Westmont Admissions Counselor Honored

From Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA:

Westmont Admissions Counselor Honored
August 12th, 2009

The College Board honored Olympia Tuliaupupu, Westmont admission counselor and liaison to diversity outreach, with the Ned Tibby Award at the board’s 29th Annual Summer Institute on College Admissions and School Relations in San Diego, Calif. Each year the board awards an outstanding member of the Summer Institute class for their commitment to the aspirations and values of admissions work and high potential for leadership.

Tuliaupupu, who graduated from Westmont in 2006, was admissions coordinator for Campus Accelerated Program for Adults at University of La Verne before she accepted the position at Westmont last January. At Westmont she has also worked as conference operations manager and gift planning assistant.

“As a Samoan-American I am especially interested in encouraging Polynesians and other underrepresented students to consider the benefits of a college education,” says Tuliaupupu.

“Olympia Tuliaupupu combines a profound commitment to others with a level of effective leadership skills beyond her years,” says Philip Ballinger, director of admissions at University of Washington and dean of the faculty for the Summer Institute. “The college admissions counseling profession possesses a gem in Olympia.”

“Olympia is a woman of passion and substance,” says Deren Finks, dean of admission emeritus at Harvey Mudd College and dean emeritus of faculty for the Summer Institute. “She displays enthusiasm and boundless energy. I am proud she has chosen a career in higher education. Her talents will serve students well.”

Tuliaupupu, 25, will attend the College Board’s Western Regional Forum in La Jolla, Calif., Feb. 27-28, 2010, where she will conduct a session as part of the formal conference program.

The award, first given in 1986 by the Guidance and Admission Council of the Western Regional Assembly of the College Board, recognizes the many contributions of the late Ned Tibby. Tibby was director of the College Board’s Denver Office, associate director of the Western Regional Office, Educational Testing Service-Berkeley associate and a high school counselor. He was known as an estimable professional with an abundant sense of humor and a kind, generous spirit. A mentor to many in the enrollment management field, Tibby had a special interest in identifying and training newly hired admissions personnel.

The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board is composed of more than 5,600 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations