Global College & Career Advising

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Assess trends and institutional frameworks (including rankings, policy shifts, and measures of excellence) that shape student and family decision-making across higher education, trade schools, and other postsecondary pathways.
• Explore ethical frameworks and cultural awareness to advising practices, balancing student-centered guidance with the expectations of parents, schools, and communities.
• Evaluate cases focused on holistic admissions processes, including institutional priorities, to strengthen advising strategies and demystify admissions outcomes for students and families.
• Identify best practices in assisting students when navigating financial aid, scholarships, and funding opportunities, with particular attention to students from low-income or first-generation backgrounds.
• Investigate the role of artificial intelligence in counseling and advising, identifying opportunities and challenges while modeling responsible and equitable use of emerging tools.
• Identify a problem of practice within that addresses a real advising challenge in your school or community, demonstrating the ability to translate program learning into practical action.
   

Spring 2026 Schedule At-A-Glance 

Program Introduction 

Jen Mathews, Education Consulting

AI in College Admission: What Counselors Need to Know to Guide the Next Generation 

Emily Pacheco, edhub.ai

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the college admissions landscape; from how students discover schools to how applications are reviewed and decisions are made. As trusted guides in students' post-secondary journeys, counselors must understand these shifts to advise with clarity, confidence, and ethics. This session will help to demystify AI’s current and emerging role in admissions and post-secondary decision-making. Through hands-on demonstrations, ethical discussions, and real-world examples, participants will explore how AI is shaping opportunity and equity in education, and how to prepare students to navigate this evolving landscape responsibly.

Supporting Neurodiverse Students in College Admissions: Strength-Based, Ethical, and Rigorous Advising 

Dr. Aviva Legatt, EdGenerative

Neurodiverse students—ADHD, autism spectrum, dyslexia, anxiety profiles, 2e learners, and others—experience the college process through a different cognitive, emotional, and sensory lens. Yet most advising frameworks are built for neurotypical pathways: linear timelines, executive-function-heavy tasks, and standardized narratives of achievement. This session centers strength-based, ethical, and equity-driven advising practices that recognize neurodiversity as an asset rather than a barrier. Drawing from current research and case examples, participants will examine how neurodivergent traits influence motivation, school engagement, executive functioning, and self-advocacy. We will unpack common pitfalls—overscheduling, burnout, “fixing” rather than supporting, misinterpreting uneven profiles—and discuss how to guide students in building routines, portfolios, and narratives that highlight their genuine abilities. Advisors will also learn practical strategies for working with families, supporting disclosure decisions, and helping students evaluate campus environments for accessibility, belonging, and academic fit.

Preparing Students and Families for Cross-Cultural Transitions

Dr. Derrick Gay

Students moving across borders—or into unfamiliar educational environments—face challenges that extend beyond applications. This session introduces research on cross-cultural kids (CCKs) and intercultural communication. Participants will learn strategies for preparing students and families for cultural transitions, beginning as early as the application process, and will hear from global admissions professionals about advising students considering multiple destinations and pathways.

Understanding Gen-Z and Today’s Postsecondary Landscape

Sophie Smith, College Contact

This session examines the shifting realities shaping postsecondary readiness for Gen-Z students. Participants will explore current challenges facing counselors, students, and school teams—including the impact of modern applications, social media, and evolving expectations around career and college pathways. We will take a macro-level look at U.S. postsecondary options, including non-traditional pathways, and discuss how students are navigating these choices across racial, socioeconomic, and linguistic contexts. The session also introduces practical strategies for advising diverse learners, elevating the high school profile, and supporting students in developing meaningful passion projects aligned with any postsecondary direction.

Inside the U.S. Holistic Admissions Process 

Sophie Smith, College Contact

Inspired by Who Gets In and Why, this session offers a behind-the-scenes look at how selective colleges approach admissions decision-making. Participants will explore how institutions balance institutional priorities, applicant context, and holistic review factors when shaping a class. We will also cover core advising strategies—from building balanced college lists to guiding students on demonstrated interest, crafting compelling essays, and navigating difficult decisions. Advisors will leave with clearer insight into how admissions offices operate and how to support students through each stage of the process.

Guiding Students Toward Gap Years and Non-Traditional Postsecondary Pathways

Julie Zimmerman, Higher Education and Ed Tech Advisory

While most college counseling frameworks emphasize four-year college admissions, an increasing number of students are exploring gap years, certificate programs, apprenticeships, or entrepreneurial paths before or instead of traditional higher education. This session will help counselors broaden their advising lens to include alternative, purposeful postsecondary routes ensuring that students who are not “college-ready” or who prefer nontraditional pathways are still guided with structure, clarity and confidence. Participants will review case studies, explore reputable global gap-year and experiential learning models, and discuss advising strategies that balance student exploration with long-term readiness and employability.

Authenticity in the Age of “Curated” Applications 

Julie Zimmerman, Higher Education and Ed Tech Advisory

As college admissions becomes increasingly competitive, students are often encouraged to engage in “passion projects,” research programs, and expensive summer experiences marketed as resume builders. This session will examine the growing tension between authentic student development and the over-curation of applications. Advisors will discuss how to help students craft narratives that reflect genuine interests rather than engineered profiles, and how to evaluate and advise on “pay-to-play” opportunities responsibly. Participants will also explore strategies for promoting equity and authenticity in storytelling across different socioeconomic contexts.

Problems of Practice Capstone 

Jen Mathews, Education Consulting

Throughout the course, participants will identify an advising challenge from their school or community and develop a research-informed solution. Projects may take the form of a paper, video, infographic, presentation, podcast, or other creative format. In this culminating session, participants will share their work, reflect on successes and challenges, and discuss actionable next steps to strengthen support for students navigating higher education, trade school, and other postsecondary opportunities.

Looking Ahead & Program Close

Jen Mathews, Education Consulting