Megan Starling, director of admission at Rhodes College, received the William Starling Award for Mentoring at the annual conference of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) held March 30-31 in Atlanta, GA.
According to the SACAC site, William Starling (no relation), “worked hard for many years at Wake Forest University, where he set an example of integrity and trained himself to see and shape the best in people.”
Here is what a nominator had to say about Megan Starling: As a more seasoned professional, I am amazed at how this honoree always has a ready answer, takes time to ask her staff the right questions and commits to making each challenge a learning opportunity. Everyone on the team knows without question that they can come to her no matter what, and in this profession, which is so necessary! She consistently pushes us to put in maximum effort when it matters most, and she is sure to then celebrate us loudly when the goal is reached. As a leader, she invests an immense amount of energy to equip her team for success.
Starling earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rhodes in 2002 and went on to receive a master’s degree in conflict management from Kennesaw State University. In 2009, she joined the Rhodes admission staff, and SACAC presented her its Rising Star award in 2013.
Over the years, Starling has demonstrated dedication to serving the needs of students in the transition from high school to college. An expert on enrollment trends and the college admission process, she has held leadership roles in campus hospitality while also managing territory assignments and application/scholarship review processes. In her tenure at Rhodes, she has supervised the entire admission team including all student employees and Rhodes Student Associates.
Starling currently serves as chair of the Rhodes Staff Advisory Council, established in 2023.