College Counselor Ben Ascher is Opening Doors for Marian Girls

Ben Ascher never planned to become a college admissions counselor at Marian—but then again, nothing about Ben’s journey has been predictable.

Before he was sitting across from high school seniors, guiding them through essays and scholarship applications, Ascher had his focus on college baseball. Unfortunately, an injury closed that chapter for Ascher, leading him to enlist in the Navy, where he spent six years navigating the challenges and growth that would ultimately prepare him for his next big steps.

When he left the military, Ascher enrolled at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, earning a degree and a deep desire to help others find their way. He landed his first role in admissions at Midland University and quickly found that helping students, especially those who felt a little lost, became his mission. That mission would carry him to Niagara University in Buffalo, New York, where he became the director of enrollment. Eventually, this led him back to Omaha for a job at The College of Saint Mary. In the fall of 2021, he became Marian’s newest college admissions counselor. Marian was an opportunity that Ben knew was full of potential.

It clearly was, as today, Ascher meets with 25 to 30 students a week, giving each girl individualized attention and guidance. He introduced the school’s first college fair. He hosts classes that teach students everything from how to structure an application to what admissions officers are tired of reading. Of course, it’s more than checklists and deadlines, though. For Ascher, the work is personal. He delves deeply into financial aid, helping families navigate complex forms and fine print. He talks to students not just about where they can go, but where they want to go, and what they want out of their next step.

Ascher described himself as an average student who didn’t even consider all the options he had. He said he’d picked his college for baseball and didn’t look beyond that when starting on his journey. Now, from the other side of the desk, Ascher defines success in his career as “...making sure every student has…every option available to them.” At a college prep school where college attendance rates sit at 98%- 100%, Ascher recognizes that not every girl will go to college, and he is prepared to provide them every opportunity outside the college track as well. Beginning freshman year, Ascher ensures all students know all the options open to them after high school.

Ascher is a steady hand in an unfamiliar and sometimes stressful process, and his commitment to students is paying off in multiple ways. “Ben has had a lasting impact on our students' college selection. He helps students to unlock their opportunities and fosters their personal growth along the way,” said Principal Susie Spethman Sullivan '80. As a result, Marian’s rate of attendance and scholarships earned remain high as do the future opportunities for Marian girls.

Recently, Ben completed a master’s degree in sports administration and leadership. In addition to his college counseling responsibilities, he joined Marian Softball as an assistant coach this fall season.

*An earlier version of this article, published in the Marian Magazine, inaccurately described Ben Ascher as Marian’s first college counselor. Since its founding in 1955, Marian has been deeply committed to academic excellence and college preparation—a mission advanced by many talented teachers and counselors who have guided our students over the years. Their dedication has helped Marian graduates attend top colleges, universities and service academies across the country and around the world. The article has been updated to reflect this correction.