After serving as a college counselor, advisor, athletic liaison, and AP testing manager at Germantown Academy for six years, Mr. Daniel Evans, Senior Associate Director of College Counseling, will be leaving GA at the end of the 2025-2026 school year to pursue a position at Youth Soccer Curriculum Academy as the Director of College Counseling and Alumni Development.
Throughout his college counseling career at GA, Mr. Evans has worked closely with students throughout Upper School, helping them navigate an often stressful college application process.
“We start meeting with students in their sophomore year,” Mr. Evans said. “Their searches accelerate a lot in junior year, and we help students plan campus visits, start the Common App, secure teacher recommendations, and develop standardized testing plans.”
In addition to working closely with students throughout the application process, Mr. Evans also made a lasting impact on his colleagues in the GA community.
“I got to see him as a colleague and an expert in the field,” Mr. Joaquim Hamilton, Associate Director of College Counseling, said. “I see him in that way of being very thoughtful, very thorough, super prepared [and] just very well informed of what’s going on in the industry.”
As an athletic liaison, Mr. Evans has shared that one of his most memorable moments was serving as an honorary assistant coach for the football team during the week of GA-PC Day in 2022.
“I got to go to the practices, [and] one night after practice, I was able to address the team,” Mr. Evans said. “When I was little, I played football, so it was fun to be out there. GA won, so I like to think I’m undefeated as a football coach here.”
Additionally, he reflects back to fall of 2023 during the girls’ volleyball season as an important memory from GA.
“Watching my daughter and her teammates win the Inter-Ac League and state championship in volleyball was really meaningful,” Mr. Evans said. “We’re just all so proud of the team, [and how] they really came together.”
Throughout his journey at GA, Mr. Evans recalls different connections and bonds he has developed over the years.
“I’ve talked about art with Mr. Love, Mr. Wynia and Ms. Ritz. They have such a great understanding of the creative process. I’ve talked about gardening with Mrs. Pizzino, [and] live music with Mr. O’Hern,” Mr. Evans said. “Those kinds of connections have been what I’ll take away the most.”
Moving forward, Mr. Evans looks forward to working at YSC Academy, a seventh through 12th school for elite male soccer players. Since YSC is a newer school, Mr. Evans hopes to bring more structure and guidance to the college counseling process.
As he prepares to leave GA, Mr. Evans shares advice and encouragement for the next person who steps into the college counseling office.
“I think there’s a lot of support around the Upper School and the GA community to help new hires understand the place–you’re not on your own,” Mr. Evans said. “Venture out beyond just college counseling and make connections. Students and families [are] appreciative of what this office can provide them with in that regard.”
While Mr. Evans looks ahead to his new role at YSC Academy, the relationships and memories he built with both the college counseling office and the wider GA community will continue to leave a lasting impression.