Awards
We believe in recognizing the hard work and contributions of those in our profession and our Association. See more about each award below along with previous recipients.
Interested in nominating someone who deserves to be recognized? Submit this form to the Awards Committee! Winners will be announced at our Annual Conference in May.
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This award recognizes an Admission Counseling professional who exemplifies excellence and dedication to serving the needs of students in the transition from high school to college and/or the transition to another college/university. This representative should have exhibited sustained service in the college admissions field by providing exceptional support to students and peers, service to the Association or service to state, national or allied associations. Both the person nominating and the candidate must be members of NJACAC in good standing. In the nomination please include the candidate’s impact on the association or membership, and demonstrated innovation and initiative.
Previous Recipients:
2025: Jess Snover
2024: Lai Ara Powell
2023: Grace Talian
2022: John Cogan
2019: Michael Cartusciello
2018 Larry Alterman
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This award recognizes a School Counselor who exemplifies excellence and dedication to serving the needs of students in the transition from high school to college. This counselor should have exhibited sustained service in the college admissions field by providing exceptional support to students and peers, service to the Association or service to state, national or allied associations. Both the person nominating and the candidate must be members of NJACAC in good standing. In the nomination please include the candidate’s impact on the association or membership, and demonstrated innovation and initiative.
Previous Recipients:
2024: Nancy Ortiz
2023: Laurie Sieminski Jammal
2022: Aimee Thomson
2021: Randy Stamm
2019: Muleyke Fidan
2018: Monica Mann
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The Biunno-Lynes Award is the highest recognition NJACAC can bestow upon an executive board member (present or past) and recognizes one’s loyalty, dedication and extraordinary service to NJACAC. Past recipients have contributed greatly to the organization over the course of many years, having been elected to the Presidential cycle and other Executive Board positions, serving as active Chairs and/or members on standing Committees, and volunteering for multiple NJACAC-led programs and events. The Award is named in memory of Robert Biunno (1927-1976) and George Lynes (1937-2015), two prominent admission professionals who helped shape the profession and the growth of NJACAC.
Previous Recipients:
2024: Carlos Cano
2021: Dana Lambert
2020: Marianna Marchese
2017: Melissa O’Sullivan
2016: Cigus Vanni
2015: Susan Makowski
2013: Claire Cafaro
2012: Nancy Hazelgrove
2011: Susan Hatch
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Given to an individual who has made exemplary contributions to NJACAC and the admission counseling profession over the course of the past academic fiscal year, recipients of this award are active participants on the Executive Board, leaders of standing committees, and/or participants in professional development activities through workshops and annual conferences. In previous years, recipients of this award have coordinated the annual Bus Tour program, planned the Meadowlands National College Fair, and made other significant contributions to the affiliate.
Previous Recipients:
2025: Sierra Romano & Abby Molos
2024: Chris Hoffman
2023: Casandra Smith
2022: Morgan Sim
2021: Giovanna Flynn
2019: Nicole Cibelli and Brian Switay
2018: Danielle Toglia and Bernice Hornchak
2017: Jose Vallejo
2016: Elaine Freda
2015: Dana Lambert
2013: Jennifer Neuchterlein
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This award recognizes admission counseling professionals and NJACAC members new to the profession who exemplify excellence and dedication to serving the needs of students in the transition from high school to college. Further, the award encourages honorees to continue their professional development through active participation in NJACAC activities and programs.
Previous Recipients:
2025: Victoria Farley
2024: Dylan Klim
2023: Grant Tokarski
2022: Mark Ruff
2021: Sarah Morissette
2019: Cherilyn Reynolds
2018: Melissa Zolla
2017: Reve Anderko
2016: Julia Del Bagno
2015: Lauren Livak
2014: Jaclyn Rodrigues and Carolyn Ucci
2013: Carlos Cano
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Given to members who are retiring this calendar or school year, the Retiring Member Award recognizes the members’ significant contributions to NJACAC during their careers in college admission counseling as high school counselors, college admission officers or independent consultants.
Previous Recipients:
2025: Dana Lambert
2024: Alisa Hogan
2023: Bernice Hornchak
2022: Cas Jakubik and Joanne Jakubik
2021: Pamela Ghee and Fran Swift
2019: Elaine Freda
2017: Nancy Icenhower
2016: Nancy Campbell
2015: Rich Freccia
2014: Barbara Cohen
2013: Marianna Marchese
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Conferred occasionally, the Friend of NJACAC Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding support of, and have been advocates for, the goals and objectives of the Association. Nominees for this award may be non-NJACAC affiliated college admission counseling professionals, as well as business, political, educational or community leaders whose contributions to our professional endeavors warrant special notice.
Previous Recipients:
2024: Kevin Hudson and StriveScan
2023: Marcheta P. Evans, Ph.D.
2022: Dr. Kara Ieva
2019: Zakiya Smith Ellis
2017: Christina Hamme Patterson
2016: Joe Roberto
2015: Rebecca Martin
2014: Nancy Icenhower