IECA: More than 1,000 Strong. Why Size Does Matter.
by Mark Sklarow, Executive Director, IECA
In the last few weeks the Independent Educational Consultants Association‘s total active membership passed the 1,000 mark. Such significant growth in the last several years is more remarkable when two additional data points are added. First is IECA’s tough vetting process: even as the field has quickly grown, IECA requires evidence of experience, knowledge, training, ethics, and much more. Yet, increasingly those who wish to work in this profession seek to submit themselves to this screening. Second is the awareness that nationally, across all fields and professions, from law to medicine, national associations are in dramatic decline. That IECA can buck this trend and show great success is a testament to the professionals who join, our leadership that ensures the Board and committees are focused on member needs, and an outstanding, full-time professional staff that spends every day working to serve the membership and inform the public.
But growing beyond 1,000 members has a very real impact—with great advantages—for every Independent Educational Consultant. Even though it may be more of a psychological threshold, its effects are real.
1. Scores of national companies now seek out IECA both to promote new products and services and, increasingly, to develop new products designed to meet the unique needs of independent educational consultants (IECs). When businesses look at the admissions process as a marketplace, they know the number of school counselors is shrinking, the number of college admission representatives is stable, and the only area of real growth is among IECs. When a field is growing, others want to jump on board.
2. The national, and increasingly international, media take us as an association much more seriously, with reporters contacting us much more frequently. In the past, the media took little notice of IECs except for portraying the profession as elitist and repeating the same few examples of IECs charging huge fees. Today, coverage is more widespread and provides greater balance. Such coverage is shifting: no longer are we included simply when stories are ABOUT independent educational consulting, but rather we are asked for opinions on almost all admissions issues. In short, our growing prominence means we are seen as experts.
3. IECA can do more, and serve our member IECs better, with larger numbers. Our growth to over 1,000 members, combined with membership retention of about 99%, has allowed us to sufficiently staff, and in turn, introduce new initiatives. Last year we introduced a comprehensive IECA Education Center, featuring whitepapers and studies by universities and researchers (another sign of growing recognition). We were able to introduce monthly webinars—at no cost (thanks to sponsors)—with more than 2,500 views of educational sessions already this year. Coming up soon: a Professional Member Retreat, video-based communications with members and the public, an enhanced searchable member database, and more.
4. Increased interest among admission directors, particularly in college advising. Over the past few years we have seen a dramatic uptick in the desire of colleges to include IECA members in their outreach efforts. For some, this means treating IECs as they would school-based counselors. Yet for many others it has gone beyond, as universities establish liaisons to IECA and our members, and have launched efforts unique to IEC outreach. As the number of IECA members has grown, colleges increasingly see IECA events—such as our conferences and NACAC events—as “must attend” events on their calendars. No surprise that new research from Inside Higher Ed showed that colleges now see IECs as among the BEST sources of advice for high school students, above the perceived value of public school counselors.
5. The growth in IECA membership has also led to a surge of interest and support from other significant partners in admission. We recently announced a joint planning with NATSAP to run five “Link ‘n Learn” programs in the coming year. Many NACAC departments consult with us on a number of issues, and vice-versa; we are exploring international opportunities with TABS; offering SSATB training at IECA conferences; and working with strategic partners like UNIGO, College Countdown, CollegeSolved, Hobsons, CEO, Go See Campus, and many more—with even more significant partners under consideration. And beyond admission partners, national groups like Girl Scouts of America are including IECA in their public outreach.
As we pass this 1,000-member threshold, we are keenly aware of our commitment to students and families, and our mission to represent the very best and most ethical independent educational consultants. As we look to the future, it is with the knowledge that we can serve members in new and exciting ways, enhancing opportunities, growing our educational offerings, expanding our media footprint, and assisting members to serve families.
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Tagged: changes in consulting practices, educational consulting, ethics, higher education, IECA Education Center, IECA members, IECA membership, IECs, independent educational consultants, media, NACAC, NATSAP
Congratulations to Mark on this important milestone. While the achievement comes from the work of us all in creating a vibrant professional community, Mark has been the one who has shown us the way and spearheaded all our efforts. He is our sparkplug, and long may he remain so.
In my view, IECA must keep growing. We want all our publics – including institutions we work with and families who engage our services – to expect as a matter of course that any consultant, whether a member or not, will exhibit the professional competence and ethical standards IECA champions. That kind of influence requires a critical mass. Hence, as the profession grows, so must we. And I have no doubt that we will.
Dodge,
I thank you for the very kind words. I accept the compliment, sharing our progress and our successes with Board Members, Committee Chairs, staff, STI volunteers, conference presenters and mostly, the 1,000 professionals who work to meet high standards and expectations that have made IECA the leader.
Mark
Dear Mark,
Our success is a reflection of your dedication to the organization and to your unique skills as Executive Director. Without your vision, our volunteer leadership over the years would not have been able to get here. You know us and know how to get the most out of us. How to implement our ideas and to do so with the overall vision for the organization firmly in view. Thank you to you, an educator of educators!
Charlotte,
Thanks to you as well for the kind words. You know better than almost anyone how much we rely on volunteers, peer support and member commitment. My efforts flow easily from my deeply held belief in the work our members do. 1,000 is a special milestone but more than anything is just a reminder of what IECA can accomplish, working together.
Yes, it takes a village, but the master developer, facilitator, implementer and planner, as well as Peter Pan of our precious Association, all resides in one man, supported by a loyal and dedicated staff. He is the ultimate one who rallies the volunteers to give their time to make the IECA great. He is the one who encourages us always to reach beyond our grasp to become better, to learn more and to offer greater service to our constituents and our students. He sets the standard for true professionalism and high integrity for all. Thank you, Mark.
I must concur with Charlotte, Alan and Dodge, all of whom have been great partners in this profession and mentors to me, that we’re all in this together and support each other. But from the moment I was in Mark’s Yellow Team at the Summer Training Institute in 2005 (Yo Mark!) and I kept saying to him “I’m not sure I’m cut out for this profession?” – he has been so encouraging to me. His leadership of IECA, his strong stance that he projects to the world and his representation of all of us to the press, to the Admissions world and to the general public, have advanced the reputation and credibility of our profession in ways that we could never have imagined. This is his legacy and the gift of the entire staff at headquarters in Virginia…you know who you are? And we are very grateful to all of you….Sue, Janice, Sarah, and countless others!
And I am still here, almost 8 years later and loving it, with a smile,
Carolyn Mulligan