Next week, at our Annual Conference in Washington, DC, we will honor four members of our community with awards for excellence in enrollment management. 

It is our great honor to cast a spotlight on this group of stand-out professionals in our industry. As nominated by their peers, these four have made tremendous contributions to their schools and to the field of enrollment management.  

Thank you to all who submitted nominations this year. It’s important to recognize the hard work and achievements of our colleagues. 

Please join us in congratulating the 2019 winners!

William B. Bretnall Award

The Bretnall Award, named for distinguished educator and first association program director William Bretnall, is given each year to a leader and educator who has made significant contributions to the field of admission.

Congratulations to Jon Deveaux, Head of School at Fairfield Country Day School in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Jon is in his first year as Head of School at Fairfield Country Day School, but in his 30-plus years in independent schools (including 25 at Westminster School),  he’s worked in enrollment management, admissions, advising, teaching and coaching. A testament to his mentorship abilities is that six of Jon’s former colleagues have advanced to become Directors of Admission/Enrollment. Jon also previously served as an EMA board member.

Jon was nominated by four people, including Nancy Cleary, Director of Admission and Financial Aid at Loomis Chaffee School, who offered effusive praise. “Jon has spent his career working to better the entire industry. While he did incredible work for Westminster School, he also spent a great deal of time and energy helping to develop and encourage future leaders. Jon values everyone that he comes in contact with; he listens thoughtfully and openly whether discussing a student, an admission policy/practice or his golf swing. You all know more about his work with EMA than I do, but from the outside, Jon is a powerful supporter of EMA and its mission.”

Everett E. Gourley Award

The Gourley Award, named for former Director of Admission and Assistant Headmaster of the Asheville School Everett Gourley, is given each year to the educator whose interest in students and concern for colleagues is an inspiration to those who serve in admission.

Congratulations to Anne Behnke, Director of Admissions for the St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Massachusetts.

Anne is in her 16th year with St. Mark’s School and has worked in independent school admissions and enrollment since 1991. She is in her 10th year as an EMA Admission Training Institute faculty member and serves as an Admission Leadership Council mentor. Anne is also the coach of St. Mark’s Varsity girls tennis team and a past recipient of the "Hilton Award" given by the Western Boarding Schools Association for her dedication and leadership in the organization.

Anne was nominated by several current and former colleagues, including St. Mark’s Admissions Coordinator Laurie Kalapinski, who sang her praises. “Anne would be the optimal person to win this award. Based on the description, she embodies all of it. She is a true and tenured professional, well known in the Admission world. She is both passionate and compassionate at what she does both for applicant and applicant families as well as all of our current families. She also goes totally beyond her job description as an Admission Director. She is very involved in the lives of our students. Anyone who knows Anne, knows she is funny, kind, and very good at what she does.”

Rising Star Awards

Developed by the Admission Leadership Council and a sub-committee of EMA’s Board of Trustees, the Rising Star awards honor educators with 10 or fewer years of experience who have distinguished themselves and/or their schools in the field of enrollment management.

Congratulations to Kemi Nonez, Associate Director of Enrollment Management for Durham Academy in Durham, North Carolina.

Over 10 years, Kemi has helped streamline financial aid and lead the charge in promoting diversity at her own school and in the greater community. Kemi was a founding member of EMA’s People of Color Committee.  

Durham’s Director of Enrollment Management, Victoria Muradi, says, “Our work has changed considerably since Kemi started in the enrollment management office. Kemi began as office manager, was promoted to admissions counselor, and is now associate director. Her tours of each division are thorough, her tone thoughtful, and her follow-up consistent. She is always willing to put in the extra time to ensure that families leave with a favorable impression of Durham Academy.”

Congratulations to Doug Moon, Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Lakeside School in Seattle, Washington.

Doug has emerged as a true leader who cares deeply about his students, families, and colleagues, while fostering a sense of community among fellow admissions leaders in the region through his work with the Puget Sound Independent Schools Consortium. 

Polly Fredlund, Director of Enrollment Management and Communications at The Bush School, says, “Doug is an eager young professional, and is respected by his admissions colleagues in the Puget Sound. He is dedicated to the work, and is earnest, hardworking, empathetic, and, most importantly, kind. Doug started his work in admissions through Lakeside's LEEP program and believes in the power of access and ability of independent schools to not only change the trajectory of a student’s life, but an entire family. Doug is without a doubt a rising star in the admissions profession.”