The Lumiere Excellence in Counseling Award

Celebrating those who bring light to the student journey

Nomination Form

Eligibility Guidelines

Award Categories

Judging Panel

Home: Welcome

About The Awards

Nominations Open

November 3, 2025

Submission Deadline

December 19, 2025

Shortlist Announcement

January 5, 2026

Result Announcement

February 1, 2026

At Lumiere, we believe that great counseling transforms not just college applications, but lives. Independent Education Consultants (IECs) guide students through moments of uncertainty, discovery, and growth, helping them find confidence in their voice and direction in their path.

The Lumiere Excellence in Counseling Awards celebrate the remarkable work of IECs who go above and beyond to mentor, innovate, and make an impact. These awards honor professionals who exemplify the highest standards of guidance, empathy, and commitment to student success.

Two awards will be presented this year:
Lifetime Counselor Award: recognizing experienced IECs who have demonstrated sustained excellence, leadership, and mentorship in their practice.

Emerging Counselor Award: spotlighting early-career IECs who are bringing fresh ideas, creativity, and impact to the field.

2025 Awards

Awards

Lifetime Counselor Award

$500 Professional Development Grant

Lumiere social media, blog, and newsletter spotlight

Full scholarship for 1 student (worth $3,190) to Lumiere's Individual Research Program

Emerging Counselor Award

Lumiere social media,

blog, and newsletter spotlight

Full scholarship for 1 student (worth $3,190) to Lumiere's Individual Research Program

Nomination Form

Judging Panel

judges

Ramya Modukuri

Ramya Modukuri is an experienced career and college counselor with over 20 years of experience in education, finance, and technology. An MBA graduate from NYU Stern and a member of the International Association for College Admissions Counseling (IACAC), she has helped establish world-class counseling practices in schools across India. A faculty member at the IC3 institute and co-founder of Guiding Teens, Ramya is passionate about empowering students to discover their calling and navigate their future pathways with confidence. She has also been awarded the "2024 Outstanding Innovation in Counseling Practices" award by The Outreach Collective and the "2020 Emerging Counselor of the Year" award by the IC3 conference.

Gina Lee

Gina is the founder of Gina B. Lee Consulting and an experienced independent educational consultant who began as a former school counselor. She has guided hundreds of students to discover their best-fit colleges. A 2023 recipient of IECA's Making a Difference Award, Gina is recognized for her exemplary volunteer service and dedication to supporting the counseling community. Through her work, she emphasizes authenticity, purpose, and personal growth in every student's journey.

Guidelines & Eligibility

General Guidelines

Who Can Apply?

The Lumiere Excellence in Counseling Awards are open to Independent Education Consultants (IECs) from around the world who are committed to helping students grow, explore, and achieve their goals.

We welcome applications from IECs at all stages of their careers — whether you’ve been mentoring students for decades or are just beginning your journey in the field.

Award Categories:

Lifetime Counselor Award: Open to IECs with 5+ years of experience in independent counseling who have demonstrated long-term excellence, mentorship, and leadership within the field.
Emerging Counselor Award: Open to IECs with less than 5 years of experience who are bringing fresh perspectives, creativity, and innovation to their practice.

Nomination Process:

IECs may nominate themselves or be nominated by peers, students, or parents.
Nominators will be asked to share why the nominee exemplifies excellence in counseling and how they have made an impact on their students or community.
A shortlisting committee will review all submissions and select finalists.
Finalists’ nominations will be reviewed by a panel of judges comprising experienced educators, researchers, and counseling professionals.

Fees:

There are no fees required to enter. Participation in the Lumiere Excellence in Counseling Awards is completely free.

How to Apply?

Complete the short nomination form by December 13! Shortlisted candidates will be selected to interview, after which finalists will be reviewed by an independent panel of experienced counselors.

Nominate Now

Judging Criteria

All nominations will be reviewed by January 5. Shortlisted candidates will then be interviewed in January to highlight their contributions and approach. Finalists will be evaluated by an independent and highly experienced judging panel, with decisions being released in early February.

The process emphasizes fairness, transparency, and authentic storytelling. Strong nominations demonstrate meaningful student impact, leadership in the counseling community, innovation in practice, and a commitment to growth. Submissions that lack concrete examples or clear evidence of impact are less likely to succeed.