Summit Education Foundation Funds College Specialist at SHS

The following was provided by the Summit Education Foundation:

During the summer, Summit High School hired a new College Specialist, Alison Grill, following approval of a grant from the Summit Educational Foundation for the position. Her responsibilities in the Guidance and Counseling Department are two-fold. First, she will provide support to the counselors in their roles as college advisors and to parents and students in the form of workshops on the college admissions process. Secondly, she will “market” Summit High School to college admissions officers and develop relationships with a broad range of colleges.

Dr. John Schnedeker, supervisor of the Guidance and Counseling Department, shared his enthusiasm for the new staff addition saying, “Thanks to the enormous generosity of all those who support SEF, we are able to have an extra level of support by a highly competent professional whose mission is so focused. Alison is fabulous!”

Alison is excited to be part of the staff at SHS. She explains, “I was formerly a high school counselor for four years and always gravitated towards the college process. I took any opportunity to travel, attend professional development opportunities, and meet with college reps during my time there. My overarching mission here is to increase post-secondary opportunities for ALL students. My personal philosophy on college counseling is about finding the “best fit” for students. My position does not replace that of the high school counselor. Instead, it is a supplemental resource to enhance the college counseling process already ongoing in the department.

"One of the main tasks of my position is to promote SHS and its talented students to college admissions representatives, by meeting with reps that come to the high school as well as traveling to regional events and campuses. Forming meaningful relationships with representatives is important to help colleges and universities understand the caliber of the Summit student. 

"I want the Summit community to know that I am accessible. Please encourage students to attend workshops or sign up for individual meetings!”

To find out more about the Summit Educational Foundation, please visit www.sefnj.org.