Meet our Team
The Idaho College and Career Advisors was started in 2024 by three professionals who noticed there was a lack of training and support for those helping Idaho’s youth pursue postsecondary options. After a launch party in September, the paperwork was filed to become a non-profit with the purpose of developing, supporting, and advocating for the access professionals across the state.
Mallory Essman
President and Founder
Mallory Essman is the College and Career Counselor for Skyview High School and the College and Career Coordinator for the Nampa School District.
She has been in the world of college and career for 11 years. Mallory is a dedicated advocate for equity. Mallory was selected as an NCAN Gates Fellow in 2023 (one of only 15 in the nation). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication with an emphasis in journalism and a Master of Science in School Counseling from Walden University. Notably, Mallory served as the PNACAC Government Relations Chair and co-founded the Idaho State FAFSA Summit. Her core values are hope and equity. She strives to leave everyone more hopeful when they walk out of her office. She is excited to take these skills and passions to advocate for professional development in the world of college and career readiness and foster collaboration among Idaho’s educators, business leaders, and government representatives.
Jenni Kimball
Vice President, Treasurer, and Founder
Jenni Kimball is the College & Career Counselor at Timberline High School. She has been advising students and families on all matters college and career for 15 years.
Jenni left the high school setting briefly to oversee and improve Idaho initiatives as the College & Career Advising Program Manager for the State Board of Education. Throughout her career, Jenni has fought to simplify the college admission process for students, families, and practitioners throughout Idaho. She holds a BA in Secondary Education from the University of Idaho and a Masters in Counseling from Boise State University. Jenni has been honored to receive the IACRAO (Idaho Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) Counselor of the Year award twice and the Higher Education Advocate award for her dedication to the profession.
Megan Simila
Executive Director and Founder
Megan, an Idaho native, started her career in education as a science teacher. She eventually found her way into the TRIO Upward Bound program and was the Nampa High School Specialist for ten years.
While working for TRIO, she learned about the gaps in postsecondary access around our state and the lack of training opportunities for professionals. She is excited to use her talents and experiences with TRIO’s professional associations at the state, regional, and national levels to help build ICCA for all postsecondary access professionals in Idaho. She currently holds a BA in Biology Education from Northwest Nazarene University, a MPhil in Counseling from Cambridge University, and a PhD in Public Policy and Administration from Boise State University. Her full time job is the Executive Director of Youth Apprenticeship at Idaho Business for Education and in her free time you can find her adventuring around the world with family and friends.
Mallory Essman
President and Founder
Mallory Essman is the College and Career Counselor for Skyview High School and the College and Career Coordinator for the Nampa School District.
She has been in the world of college and career for 11 years. Mallory is a dedicated advocate for equity. Mallory was selected as an NCAN Gates Fellow in 2023 (one of only 15 in the nation). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication with an emphasis in journalism and a Master of Science in School Counseling from Walden University. Notably, Mallory served as the PNACAC Government Relations Chair and co-founded the Idaho State FAFSA Summit. Her core values are hope and equity. She strives to leave everyone more hopeful when they walk out of her office. She is excited to take these skills and passions to advocate for professional development in the world of college and career readiness and foster collaboration among Idaho’s educators, business leaders, and government representatives.
Jenni Kimball
Vice President, Treasurer, and Founder
Jenni Kimball is the College & Career Counselor at Timberline High School. She has been advising students and families on all matters college and career for 15 years.
Jenni left the high school setting briefly to oversee and improve Idaho initiatives as the College & Career Advising Program Manager for the State Board of Education. Throughout her career, Jenni has fought to simplify the college admission process for students, families, and practitioners throughout Idaho. She holds a BA in Secondary Education from the University of Idaho and a Masters in Counseling from Boise State University. Jenni has been honored to receive the IACRAO (Idaho Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) Counselor of the Year award twice and the Higher Education Advocate award for her dedication to the profession.
Megan Simila
Executive Director and Founder
Megan, an Idaho native, started her career in education as a science teacher. She eventually found her way into the TRIO Upward Bound program and was the Nampa High School Specialist for ten years..
While working for TRIO, she learned about the gaps in postsecondary access around our state and the lack of training opportunities for professionals. She is excited to use her talents and experiences with TRIO’s professional associations at the state, regional, and national levels to help build ICCA for all postsecondary access professionals in Idaho. She currently holds a BA in Biology Education from Northwest Nazarene University, a MPhil in Counseling from Cambridge University, and a PhD in Public Policy and Administration from Boise State University. Her full time job is the Executive Director of Youth Apprenticeship at Idaho Business for Education and in her free time you can find her adventuring around the world with family and friends.