Gary M. Kelsey (left)

I was appointed associate vice president for enrollment management at Binghamton University, State University of New York in October 1999. I’m also the current president of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), a 6,500 member association of secondary counselors, admissions and financial aid professionals, enrollment managers, secondary and post-secondary institutions and other agencies involved in the high school-to-college transition.

My strategy for success and message to students are the same -- become educated and get involved. That’s what I did, and it works. I began my career as an assistant director of admissions at my alma mater, Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., before moving on to work in minority recruitment at the University of Pennsylvania. From there, I served as assistant dean of student services at Coppin State College in Baltimore and associate director for admissions and guidance services for the College Board in Philadelphia, Pa.

{With the realization that} furthering my education would also help me advance in my career, I earned a master’s in education degree in student development and counseling from Howard University in Washington, D.C. With my master’s degree in hand, I became director of the division of minority admissions and community affairs at Pennsylvania State University before moving on to the University of Colorado at Boulder and, now, to Binghamton.

I have always involved myself in professional association activities. Prior to my election as president of NACAC, I served as its vice president for human relations, and also contributed at the local and regional level for many years. This involvement has brought me recognition in my field and provided opportunities to see the country and travel abroad.

Others can do the same. There is a tremendous need for people of color in this field and a tremendous number of people who need role models. The door is very open to people of color in this field. As I look to fill open positions on NACAC committees, I currently cannot find enough qualified people of color to fill positions. I know that everyone can contribute, including people of color.

They just have to come in and get involved.