About Us
HECA: Advancing Excellence in Higher Education Consulting
Our Mission
Lead and engage educational consultants through professional development and high ethical standards in a collaborative community to navigate the higher education landscape.
Adopted in January 2026
Our Values
- Integrity: Building trust across all professional relationships to advance high ethical standards
- Member-Centered: Leadership driven by members, for members
- Camaraderie: Cultivating community through shared learning, member collaboration, and mentorship
Our Strategic Goals (2026-29)
- Prioritize the evolving needs of our membership to maximize their professional growth.
- Cultivate an inclusive environment that connects and strengthens the community.
- Be a trusted resource prioritizing ethical standards that builds on our collective expertise.
Leadership
Board of Directors 2025-26
Scott S. Garbini
Secretary
Garbini Education & Career Consulting, LLC
secretary@hecaonline.org
Staff
Volunteer Leadership
History of the Higher Education Consultants Association
More than 25 years ago, HECA was founded by a group of higher education consultants who recognized the need for standards and professional development for those in the growing field of higher education consulting. The new organization received support and assistance from college admissions officials who welcomed HECA’s commitment to advancing high ethical standards for the profession.
As its membership grew in numbers, HECA increased the depth and variety of the professional development programs offered to both experienced and newer consultants. HECA now hosts a conference each year to provide our members and other professionals in the higher education landscape, providing opportunities to stay current on trends in college admissions and educational consulting. The conference also gives members a chance to network with colleagues from across the globe.
Today, HECA has grown from its initial membership of 38 to more than 1,000 professional college admission consultants from every region of the United States and from abroad. Our members serve the college planning needs of more than 40,000 high school seniors each year, and many also actively assist low-income students through pro-bono advice and volunteer service to non-profit organizations and local schools.
Becoming an IEC
Are you considering the field of Independent Education Consulting?
Independent education consultants (IECs) assist students and their families in the college search and application process. Finding the right school and match between the college/university offerings and the student’s academic, social, and personal needs enriches a student’s life and plays a major role in their future.
The process of finding the right "fit" or "match" school is of vital importance to the IEC.
If you are considering a future in Independent Education Consulting, there are many programs available to prospective IECs. The college counseling programs recognized by HECA include:
- UC Irvine Program (HECA members receive a discount on all classes)
- UCLA Program (HECA members receive a discount on all classes)
- UC Berkeley Program
- UC Riverside Program
Learn more about the eligibility requirements for and benefits of HECA's membership levels
here or contact membership@hecaonline.org.
Standards & Ethics
The mission of the Higher Education Consultants Association is to foster a culture of support for the HECA community to develop personally, professionally, and ethically. In light of this mission, the HECA Board of Directors has approved a Statement of Standards and Ethics for HECA members.
Guided by the core values of ethical counsel, integrity, respect, and confidentiality,
HECA members pledge to act in accordance with the following Principles and Standards:
Did you know that HECA has a “Whistleblower Policy” that protects you when and if you report an ethical violation (or perceived violation)?
Learn more about HECA's process for reporting ethical matters.
HECA Advocacy
Mission
The Advocacy Committee exists to actualize HECA’s wider mission of “promoting equity and access for all students” within the changing landscape of admissions, especially following the 2023 race-conscious admissions SCOTUS decision. The committee aims to ensure access and equity for students who encounter systemic barriers to higher education and professional development–especially marginalized, underrepresented, rural, first-generation, undocumented, disabled, neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, and financially disadvantaged students.
Method
Towards this purpose, the committee interfaces with HECA members, the wider IEC community, and beyond to increase awareness of these issues and provide the necessary tools to tackle them.
Outcomes
- Educating individual HECA members: Keeping our IECs up-to-date about the reality of educational equity (especially about relevant developments at the state and federal levels) and equipping them with the correlating resources they need.
- Organizing policy outreach: Providing avenues for advocacy with legislators, national organizations, and local communities.
- Promoting HECA’s organizational integrity: Enacting HECA’s ethical code and mission statement by seeking accountability and inclusivity on an organizational level.
For more information, questions, or to become involved, please contact the Advocacy Committee at advocacy@hecaonline.org.
