1974
Setting the Stage
A group of seven IECs come together to lay the groundwork for the association.
Image: Bob Smith, one of 51³Ô¹Ï's founders
1976
51³Ô¹Ï is Founded
The Independent Educational Counselors Association is established with 30 charter members. Membership dues are set at $50.
1977
First Director
David Edgar serves as 51³Ô¹Ï’s volunteer director. Membership dues double to $100 and begin a $100/year increase through 1982.
1979
Name Change
The organization’s name changes to the Independent Educational Consultants Association.
1980
Membership Milestone
The Associate member category is established.
1982
First Conference Held
51³Ô¹Ï’s first conference takes place at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. That same year, Bill Pierce is hired as 51³Ô¹Ï’s part-time executive director and membership dues increase to $600.
Image: 51³Ô¹Ï’s first conference with (l to r) Ethna Hopper, Michael Spence, Robert Cohen, Carol Loewith
1987
Membership Milestone
51³Ô¹Ï’s membership grows to 100.
1993
First Practices & Principles Workshop
The first half-day Principles & Practices workshop is held to provide training for newer IECs.
1994
First Full-time Director Hired
51³Ô¹Ï hires its first full-time executive director (later CEO), Mark Sklarow, and its headquarters moves from Cape Cod to the Washington, DC region.
Image: Mark Sklarow
1996
51³Ô¹Ï Foundation
The 51³Ô¹Ï Foundation is established.
Image: Rita Goldberg, a founder of the 51³Ô¹Ï Foundation
1996
New Publication
51³Ô¹Ï publishes its first Insights newsletter.
1997
AICEP Established
51³Ô¹Ï establishes the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners (AICEP). 51³Ô¹Ï’s membership grows to 200.
2001
First Conference Post 9/11
51³Ô¹Ï’s membership grows to 300. 51³Ô¹Ï holds its conference in Tampa, Florida following the 9/11 terrorism attack.
Image: Pirate-themed conference held in Tampa
2003
First Summer Training Institute
The Principles & Practices workshop expands to become the first five-day , held at the Virginia Episcopal School. The 51³Ô¹Ï Conference shifts from Toronto to Orlando 10 days out due to the SARS outbreak.
2005
Growth of Conference
51³Ô¹Ï conference attendance surpasses 1,000 participants for the first time, with the event held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Student membership category is introduced.
Image: Attendees at 2005 Conference in Philadelphia. L-R: Carol Loewith, Jean Baldwin, Steve Antonoff, Becky Reynolds, Virginia Vogel, Diane Arnold.
2006
Membership Milestone
During its 30th anniversary year, 51³Ô¹Ï’s membership grows to 500 consultants, and its staff increases to five.
2011
New Specialty Designations
The Graduate membership specialty and International subspecialty are introduced, and the 51³Ô¹Ï staff grows to nine.
2012
Education Center Formed
51³Ô¹Ï’s membership grows to 1,000 consultants, and the association launches its Education Center with free monthly webinars for members.
2013
First Retreat Held
51³Ô¹Ï holds its first Professional Member Retreat in Charleston, South Carolina, and partners with NATSAP for Link n’ Learn.
2014
51³Ô¹Ï Named Continuing Education Provider
The National Board for Certified Counselors names 51³Ô¹Ï as a Continuing Education Program.
2015
Outreach in Asia
51³Ô¹Ï holds its first program in China.
Image: Photo of participants in Shenzhen at Sino-US forum
2016
Conference Attendance Grows to 1,500
51³Ô¹Ï conference attendance grows to 1,500 participants in Boston, Massachusetts, and its inaugural symposia are held in Newark, New Jersey and Los Angeles, California. That same year, the staff increases to 10.
Image: William Fitzsimmons, Harvard University's Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, speaks at 51³Ô¹Ï's 2016 conference
2019
Introduction of Member Network
51³Ô¹Ï launches the Member Network platform as membership surpasses 2,000.
2020
Pivot to Virtual Learning
COVID-19 hits and 51³Ô¹Ï transitions to online learning within weeks. STI is held virtually for nearly 200 participants, and the association’s biannual conferences are held online. New virtual college and program tours are held each week.
Image: STI online 2020
2021
Expansion of Member Support
51³Ô¹Ï’s Regional Groups expand to 40+ locations, and new Service and Making a Difference member awards are established. 51³Ô¹Ï holds its first Member Appreciation event (online).
2022
Membership Milestone
51³Ô¹Ï’s membership reaches 2,500, and its government relations efforts involve California, Oregon, and Illinois. The first in-person conference post-COVID takes place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Image: Philadelphia 2022, 51³Ô¹Ï's first conference post-COVID with former CEO, Mark Sklarow, and former President, Kristina Dooley.
2023
First Advocacy Day & European Symposium
As in-person activities resume, 51³Ô¹Ï holds its first DC Advocacy Day and first European Regional Symposium, in Milan, Italy.
Image: Advocacy Day 2023
2024
Transitions
51³Ô¹Ï transitions to one major Annual Conference per year. DC Advocacy Day and the European Regional Symposium become annual events. The First School Symposium takes place in New Jersey and 51³Ô¹Ï hires its first full-time tour coordinator. Longtime CEO Mark Sklarow retires.
Image: Mark Sklarow at his retirement reception 2024
2025
New Chief Executive Officer
51³Ô¹Ï offers its first online . 51³Ô¹Ï welcomes Stephanie Simpson as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Image: Stephanie Simpson, CEO, 51³Ô¹Ï
2026
50th Anniversary Celebration
The 51³Ô¹Ï community comes together to celebrate the association's milestone during its Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, May 18–20.