Mundelein High School’s College Counselor, Andrea Rusk, has recently been recognized as a 2020 Counselors That Change Lives award recipient. The award is presented on behalf of the Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) organization.

CTCL is made up of 45 member institutions. Representatives of these institutions may submit nominations annually and then the CTCL Board of Directors selects their Counselors That Change Lives from those nominations.

“My nominator is from Hope College. It was a complete surprise – I didn’t even know I was nominated!, Rusk said.

According to the organization, the Counselors That Change Lives Award recognizes those whose dedication to the college counseling profession reflects the CTCL ideals. By helping students frame their search beyond the ratings and rankings to find a college that provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life, these counselors change lives.

Rusk joined the MHS staff as a counselor in 2011 and has been in her role as college counselor since the fall of 2016.

Rusk’s work is recognized on the CTCL website:  “College representatives see her as a great colleague, always appreciative of their time and ready to share a story and a smile whether she sees them on their campus or they are visiting her at Mundelein High School. It’s not easy to make counseling hundreds of students feel personal and intimate, but Andrea makes it happen year after year.”

And to Rusk, Christine D. Bowman, the Chair of Colleges That Change Lives. said “Your tireless efforts do not go unrecognized and this program is our way of acknowledging all you do to help students and families in your daily work.”