All About the Lumiere Excellence in Counseling Awards
For Independent Educational Consultants (IECs), credibility is central to building trust with families and demonstrating the value of expert guidance. Awards and recognitions can significantly strengthen an IEC’s professional profile, as they offer validation from respected institutions and increase the IEC’s visibility among high school students, parents, and schools. Awards also signal excellence, reliability, and dedication to student development, qualities that families increasingly look for when choosing a counselor.
Recognition can also make IECs stand out in a competitive landscape. Whether IECs are growing their practice, expanding their professional network, or trying to establish authority in a particular advising niche, external awards can help demonstrate their impact and leadership. Awards can highlight years of thoughtful mentorship, innovation in counseling practices, or a consistent commitment to equity and student empowerment. They also serve as powerful markers of professional growth, helping counselors connect with new clients, speak at conferences, and/or collaborate with academic programs.
The Lumiere Excellence in Counseling Awards are designed with these benefits in mind. They spotlight IECs who bring exceptional dedication, empathy, and creativity to their practice, those who elevate student experiences and inspire meaningful academic exploration. This blog provides a full breakdown of the award’s mission, categories, judging process, eligibility, and expert-backed tips to help IECs craft standout nominations.
What is the Award’s mission?
The Lumiere Excellence in Counseling Awards were created to recognize Independent Educational Consultants who make a transformative impact on students’ academic and personal development. At its core, the award celebrates IECs who go beyond traditional application guidance and instead foster confidence, curiosity, and meaningful engagement with learning. The broader Lumiere mission is to encourage student-led exploration, whether that’s through recognizing the value of counselors who help students, offering research opportunities and enrichment programs, or providing thoughtful mentorship that helps students find clarity in their interests and direction in their educational journeys.
To honor the diverse forms of excellence within the counseling community, the awards are divided into two categories:
1. Lifetime Counselor Award
This category recognises IECs with four or more years of experience who have demonstrated sustained leadership, long-term service to students, and a deep commitment to guiding young people with integrity and care. The eligible counselors within this category often help shape advising ecosystems, from mentoring younger counselors to developing impactful programs and elevating the standards of the counseling profession.
2. Emerging Counselor Award
Designed for IECs with less than four years of experience, this category highlights rising professionals who are bringing fresh ideas, creativity, and innovation to the field. These counselors often experiment with new advising approaches, integrate modern tools, and demonstrate early promise in their ability to inspire and support students.
Together, these two categories reflect Lumiere’s belief that excellence can be demonstrated through both decades of experience and meaningful early-career contributions. The mission of the awards is to amplify these stories and recognize the IECs who help students grow, discover their passions, and thrive.
Who can apply/be nominated for the Award?
The Lumiere Excellence in Counseling Awards are open to IECs from around the world, regardless of whether they work independently, as part of a consulting group, or within a school setting. The award is designed to recognize a broad spectrum of counselors who support high school students in meaningful, student-centered ways, whether through academic advising, enrichment guidance, or holistic mentorship. The goal is to highlight counselors who have made a tangible difference in a student’s academic journey, personal development, or access to opportunities. IECs at any stage of their career can be considered, and nominees are placed into the appropriate award category based on their years of experience.
Nominations may be self-submitted or submitted by students, parents, colleagues, or fellow IECs.
A strong nomination should include:
A clear explanation of the counselor’s impact, with specific examples of how they have supported student growth
Evidence of meaningful advising practices, such as demonstrated efforts in helping students pursue research, enrichment programs, or self-driven learning
Stories or anecdotes that demonstrate authenticity and depth in the counselor’s approach
Optional supporting materials, such as student testimonials, brief outcomes, or descriptions of innovative methods used in their practice
Once nominations are submitted, a shortlisting committee reviews all entries and selects finalists for interviews. Finalists are then evaluated by an independent judging panel based on leadership, student impact, innovation, community engagement, and storytelling.
What is the judging criteria?
The Lumiere Excellence in Counseling Awards use a structured, transparent evaluation process designed to highlight IECs who demonstrate exceptional commitment to student development. After nominations close, shortlisted candidates participate in interviews, allowing the selection committee to assess their philosophy, practices, and real-world impact. Finalists are then reviewed by an experienced judging panel using five core criteria.
1. Leadership
Judges look for counselors who contribute meaningfully to the counseling community—whether by mentoring peers, improving advising practices, or shaping supportive environments for students.
2. Student Impact
This category focuses on demonstrated outcomes. Judges consider how the counselor’s guidance has supported students’ academic growth, personal development, or access to meaningful opportunities.
3. Innovation
Counselors who bring creativity to their work—such as adopting new advising tools, designing unique student experiences, or adapting methods to better serve diverse learners—score highly here.
4. Community Engagement
Judges value IECs who strengthen networks, collaborate with organizations, or broaden opportunities for students within their communities.
5. Storytelling
A strong nomination comes with clear, well-supported examples that reflect the counselor’s philosophy, approach, and long-term dedication. Judges pay close attention to the clarity and authenticity of the counselor’s narrative.
Together, these criteria ensure that the award recognizes IECs who demonstrate both professional excellence and deep care for the student experience.
Who are the Awards’ judges?
The Lumiere Excellence in Counseling Awards are evaluated by an independent panel of highly experienced educators and counseling professionals. Each judge brings with them a deep understanding of student development, admissions landscapes, and ethical counseling practices. Their collective expertise ensures a fair, balanced review process.
Ramya Modukuri
Ramya Modukuri is an accomplished career and college counselor with over 20 years of experience across education, finance, and technology. An MBA graduate from NYU Stern and a faculty member at the IC3 Institute, she has helped build leading counseling programs in schools across India. She has received multiple industry recognitions, including the 2024 The Outreach Collective Outstanding Innovation in Counseling Practices Award and the 2020 IC3 Emerging Counselor of the Year Award. Ramya is dedicated to helping students discover their purpose and navigate their future pathways with confidence.
Gina Lee
Gina Lee is the founder of Gina B. Lee Consulting and a former school counselor with extensive experience guiding students toward best-fit college pathways. She received the IECA Making a Difference Award in 2023 for her exceptional volunteer service and contributions to the counseling community. Known for her student-centered approach, Gina emphasizes authenticity, personal growth, and purposeful decision-making in every student’s journey.
Michael Trevino
Michael Trevino is an educational consultant with more than two decades of leadership in admissions and higher education. He has served as the Director of Undergraduate Admissions for the University of California system and as a faculty member at the Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions. He now works with both Fiat Lux Educational Consulting and Big J Educational Consulting, advising students across undergraduate, graduate, and professional pathways. Michael is also actively engaged in community initiatives through the California LAW Pathways Advisory Board and the UC Berkeley Chicanx Latinx Alumni Association.
Together, these judges bring a comprehensive and thoughtful perspective to the table, ensuring that selected counselors truly exemplify excellence in student guidance and mentorship.
Fast Facts
Nominations opening date: November 11
Submission deadline: January 11
Shortlist announcement: February 1
Result announcement: February 11
Tips to ace your nomination
Use concrete, specific examples.
Highlight particular students you supported, moments of growth, or advising strategies that clearly illustrate your impact.Show measurable outcomes when possible.
Quantifiable improvements in students’ research participation, academic engagement, or admissions results strengthen your case.Highlight your counseling philosophy.
Judges want to understand the principles that guide your work and how you approach student-centred advising.Connect your story to Lumiere’s mission.
Emphasize how you support inquiry, enrichment, research, or deeper academic exploration—not just college application logistics.Demonstrate innovation.
Mention new tools, advising methods, or creative programs that you have built to meet student needs.Include short testimonials.
A brief quote from a student, parent, or colleague can add authenticity and emotional depth to your nomination.Emphasize equity and access.
If you have supported underserved students or increased access to opportunities, make sure to highlight it in your application.Keep your answers concise and well-organized.
Clear writing allows reviewers to understand your strengths and contributions quickly.Avoid generic claims!
Statements like “I care deeply about my students” are only powerful when backed by real examples or stories.Reflect on your growth.
Discuss how you have evolved as a counselor and how that growth has enhanced the student experience.
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