Admissions Counselor Janet Barkdoll ’22 has received the James McKeever Promising Professional Award for 2025, making her the first Swarthmore employee to receive the award since 1993.

Given by the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC), the James McKeever Promising Professional Award recognizes admission counselors early in their careers for outstanding job performance and meaningful professional services beyond their institutions. Barkdoll was nominated by Taylor Miller, director of operations and technology for Admissions, and Mark Detterline, senior assistant dean of Admissions.

In their nomination letter, they described Barkdoll as one of “the most wholesome, kind-hearted, hardworking, intellectually curious, and passionate” people they know. 

Her duties in the Admissions Office include overseeing student bloggers and the alumni interview program (800+ interviews each cycle), as well as coordinating student hosts for the Discover Swarthmore fly-in programs and the College’s “Ask a Swattie” web page. She also travels to visit high schools and community-based organizations to recruit prospective students, reads applications, and helps to put on the Swatlight and Swatstruck programs for admitted students.

“Student workers gravitate to [Barkdoll] and view her as someone who will give them trusted, honest, and helpful advice,” said Miller and Detterline.  “When you speak with Janet, you know she’s listening, taking it all in, and imparting her knowledge only when it’s helpful. It is why she is known on campus for forging and retaining close relationships with younger staff, older professors, and administrators who span the professional spectrum.”

“I was surprised,” says Barkdoll, who had no idea she’d been nominated for the award. “I was also touched and honored that Taylor and Mark had thought of me, and that PACAC had sort of seen me in that way.”

“It was a nice and humbling moment,” she adds. “I felt really lucky to join the ranks of wonderful professionals who have gotten involved early in their careers.”