College Counseling practice

Empowering the Leaders Who Shape Bright Futures

Your college counseling department’s ability to successfully support students as they and their families navigate the ever-changing college admission landscape is one of your school’s core value propositions.  Our College Counseling Practice features four former Directors of College Counseling and two previous college counselors, all with broad networks and deep experience with building and maintaining high performing College Counseling Departments.

Whether you are searching for a new college counseling leader or sharpening how your school integrates college counseling into your students’ journeys, we provide strategic insight and practical knowledge that drive improvement. We welcome conversation whether you anticipate an opening or are contemplating a program assessment, or an investment in coaching for your director or team.

We understand that exceptional college counseling is essential to a school’s mission of preparing students for life beyond graduation. Our dedicated team partners with schools to identify and recruit college counseling professionals who combine deep knowledge of the admissions landscape with a genuine commitment to student growth and well-being. Drawing on decades of experience and a vast network across independent schools and higher education, we help schools find counselors and directors who not only guide students through the college process with expertise and empathy but also strengthen the overall academic and advising culture of the institution.

Our College Counseling Department Assessment helps schools strengthen one of the most critical areas of their academic and student support programs. Led by former Directors of College Counseling with deep experience in higher education and independent schools, our team provides a comprehensive evaluation of your department’s structure, practices, and outcomes. Through interviews, data analysis, and benchmarking against best practices, we identify opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance communication with families, and align the college counseling program with your school’s mission and strategic goals. The result is a clear, actionable roadmap that empowers schools to elevate the college counseling experience for every student.

We are skilled at coaching College Counseling leaders as they navigate the complex and evolving demands of their roles. Drawing on extensive experience in both independent schools and higher education, our consultants provide personalized guidance on leadership development, team management, and strategic decision-making. We help leaders refine their communication with key stakeholders, strengthen collaboration across departments, and align their counseling vision with the broader goals of the school. Whether supporting a new director stepping into the role for the first time or helping an experienced leader elevate their impact, we offer practical, empathetic, and mission-driven coaching that fosters confidence, and lasting success.

Contact Our College Counseling Practice Leader

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Jennifer Wong Christensen

Practice Leader, College Counseling; Senior Consultant

School Testimonial

“Amy Rogers has a unique expertise in supporting independent school college counseling offices based on her extensive experience as a Director of College Counseling at NAIS schools, combined with her leadership in the field on a national level. As a fellow-member of the Board of the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS), Amy always deftly identified the right question to ask, especially as the organization embarked on its first strategic plan. Her thought leadership on how college counseling offices can identify and effectively communicate the true value proposition of college outcomes and engagement for our schools helped me create our own approach to this ubiquitous issue at USN.”

— Aaron Fulk, Director of College Counseling, University School of Nashville

School Testimonial

“In our search for an Executive Director of College Counseling, Marsha Little and Chris Boyle truly got to know EA and the aspirations we had at a critical moment in the history of our college counseling program. Their always thoughtful questions and steady guidance helped us clarify what we most needed in a leader and evaluate candidates with both rigor and care. We felt supported, stretched, and confident throughout the process. We would excitedly partner with them again.”

— T.J. Locke, Head of School at The Episcopal Academy

School Testimonial

“The Carney Sandoe team invested deeply in understanding Nightingale’s mission, culture, and vision for college counseling. Their thoughtful, disciplined process resulted in an exceptional hire who is already strengthening our community and advancing a clear, comprehensive, and mission-aligned college counseling program. Thank you for your partnership.”

— Nichole Foster-Hinds, Upper School Head at Nightingale-Bamford School

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Expertise You Can Trust

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Personalized Support

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Making the Match