Nick Howell is a member in good standing of this key industry association, which sets individual membership requirements demanding years of specialized experience, education and training, and firm commitment to continuing education. Nick is a member of the National Association of College Admission Counseling and subscribes to the Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission.
Nick Howell
About
Nick Howell’s approach to college counseling is defined by a rare "both sides of the desk" perspective. With over 20 years in public education, he spent the first 15 years of his career inside the admissions offices of four major public universities: Western Michigan, Texas State, the University of Houston, and the University of Texas at Austin.
Since moving to high school advising in 2019, he has used his admissions background to help students move past the noise of rankings and focus on best-fit. His theory is straightforward: a successful college experience is the result of intentional self-exploration and finding a campus that aligns with a student’s specific academic and personal needs. His team approach to counseling brings a unique model to college counseling.
Nick remains deeply involved in the professional admissions community to keep his advice current. He is the founder of the Austin Summer Counseling Institute, has served on the Executive Board of the Texas Association for College Admission Counseling (TACAC), and is an active member of the National Association of College Admission Counseling.
Career History
College and Career Counselor | Austin Area High School
Director of Recruitment | Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership (UH)
Director of Austin Area Recruitment | The University of Texas at Austin
Regional Assistant Director of Admissions | University of Houston
Admissions Officer | Texas State University & Western Michigan University
Education & Certification
M.Ed. from Angelo State University, Student Development & Leadership
BA from Western Michigan University, Organizational Communication
Leadership & Recognition
Founder & Chair: Austin Summer Counseling Institute
Executive Board Member: Texas Association for College Admission Counseling (TACAC)
Co-Chair: NACAC Austin National College Fair
Awarded: Counselor That Changes Lives (2021)
Awarded: Very Important Counselor (VIP), Texas A&M University (2024)
Awarded: Rising Star, TACAC (2014)
Awarded: Humanitarian of the Year (2022)