford of the International British School of Phuket Mitsuko Leonard The Fall 2017 GEM award was conferred on Mitsuko Leonard of the University of California, Davis. The two nominators particularly noted Mitsuko’s dedicated work on the International ACAC Professional Development committee. Her leadership role as co-chair of Webinar Wednesdays, increasing the professionalism and breadth of the virtual professional development series, has been instrumental in the result of the program being recognized by NACAC with the Rising Star Award.
Jolynn Vallejo Jolynn had two nominators: Robert Duff from Northlands and Rachel Dillon from The American School Foundation. Robert noted, “One of the most outstanding aspects I would like to emphasize is her level of empathy; just by having very engaging conversations with a few of our students, she could pick up feelings and life events our students were facing (by analyzing their art work and by showing a true interest in what the students were trying to express). I have held many such portfolio reviews, but it is not usual to see this level of commitment and empathy.” Rachel added that, “She is wholeheartedly committed to whatever it is she chooses to dedicate herself to whether that be her music, her advanced studies in psychology, her daughter, or for the purposes this nomination, her work at CCA (and beyond!).” Marie Whalen Marie’s nominator, Claudia Botero from Marymount School Medellin, particularly noted Ms. Whalen’s generosity in sharing her knowledge and mentoring both counselors and students. Claudia described Marie in glowing terms as “knowledgeable, patient, giving of her time, watches out for her institution and is proud of it, stands by and exalts her international students any chance she can, and loves, loves, loves what she does.” Marie Kobayashi The first inaugural GEM award was conferred on Marie Kobayashi of St Mary’s International School of Japan. Marie’s nominator, Peter Hauet, particularly noted her dedicated work to organizing the largest college fair in the history of the 25-year-old Kanto Plains College Fair. The Kanto Plains College Fair has been going on for nearly 25 years alternating between St. Mary's International School and The American School in Japan. Marie worked with all of the Kanto Plains, Japan high schools and the U.S. Embassy to make it an event to attend with universities from all over the world represented. Peter wrote that not only does Marie go out of her way to make college admissions representatives’ trips proceed as smoothly as possible, but that she always places her students first. We are pleased to thank Marie for her dedication to our profession, and offer our congratulations both to her and to St. Mary’s International School of Japan on her receiving the inaugural Going the Extra Mile award (January, 2017). |