NACAC CEO's New Book Guides Admissions Deans Amid Trump Scrutiny
Angel Pérez, a seasoned admissions dean and the current CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), has penned a new book, 'The Hottest Seat on Campus'. The book, based on interviews with numerous admissions leaders, aims to guide those navigating the role of an admissions dean. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has been scrutinizing colleges' admissions practices, two years after the Supreme Court's ruling on racial considerations.
Pérez, who considers himself an 'accidental admissions dean', shares his experiences and insights in his book. He advises his younger self to enjoy the early stages of his career in admissions and not rush to climb the ranks too swiftly. He believes that admissions deans are the chief storytellers of their institutions, and effective storytelling leads to better outcomes for the admissions office.
The Trump administration has been actively monitoring colleges' adherence to the Supreme Court's 2021 decision on racial considerations in admissions. They have demanded detailed data on the racial makeup of admitted students and have cast suspicions on so-called proxies for race in the admissions process. Some universities have been required to reform their admissions practices.
NACAC, under Pérez's leadership, has launched the NEXT program to help admissions counselors explore growth paths in their profession. They plan to launch a dean's fellowship in 2026 to support new deans. Pérez also aspires to create a NACAC fellowship for student tour guides and interviewers to learn about the admissions profession and secure their first jobs.
Pérez hopes that 'The Hottest Seat on Campus' will provide valuable advice for admissions deans and illuminate the evolving landscape of higher education. His book draws from his experiences, emphasizing the importance of communication and building diverse teams to navigate crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2024 FAFSA rollout debacle. As the Trump administration continues to scrutinize admissions practices, colleges must ensure they are in compliance with the Supreme Court's ruling.
