In today's episode, I sit down with Tom Bear and David Hawkins, and we delve into the significance of character in the college admissions process, the mission of NACAC, and the evolving landscape of higher education. Tune in to explore how character matters more than ever in shaping the future of higher education!

Bio

Tom Bear, Ed.D. has spent over thirty years in college enrollment.  He is currently the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.  Prior to Rose, Tom served as Senior Director for Enrollment Management at the University of Notre Dame.  Additionally, Tom was Vice President for Enrollment Services at the University of Evansville. During his career, Tom has worked with both admission and financial aid decision-making.  He has built enrollment yield models, introduced holistic admissions, managed financial aid scholarships, administered pre-college programs, and promoted student diversity and inclusivity.  He has also been involved in the selection of merit scholar recipients including the Notre Dame Scholars (including Hesburgh/Yusko Recipients) and Noblitt Scholars at Rose-Hulman. Tom currently serves on the boards of Private College 529 and Voyageur Outward Bound.  He has also been a member of the Indiana ACT Council.  Tom currently serves as the Chair for NACAC’s Character Focus Initiative.  He earned his doctorate degree from Indiana University and did extensive research on student retention.

David Hawkins is the Chief Education and Policy Officer for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), based in Arlington, VA. The National
Association for College Admission Counseling is a non-profit membership association
that represents more than 27,000 high school counselors and college admission officers
throughout the U.S. and around the world. NACAC is devoted to making the transition
between high school and postsecondary education equitable, transparent, and fair.
Mr. Hawkins holds a BA and MA in Government from the College of William & Mary in
Virginia. From 1995-1998, he conducted research for the Democratic Congressional
Campaign Committee (DCCC) in Washington, DC. From 1998-2000, he served under
President Bill Clinton and Secretary Andrew Cuomo as a Congressional Affairs
Specialist at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Hawkins joined
NACAC as Director of Government Relations in March 2000 and over his 24 years with
the association has assumed responsibility for leading NACAC’s advocacy, research,
education and training, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

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Click here to visit the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) website.

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