Highlights in IECA History

1974
  • Seven educational counselors meet in the Boston home of Robert Parsons.
  • SSAT, NAIS, ERB provide early support.
1976
  • The Independent Educational Counselors Association incorporates with 30 charter members.
  • The association conducts its first “public” event at NAIS Conference.
  • Membership dues are set at $50.
1977
  • David Edgar serves as IECA’s first president and soon director.
  • Membership dues double to $100 and begin a $100/year increase through 1982.
1979
  • The association changes its name to the Independent Educational Consultants Association.
1980
  • The Associate membership category is created.
1982
  • The first IECA Conference is held at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire.
  • Bill Pierce is hired as a part-time "assistant to the president," later executive director.
  • Membership dues reach $600 and remain unchanged for 32 years.
1983
  • The tri-state area holds its first Regional IECA Meeting in New York.
1987
  • Membership reaches 100.
1991
  • An Ad Hoc Committee on Organization is formed to restructure IECA for the future.
1993
  • A half-day Principles and Practices Training Institute is introduced.
1994
  • IECA hires its first full-time executive director, Mark Sklarow.
  • The IECA office moves from Cape Cod to the Washington, DC suburbs.
1996
  • IECA establishes a Foundation to serve the needs of others and the profession.
1997
  • Membership reaches 200.
1999
  • Insights is introduced as the IECA newsletter.
2001
  • Membership reaches 300.
2003
  • IECA Principles and Practices Training grows to become the five-day Summer Training Institute.
  • The IECA Conference shifts from Toronto to Orlando 10 days out due to the SARS outbreak.
2004
  • Membership reaches 400.
2005
  • IECA holds its first pre-NACAC training for professionals transitioning from school-based counseling to private practice.
  • IECA Conference attendance surpasses 1,000 for the first time.
  • The Student membership category is introduced.
2006
  • The Summer Training Institute is held on both coasts.
  • Membership surpasses 500.
  • IECA staff grows to five full-time professional employees.
  • IECA establishes an ongoing partnership with NACAC to hold the pre-NACAC Conference Transitioning to Private Practice Workshop.
2007
  • Membership surpasses 600.
2011
  • IECA staff grows to nine employees.
  • The Graduate School specialty and International subspecialty are introduced.
2012
  • A new Education Center launches with webinars beginning as free monthly member service.
  • Membership reaches 1,000.
  • Social media initiative is launched.
  • Regional and Affinity Groups are formalized.
2013
  • An inaugural Professional Members Winter Retreat is held.
  • IECA partners with NATSAP on Link ‘n Learn.
  • SSATB announces test sites/membership open only to IECA members.
2014
  • The National Board for Certified Counselors names IECA as a Continuing Education Provider.
2015
  • The first College Symposium is held.
2016
  • Membership surpasses 1,500.
2017
  • IECA partners with School Connections.
2018
  • IECA joins the Golden Thread Therapeutic Research Project.
2019
  • IECA launches the Member Network platform (replacing the TalkList).
  • Membership surpasses 2,000.
2020
  • COVID-19 hits and IECA transitions to online learning within weeks.
  • The Summer Training Institute is held virtually and participation grows to nearly 200 attendees.
  • Two IECA Conferences are held virtually.
  • Virtual college and program tours are held weekly.
2021
  • Regional Groups grow to 40+ locations.
  • Insights becomes a quarterly publication.
  • Recurring online roundtables are established.
  • A volunteer recognition event is held.
  • New Service and Making a Difference awards are established.
2022
  • IECA sets a new strategic plan.
  • IECA has active government relations in California, Oregon, and Illinois.
  • Membership reaches 2,500.
2023
  • IECA holds its first DC Advocacy Day.
  • IECA holds its first European University Symposium, in Italy.
2024
  • IECA participates in second DC Advocacy Day.
  • A second European University Symposium is held, this time in Spain.
  • The association transitions to one Annual Conference per year.