For Jamon Pulliam, college counseling is more than a profession—it’s a calling. With more than a decade of experience and a passion for empowering students, he was recently promoted to Senior Associate Director of College Counseling at Viewpoint School after earning his doctorate in educational leadership from UCLA.

“I always knew grad school was in my future,” said Pulliam. “But my love for education and college counseling really began during my time at Morehouse College, where I was inspired by the deep connections I saw between students and counselors."

This experience motivated Pulliam to pursue a career focused on supporting students. After working in admissions at Morehouse College, he transitioned into college counseling, starting at Drew School in San Francisco before joining the team at Viewpoint.

“During my first year at Drew, I had a lot to learn about college counseling and the UC system,” Pulliam shared. “But what I learned very quickly was that this work is really about building relationships.”

Now, in his sixth year at Viewpoint, those relationships remain at the core of his work.

“I’ve been able to do a lot here at Viewpoint—teaching Human Development, co-teaching English, and creating new initiatives in college counseling,” Pulliam said.

“He’s incredibly charismatic, and both students and families love him,” said Rhody Davis, Director of College Counseling at Viewpoint. “He balances honest, helpful information with supportive encouragement, and his ability to connect with students has brought many into our office who might not have sought support otherwise.”

Pulliam’s desire to deepen his impact on students and enhance his leadership skills is what inspired him to pursue his doctorate in educational leadership at UCLA.

“My dissertation focused on how knowledgeable independent school college counselors are about Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs),” Pulliam explained. “Having worked at and graduated from an HBCU, I wanted to increase visibility for these schools.”

He plans to leverage this experience at Viewpoint by expanding college counseling initiatives and providing students with more opportunities to explore a diverse range of colleges as they navigate their post-secondary paths.

“Viewpoint and Rhody have been incredibly supportive of the HBCU tour I spearheaded in 2022," Pulliam added. "We also began taking students to the Black College Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center that same year. These efforts have been instrumental in increasing access to HBCUs for our students.”

In his new role as Senior Associate Director of College Counseling, Pulliam will also work closely with new counselors, guiding and mentoring them as they navigate their first years at Viewpoint.

“Jamon is incredibly knowledgeable and supportive of the other counselors. He’s been a vital part of our team,” said Davis. “I’m excited to work with him on data generation, which will help us better inform families about the admissions process. He’s a valued colleague, well-loved by everyone at the school.”

“No day ever looks the same,” Pulliam shared. “But the first thing that comes to mind when I think about my role is supporting students. One day I might be helping a Senior with their personal statement, and the next I’m helping a Freshman through a friendship issue. Ultimately, I’m here to support them in any way they need.”

Congratulations, Dr. Pulliam, on this exciting new chapter. Your unwavering dedication to guiding and supporting our students ensures they are World Ready as they navigate their journey through Viewpoint, college, and beyond.

Viewpoint's rising Seniors took another big step on their paths to extraordinary futures at the School’s 20th annual College Counseling Summer Institute (CCSI), held on campus August 13-15. Often described as a "red carpet college apps premiere event," this three-day boot camp equips students with the tools and tenacity needed to successfully tackle the college application process.

“Seniors leave feeling well-prepared and accomplished, having already checked off key tasks that give them a solid start as they head into their final year of Upper School,” shared Jamon Pulliam, Senior Associate Director of College Counseling.

The program began with an in-depth exploration of the Common Application, guiding students through this crucial part of the college admissions process. They also initiated the University of California (UC) application, which operates separately from the Common App.

“Students often underestimate just how many different application portals they’ll need to navigate,” Pulliam noted. “A student applying to both UCLA and Purdue, for example, will need to manage entirely different systems. This is why we dedicate time to helping them understand and organize these requirements, so they don’t get overwhelmed.”

The second day of the institute was dedicated to essay writing, giving students the unique opportunity to receive one-on-one feedback from college admission officers. These experts, representing schools including the University of Chicago, Barnard College, and New York University (NYU), helped students refine their personal statements and supplemental essays, offering insights to strengthen their applications. On the final day of CCSI, students focused on refining these essays and college lists, helping students manage their workload as they prepare for the months ahead.

“The one-on-one time with admission officers gave students not only direct feedback but also valuable connections that can be beneficial throughout the application process,” added Pulliam.

For the first time in his tenure at Viewpoint, Pulliam led the planning and execution of this year’s CCSI.

“Being able to go behind the curtain and coordinate all the details really gave me a 30,000-foot view of what we’re offering to Seniors and how we can evolve the process year-over-year,” he shared.

As the school year progresses, Viewpoint’s college counselors will continue to work closely with the Class of 2025, guiding them through each step of the application process. From one-on-one meetings to group workshops, our counselors will provide ongoing support to ensure each student stays on track and feels confident as they navigate their path to becoming World Ready graduates.

A world where academics meets athletics is what these Seniors are ready for this fall. As part of a beloved and annual tradition at Viewpoint, four athletes were recognized for their peak performance and path to college sports on Tuesday, May 21.

Ololade Adeduro - Robert Morris University, Football (not pictured)

Austin Basch - New York University, Baseball

Jude Hollings - University of Redlands, Track & Field

Sam Lazenby - Cal Lutheran University, Tennis

Our college-bound athletes were joined by students, faculty, coaches, and their families at the Love of Learning Wall, as they received awards and ceremoniously “signed” to their respective schools. Mark McKee, Head of School, Patrick Moyal, Director of Athletics, and Rhody Davis, Director of College Counseling, each delivered congratulatory remarks and words of wisdom for these Seniors. Tanaz Nourian, Associate Director of College Counseling, announced each Senior and facilitated their signing to commemorate the moment.

"Most participants in this event have dreamed of reaching this level for a long time, likely since before high school,” said Patrick Moyal, Viewpoint’s Athletic Director. “Aspiring to be a college athlete requires immense dedication and hard work, not only from the athletes themselves but also from those around them. This event is the culmination of all that effort and sacrifice, resulting in these remarkable achievements."

We applaud these students for their passion and perseverance, and wish them luck in their college journey.

From the lively streets of New York City and the charming history of Boston, to the captivating landscapes of Paris and the dynamic culture of China, many of our students traveled across the country and to other countries during Spring Break. These diverse experiences not only broadened their perspectives but also reaffirmed our dedication to nurturing world-ready graduates equipped to thrive in an interconnected world.

During the 10-day trip to France, 28 Upper School students, accompanied by four teachers and chaperones, immersed themselves in French culture and history. They explored cities in the northwest part of France, including Normandy, Brittany, and the Loire Valley. Highlights included visits to historic sites such as Mont-Saint-Michel, Omaha Beach, and the Colville Cemetery, deepening their understanding of global history. Engaging in experiences like line dancing and cooking classes not only improved their French language skills but also created lasting memories and friendships.

"During the trip, students were making a huge effort to speak as much French as possible, not just in shops and restaurants, but also with me,” said Roxanne Lécrivain, Middle and Upper School French Teacher. “Students were speaking with perfect pronunciation and answering all my questions, even those who had never taken French before."

Meanwhile, as part of an ongoing relationship between Viewpoint and Jiaxiang School, a group of five teachers and students journeyed 4,982 miles to Chengdu, China, for an international cultural exchange organized by the Sichuan Association for the Promotion of Educational Excellence (SCAPEE). They joined teachers and students from Jiaxiang, Macau, and Thailand for various activities, including a debate on artificial intelligence, cooking classes, sightseeing in Chengdu, and a visit to the Panda Museum. The visit also provided our students with the opportunity to stay with local families, allowing them to experience Chinese culture firsthand.

"You can't overestimate the value of getting out of your cultural comfort zone, meeting new people, and realizing how vast the world is,” shared Robert Bryan, Associate Head of School. “Whether it's traveling to any part of the world, the benefits of experiencing different cultures, making new friends, and learning from each other are invaluable."

Closer to home, a group of 19 Juniors participated in the East Coast College Tour, an annual trip where students visit up to 15 colleges over the course of a week. Led by our College Counseling Department, students venture from Boston to D.C., visiting a range of institutions. Colleges on the itinerary include small liberal arts colleges, large public universities, and prestigious institutions like Yale and George Washington University.

"It's a very valuable program. Not a lot of high schools offer programs like this,” shared Manny Mohareb, Senior Associate Director of College Counseling. “If I had done a trip like this, it would have opened up my eyes to a whole kind of opportunity that I didn't even know existed."

These experiences go beyond the classroom, enabling our students to immerse themselves in different cultures, make new friends, and broaden their understanding of the world. Viewpoint is committed to providing these enriching opportunities, shaping our students into citizens prepared to make a positive impact globally.