Posts by Cyndi Bohlin
Why I Belong: Kathleen Moore
It’s true that our work requires strategic expertise: building balanced lists, interpreting institutional priorities, tracking deadlines, helping students shape their unique narratives. But the core of this work, and what draws many of us to it and rewards us daily, is relational. We sit with students at tender, high-stakes moments: when confidence wobbles, when motivation…
Read MoreCherry Blossoms and Capitol Hill: 51³Ô¹Ï’s 2026 Advocacy Day Recap
While the political landscape in the United States remains tumultuous at best, one area currently enjoying bipartisan support is the movement to standardize and demystify financial aid offers. If you’ve been following 51³Ô¹Ï’s advocacy efforts over the last few years, you’re likely familiar with some of the key pieces of legislation we’ve supported: the Understanding…
Read MoreThe Future Learner: Navigating AI and Admissions at the 51³Ô¹Ï 2026 European Regional Symposium
Paris’s popularity has been reshaped and enhanced by artificial intelligence. In 2024, it was the second most visited city in the world, and, for better or worse, the ninth most visited city in 2025, according to Euromonitor International. Paris is also where 51³Ô¹Ï’s 2026 European Regional Symposium was held from February 27 to 28. We…
Read MoreWhy I Belong: Kelli C. McCarthy
When I transitioned from software development to independent education consulting, I brought skills in system design and strategic planning—but I quickly learned that helping teenagers navigate their futures requires more than analytical thinking. It demands listening, mentoring, creative problem-solving, and something I didn’t have yet: a professional community that could match my commitment to students.…
Read More51³Ô¹Ï Welcomes Stephanie Simpson as New CEO
The Independent Educational Consultants Association (51³Ô¹Ï) is pleased to announce that Stephanie Simpson assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer effective today, following a comprehensive nationwide search. Simpson was unanimously appointed by the Board of Directors from a field of exceptional candidates. “After a yearlong, nationwide search process, the 51³Ô¹Ï Board is thrilled to have…
Read MoreWhy I Belong: Andrea Goldman
A hot August day, dragging my suitcase from the parking lot up a flight of stairs and into an empty room with the basics—a bed frame and mattress, a small desk, and a dresser—I’m immediately thinking: Am I ready to share a bathroom with a bunch of strangers? Boy, this notebook is really heavy! Where’s…
Read MoreCultivating Safe, Open, and Thoughtful Academic Communities
Our academic communities thrive when they are spaces of learning, discovery, and open dialogue. As institutions committed to education and growth, colleges and universities are called to be places where all members of the community can engage thoughtfully, learn from one another, and flourish without fear of harm. Building communities that honor these principles is…
Read More51³Ô¹Ï Honors Hispanic-Serving Institutions During Hispanic Heritage Month
This National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15), 51³Ô¹Ï recognizes the vital role of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and the diverse 5.6 million students they educate across the United States. The 615 colleges and universities now designated as HSIs serve as powerful engines of opportunity and access. What Are Hispanic-Serving Institutions? Congress established the HSI designation…
Read MoreWhat to Know About Summer REU Programs—and Why Students Should Apply Early
Since 1987, the National Science Foundation has funded around 1,300 sites each year for summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs). These programs, located at research intensive institutions across the country, offer students hands-on experience in fields of study spanning STEM, engineering, and education. However, recent federal budget cuts have reduced capacity at these programs by…
Read MoreWhy I Belong: Donna Sakabu
I vividly recall a conversation with two dear friends at a Starbucks in Roseville, California on a cold Saturday morning in February 2011. After spending 16 years as a stay-at-home mother to my two sons, deeply involved in serving at their schools and in the community, I had been researching and contemplating my next career…
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