About the Virginia College Advising Corps
(formerly the College Guide Program)
Although 79% of Virginians ages 18-24 have high school diplomas, only 53% of Virginians attend college directly out of high school. Given their idealism and fresh perspective on the college experience, recent University graduates serve as advocates for higher education. Advisers spend forty-plus hours per week working alongside counselors and other access programs to motivate and assist students through the college application process. College Advisers serve as near-peer mentors to students and work with them daily to achieve their educational goals. From providing SAT prep classes and essay writing workshops to Financial Aid Nights and college visits, Advisers seek to provide educational programming for both students and families. We have worked with over 70,000 students and parents since 2005-06.
The work of College Advisers extends beyond the walls of their high schools and into the families and communities of their students. Living and working in these communities, Advisers are challenged to enhance or to build a college-going culture. By engaging with local access groups and other community organizations, Advisers serve more than just their high schools, they provide enthusiasm and encouragement toward achieving goals of higher education to their region. Through the Advisers' interaction with parents, teachers, and community members, students are encouraged to pursue higher education by their community as a whole. Some Advisers choose to coach sports teams or sponsor clubs as a way to reach out to a broader base of students. Regardless of the specific role they choose to play in their schools, each Adviser becomes an integral part of their community.
This map shows the areas of the state in which VCAC is serving. To contact a College Adviser in your region, click on the appropriate name or photo below.
ALEXANDRIA
Northern Virginia Community College
CLAS 2010
Government and Psychology
What I enjoy most about being a College Adviser is being able to help students reach their transfer goals and having the opportunity to collaborate and learn from such a great group of Advisers. My hobbies include cooking, visiting new cities, and hanging out with my 2 year old nephew!
CLAS 2011
Foreign Affairs and Religious
Studies
As a College Adviser, I love being inspired by my students' unique stories and backgrounds. My hobbies include traveling, arts and crafts and baking.
ANNANDALE
Northern Virginia Community College
Selam AsihelCLAS 2011
Foreign Affairs and Economics
(Minor - Sociology)
CHARLOTTESVILLE
Reshaud RichCLAS 2009
Sociology
The thing I enjoy most about being a
College Adviser is knowing that I'm making a difference in today's youth. My hobbies include physical fitness, learning, and leaving memorable experiences.
Piedmont Virginia Community College
CLAS 2011
English
My favorite things about being a
College Adviser are working one-on-one with students to achieve their college dreams, and our VCAC adviser family. In my free time, I enjoy yoga, painting, and reading.
DANVILLE
CLAS 2010
History
FLUVANNA COUNTY
CLAS 2010
Environmental Science
My two favorite things about being a College Adviser are first, and most important, the opportunity to work one-on-one with students to make them see their own potential. The second is the sense of community among all the advisors; it is an incredible network of friendship and support that makes even the most difficult days easier. I love caving, hiking, and camping; reading almost anything and pretending to exercise.
GREENE COUNTY
CLAS 2010
Spanish and Foreign Affairs
(Minor - Architecture)
As a College Adviser, not only do I enjoy going to work every day but I feel good about the work I do every, single day. In Greene, I have the autonomy to do the work I feel is important and am able to see what higher education can do for the growth and progress of the community. In my free time I enjoy music, Irish dancing and Chinese calligraphy.
HENRY COUNTY
CLAS 2011
Foreign Affairs and History
The part that I enjoy the most about being a College Adviser is the look on a student's face when they tell me they've been accepted to college -- Priceless! My hobbies include coaching the Bassett High School girls' varsity soccer team, running and reading - it is important to keep your mind sharp and to stay informed!
CLAS 2011
Socioeconomic Class and Culture
My favorite part of being a College Adviser is that you get out of it what you put into it. The position is flexible so that you can really be creative and make a difference in your school. My hobbies include running, hiking, rafting and camping.
LOUISA COUNTY
CLAS 2011
History
My favorite part about being a College Adviser is being able to give back to the my home community by leading more students to consider higher education where they otherwise would not. Working with my students, and knowing many of their stories, makes it all the more sweeter when I find out that they have been accepted by their first choice college! My hobbies include baking deliciously sweet goodies, reading, and traveling.
MARTINSVILLE
CLAS 2011
Sociology (Minor - Religious Studies)
Simply put, I love my students! They're so
full of untapped potential and it is my pleasure to watch them blossom. My hobbies include playing the guitar, writing songs, and photography.
NELSON COUNTY
CLAS 2011
African American Studies and English
My favorite thing about being a College
Adviser is the relationships I get to build with students and the with other advisers. My hobbies include reading, creative writing and music.
ORANGE COUNTY
CLAS 2010
Religious Studies
The thing I enjoy most about being a part of VCAC is the huge difference I am able to make in underrepresented students' lives by establishing strong relationships with them and being the advocate for higher education that they are often sorely lacking. My hobbies include reading and cooking.
PATRICK COUNTY
CLAS 2010
Environmental Science
I enjoy getting to spend every day
working with high school students, getting them into schools they may not have thought were within their reach and helping them make college actually affordable. I'm also incredibly thankful to have met so many people who are passionate about doing this kind of work -- having colleagues who care about what they are doing is inspiring. My hobbies include hiking, baking and listening to music.
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY
CLAS 2011
American Studies and Sociology
I recognize that I was able to attend college due to much help from others in my life. VCAC provides me with an opportunity to give back in a unique way, and pay it forward. Also, I've had the opportunity to coach JV Volleyball within one of my schools. Coaching has been a fun and rewarding addition to my experience with VCAC. My hobbies include tennis, volleyball and traveling.
Morgan GibsonCLAS 2011
History & Studies in Women and
Gender (Minor - Dance)
I love serving in my own community and bringing to it vital information about higher education. I also love being an encouragement to my students throughout a stressful time in their lives. My hobbies include reading, spending time with my family and running.
RICHMOND
CLAS 2011
English and African American Studies
The thing I enjoy most about being a
College Adviser is learning about my students and their lives. My hobbies include trying new recipes, reading fashion magazines, and watching college basketball
CLAS 2010
Religious Studies
WARREN COUNTY
CLAS 2009
History (Minor - Italian)
My favorite thing about being a College
Adviser is that I have the chance to make my students’ lives a little better, every single day that I’m at work. I love coaching cross country and track at Skyline (go Hawks!). I also love to attend as many concerts as possible. And I make really fantastic guacamole. People who don’t like guacamole, like my guacamole!
WASHINGTON COUNTY
CLAS 2009, Economics
Batten 2010, MPP
I love watching my students grow. When we first start talking about college, they don't even have enough information to know what questions to ask. By spring semester, they're telling each other how much the PELL grant is worth and making fun of the ones who haven't applied for a PIN yet. I recently got really into Zumba. I am attempting my first half-marathon this spring. And I somehow got recruited to play hand bells at church.
