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 Counselors

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

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.

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.