W H O W E A R E

Our Team

Founded by educators with expertise in school and college counseling, higher education, and the sports industry.

Our Founders

Jeff Hiser

Founder

As a former school counselor and founding director of college counseling, Jeff brings 15+ years of experience in academic advising, college access, and student-athlete development. A former student-athlete and first-generation college graduate, his personal and professional experiences shape a strong commitment to equity, mentorship, and informed decision-making. Through Polaris Athlete, he partners with schools, families, and organizations to empower student-athletes to pursue opportunities that reflect who they are and who they aspire to become. Jeff is a member of NACAC, SACAC, & TACAC. 

Bill Carter

Co-founder

Founder of Student-Athlete Insights with 25 years of experience in athlete marketing. He co-founded Fuse, one of the industry’s leading sports agencies, working with brands such as Gatorade, Pepsi, Ford, and Gillette. Bill is currently on the faculty at Boston College and the University of Vermont, where he teaches NIL-focused courses. His data-driven perspective is informed by the NIL Research Poll, a monthly survey of 5,000 college student-athletes and 1,000 high school prospects.

Our Directors

Katie Robinson

Director of Recruiting Literacy & Student-Athlete Development

Katie is a former Division I student-athlete at the University of Texas, where she served as team captain and was a Big XII nominee for NCAA Female Athlete of the Year. She went on to become a Division I All-American and brings 17 years of collegiate coaching experience, including eight years as a head coach.

Her career spans leadership roles at Stanford, Northwestern, Tulane, Rutgers, and the University of Virginia, along with international experience as a Team USA coach at the World Championships and global competitions. Katie has built high-performing programs across the NCAA and Olympic levels, with a focus on leadership development, communication, and recruiting strategy.

As Director of Recruiting Literacy & Student-Athlete Development, Katie brings a deep understanding of how recruiting operates across levels, from talent identification to roster construction and long-term athlete development. She is known for building strong, cross-functional support systems and helping student-athletes navigate high-stakes environments with clarity and confidence.

Katie partners with student-athletes to better understand the recruiting process, develop as leaders, and align their athletic experience with long-term academic and career success.

Our Counselors

Curtis Johnson

Curtis brings extensive experience in college counseling and admissions, with leadership roles at Pace Academy, Woodberry Forest School, and Memphis University School. He has advised diverse cohorts of students and families while developing innovative programming, including virtual counseling strategies and curriculum design. He began his career in admissions at Sewanee: The University of the South, where he advanced to Senior Assistant Director, leading recruitment and multicultural initiatives. Curtis remains actively engaged in the field through advisory board service with the University of Tennessee and College of Charleston, and as a member of SACAC, SAIS, and ACCIS. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Independent School Leadership at Columbia University’s Teachers College.

Tim Cushing

Tim serves as Dean of College Counseling at Brewster Academy and will become Director of College Counseling at Holderness School in Fall 2026. Prior to his work in counseling, he spent seven years in college admissions at Stonehill, Babson, and Wheaton College, where he also served as an athletic liaison. Tim’s experience on both sides of the admissions process provides student-athletes with a strategic advantage as they navigate college and recruiting decisions. He has also coached at both the collegiate and high school levels, including roles with tennis programs at Wheaton and Brewster, and as an assistant coach for Brewster’s nationally recognized EYBL basketball program. He works closely with students to align academic, athletic, and long-term goals.

Emily Stevenson

20+ years in college admissions and counseling, including roles at Rutgers, University of San Diego, La Jolla Country Day School, and charter schools. She is currently an Independent College Counselor and serves on the WACAC Executive Board. A former coach and 2024–2025 California Cross Country Coach of the Year, Emily combines admissions expertise with a student-centered, holistic approach. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in Counseling and is a parent of three.

Francisco Estrada

College access leader with over 15 years of experience supporting students at the intersection of athletics and academics. An Ivy League alumnus and former dual-sport collegiate athlete, he is committed to expanding access to complex postsecondary pathways through equity-focused work. Francisco partners with institutions across the U.S. and globally and is the author of the forthcoming Camino a la Universidad: The Latino Family Guide to College (Johns Hopkins University Press)

Gabriel Hall

Gabriel Hall brings 15+ years of admissions and college counseling experience to Polaris, including service as a former Admissions Officer and Director of College and Career Readiness in Virginia. A Vanderbilt and NYU graduate, they have helped 178 students gain admission to Top-50 colleges since 2022 and specialize in STEM, business, architecture, pre-med, and competitive academic pathways. A former Division I student-athlete at Vanderbilt and National Strength & Conditioning All-American, they continue their athletic involvement as an NCAA men’s basketball referee, pairing insider admissions expertise with a student-athlete perspective.

Daniel Monahan

Over 25 years of experience in college admissions and counseling. A former Division I football player at the College of the Holy Cross, he has served as Dean of Admission and Director of College Counseling at multiple institutions. He is currently Associate Director of College Counseling at Cushing Academy and has held leadership roles with NEACAC, SACAC, and NACAC, including being named NEACAC Professional of the Year. He is a Certified Educational Planner with advanced training in nonprofit leadership and college counseling.

Ian Harkness

Seasoned college counseling leader with over a decade as Director of College Counseling and extensive experience in admissions. A former admissions officer at Gettysburg College and Elmira College, Ian brings insider expertise to both college admission and athletic recruitment. He has held national and statewide leadership roles, including past president of PACAC and service with NACAC’s Government Relations Committee, and partners closely with students and families to guide every stage of the college process with clarity and confidence.

Jessica Burke

Associate Director of College Counseling at Bishop Manogue Catholic High School in Reno, where she has served as the school’s sole college counselor for five years. A first-generation college graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Jessica brings a strong teaching foundation and a student-centered approach to guiding students—including NCAA-bound athletes—through the college and recruitment process. She serves on the WACAC Executive Board as Chair of the Nevada Interests Committee and is deeply committed to access, advocacy, and personalized college planning.

Shannon Barrilleaux

Director of College Counseling at Metairie Park Country Day School and a Licensed Professional Counselor with a background in adolescent mental health. She brings a student-centered, equity-focused approach to college advising, athletic recruitment, and access initiatives. An active leader in the field, Shannon serves on the SACAC Board of Directors, has served on NACAC’s Admissions Practices Committee, and regularly presents at national and regional conferences.

Nina Hind

Nina earned her undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and began her career in admissions at Salve Regina University, recruiting students across the East Coast. She later transitioned to college counseling at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, where she has spent the past four years supporting students from around the world. Nina takes a student-centered approach, helping students find best-fit colleges where they can thrive. She stays current through campus visits and conferences such as NACAC and NEACAC, and enjoys traveling, teaching yoga, and spending time outdoors with her dog, Ollie. Born in Switzerland and having studied abroad in Hong Kong, she brings a global perspective to her work.

Cara Lemaster

Cara serves as Director of College Counseling at Southwest Christian School and brings over a decade of experience guiding students through the college process. She began her career in high school admissions before transitioning into college counseling, where she has supported students in exploring a wide range of post-secondary pathways.
Cara has worked extensively with student-athletes from both public and private school backgrounds, beginning as early as freshman year. She partners with students and families to navigate the intersection of academics, athletics, and long-term fit, helping them make thoughtful and informed decisions about their future.

Trisha Johnson

Trisha brings 20+ years of experience supporting students across global, multicultural communities, guiding pathways to higher education through academic advising, wellbeing, career exploration, and athletic recruitment preparation. She currently serves as a Comprehensive Counselor at Atlanta International School, where she works closely with pre-professional student-athletes, including those from Atlanta United FC Academy and Mouratoglou Tennis Academy. Trisha has led counseling teams internationally, mentored college counselors as a Cluster Lead with GEMS Education, and served as a UCLA Admissions Reader. She is an active member of NACAC, IACAC, and ISCA, and previously served on the University of Toronto Advisory Board. She partners with students and families to bring clarity and structure to complex academic and athletic pathways.

FAQs

  • We provide personalized support to help student athletes identify the colleges that best align with their academic, athletic, and career goals. Services include one-on-one guidance, team workshops, and expert support for every part of the college application process.

  • Yes! We assist with every component of the application process—essays, interviews, resumes, and more—ensuring students present themselves as confident, well-prepared candidates.

  • Absolutely—everyone is welcome at Polaris! We work with a diverse range of students and families. While our specialty is working with student athletes pursuing college athletics, our services are designed to benefit any student navigating the college admissions journey. We’re always happy to work with siblings, friends, and referrals.

  • We create comprehensive 4-year academic plans (and 2+4 year plans for middle schoolers) to ensure coursework aligns with NCAA requirements, college admissions standards, and career goals.

  • Absolutely. Our advising guides families through course selection, helping student athletes make informed decisions that support both eligibility and academic interests.

  • Yes. We have extensive experience supporting athletes with EID through testing, documentation, and identifying colleges with appropriate accommodations and support services.

  • We offer grade-by-grade guidance to help students meet NCAA initial-eligibility requirements and navigate recruitment with clarity and confidence.

  • Yes, we walk families through the registration process and help manage key deadlines and documentation.

  • POLARIS student athletes engage in career counseling, resume building, networking, job shadowing, internships, and more. We help students connect their strengths to real-world opportunities.

  • Our career services programming includes NIL education—teaching athletes how to pursue opportunities while staying compliant with NCAA rules and state regulations.

  • Yes! We offer dynamic, informative workshops for teams, coaches, and families. Our presentations cover college admissions, recruitment, mental health, and more.

  • While we are not licensed therapists, our background in Professional School Counseling allows us to support student wellness and connect families with trusted mental health resources.