Award Winners

Patricia A. Kasowski Recognition Award Recipients

The Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling’s Recognition Award was inaugurated in 1974, to recognize long and meritorius service to our profession, the rendering of service to our association, the demonstration of leadership and, finally, service with distinction. In 1997, the IACAC Executive Board renamed the award in memory of Patricia A. Kasowski.

1974 Jo Dawson
1974 Tom Dyba
1974 Louise Paine
1975 David Dudley
1975 Orville Nothdurft
1975 Margaret Perry
1976 Jack Allen
1976 Mary Cosner
1976 Enzo Giuntoli
1977 Jane Koten
1978 Jim Killam
1979 Roger Campbell
1980 David Lindeman
1981 Floyd Hillman
1982 Ken Reese
1983 Lois Mazzuca
1984 Michael Dessimoz
1984 Mildred Sullivan
1985 Jim Ruoti
1986 Jim Alexander
1987 Marilyn Scholl
1988 Jack Christian
1989 Robert Negronida
1990 Sam Perpitch
1991 Allen Lentino
1992  Evelyn Burdick
1993 Patricia Kasowski
1994 Regina Manley
1995 Matt Flanigan
1995 Anne Kennedy
1996 Mary Lee Hoganson
1997 Mary Hendry
1998 Marna Shapiro
1999 Susan Biemeret

2000 Lun Ye Crim Barefield
2001 Steve Adams
2002 Nancy Monken
2003 Angela Roberson
2004 Paul Cleary
2005 Gwen Kanelos
2006 George (Kaz) Kazlusky
2007 Judy Becker
2008 Ron Weimer
2009 Molly Arnold
2010 Donna Epton
2011 Bruce Scher
2012 Maryanne Kelly
2013 Frank DuBois
2014 Marsha Hubbuch
2015 Naomi Ewing
2016 Robert Murray
2017 Kathy McSherry
2018 Ellen Rostker
2019 Aliza Gilbert
2020 Todd Burrell
2021 Julie Nelson
2022 Amy Belstra
2023 Carin Smith
2024 Michelle Rogers
2025 Courtney Wallace*

Courtney E. Wallace Distinguished Service Award Recipients

The Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling’s Courtney Wallace Distinguished Service Award was inaugurated in 2025. This award recognizes members with at least fifteen (15) years of service who have provided strong and consistent leadership to IACAC. More than one award may be given each year.

The award is named in honor of Courtney Wallace, a dedicated college admission professional known for championing access to higher education, advocating for women in admission, encouraging younger admission professionals, and uplifting voices. Courtney supported thousands of students and countless colleagues through her work in IACAC, NACAC, and CARR. Her smile, humor, knowledge of and respect for the profession, and positive attitude were infectious. She brought light and laughter to her colleagues, friends, and the countless families she served during her distinguished career. Her commitment to the ethics of our work was a model for the profession, and we are a better profession for having had her in it, for far too short a time.

Molly K. Arnold President’s Service Recognition Award Recipients

The Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling’s President’s Service Recognition Award was inaugurated in 1999, to recognize members with more than five years’ service who have provided strong and consistent leadership to IACAC. More than one award may be given each year. In 2010, the IACAC Executive Board renamed the award in honor of Molly K. Arnold..

James A. Alexander Newcomer Award Recipients

The Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling’s Newcomer Recognition Award was inaugurated in 1987, to recognize significant contributions of those members with fewer than five years’ involvement with IACAC. More than one award may be given each year. In 2004, the IACAC Executive Board renamed the award in honor of James A. Alexander.

IACAC Friend to College Counseling Award Recipients

The Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling’s Friend to College Counseling Award was established in 2001 to recognize an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions to education and to the college counseling profession, particularly in Illinois.

2001 Illinois Student Assistance Commission
2003 Scholl Communications Incorporated
2005 Dan Saavedra, Betadac Media, IACAC Webmaster
2006 Illinois State University
2013 Illinois School Counselors Association
2014 Chicago Area Regional Representatives (CARR)
2015 Office of the Illinois Attorney General
2018 University of Chicago Consortium on School Research
2023 Chicago Public Schools Office of School Counseling and Postsecondary Advising – Gretchen Rhodes & Breanne Dale; Omar Solomon and Sylvia Hernandez

Inclusion, Access and Success Service Award

This award was inaugurated in 2015, to recognize members who have been instrumental in making postsecondary educational opportunities available to historically underrepresented students.

2015 Eric Ruiz
2016 Abel Montoya
2017 Aliza Gilbert
2018 Mayra Lagunas
2019 Ziggy Blackwell
2020 Omar Solomon
2021 Joe Freeman
2022 Traci Flowers
2023 Sara Espinosa and Scott Hillman
2024 Amy Thompson and Sharon Williams
2025 Lakeisha Kizer

Mentorship Match of the Year

The Mentorship Program brings together new and experienced members of the counseling profession. Through mentee/mentor pairings, members are able to make connections that provide support, foster professional growth and development, and encourage the sharing of ideas.

*Awarded posthumously