The College Counseling Office is pleased to present this year’s College Night program, open to all interested NYA families but intentionally designed to launch the Class of 2026 into a successful college search and application process.
While we wish this great group of admissions professionals were able to join us in person at NYA, the hour-long College Night program will be online this year. NYA juniors and their parents/guardians will receive a Teams link to join the January 16th evening program early in January. Other interested students, parents, and guardians can request a Teams link by emailing the CCO at [email protected].
Juniors and their families are expected to make all efforts to attend – our planning has taken athletics, music, and theater practices into consideration. All other NYA families are welcome as well. A link to the program recording will be available later for those with scheduling conflicts.
Audience members may submit questions for the panelists through the chat feature during the program or by emailing [email protected] in advance.
We are excited to welcome such a well-known and highly respected group of admissions professionals to NYA’s College Night program this year and hope to have a great turnout.
Questions? Please email Director of College Counseling, Gretchen Bergill, at [email protected]

Panelists

Deb Johns
Assistant Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions, University of Notre Dame
Deb Johns is a longtime and respected leader within higher education, having devoted the past 40 years to advancing the missions of several institutions and more
than 30 years focused on admissions.
Prior to assuming her current leadership position at the University of Notre Dame, Deb spent 15 years with the Yale University Office of Admissions.
Deb earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Michael’s College and a Master of Education from the University of Vermont. Prior to her tenure at Yale, she served as the senior associate director of admissions at Fairfield University.
She has also served as the assistant dean of admissions at Marquette University, along with a number of admissions and alumni relations positions at the University of Vermont, Saint Michael’s College and Connecticut College.
Deb is well respected in higher education, frequently serving in leadership positions and on national and regional committees for the National Association for College Admission Counseling, New England Association for College Admission Counseling, and College Horizons.

Carey Thompson
Vice President for Enrollment and Educational Services, Gettysburg College
Carey Thompson has 40+ years of experience in college admissions, enrollment, communications, career services, and student financial aid. Prior to accepting his current role at Gettysburg College, Carey served as Vice President for Enrollment and Communications and Dean of Admission for Rhodes College. His professional experience also includes roles include overseeing admissions, career services, and student financial planning at Centre College, and leading the admissions team at his alma mater, Furman University.
Throughout his career, Carey has gained a deep understanding of and appreciation for the admissions process, including serving on the Board of Directors and as President of the Board of Directors for the Common Application. Thompson is recognized broadly for his transformative initiatives at three liberal arts colleges, his deep commitment to diversity and accessibility, and his ability to successfully steer institutional enrollment strategies in the face of dramatic change.
 

Jennifer Delahunty
Interim Vice Provost of Strategic Enrollment Management, University of San Francisco
A graduate of Carleton College and the University of Arizona, Jennifer Delahunty is a noted writer, editor, and enrollment and admissions consultant. Her 2006 New York Times Opinion piece, To All the Girls I’ve Rejected, sparked an intense national conversation about college admission and still resonates today. And her 2010 book, I’m Going to College Not You!
is a great collection of essays covering topics such as how parents can best support their college applicant children, and how to keep peace in the family all through junior and senior year.
After a thirteen-year tenure as Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Kenyon College, Jennifer has served in a variety of leadership and consulting roles in higher education including time at Willamette University, Lewis & Clark College, IAU Institute for American Universities in France, and most recently as Interim Vice Provost at the University of San Francisco.