Meet the Counselors

Francis McIvor, Director of College Counseling and Career Advising, f.mcivor@acsbg.org

FRANCIS McIVOR, Director of College Counseling and Career Advising

Before joining ACS in the fall of 2024, Francis McIvor served as University Counselor and SAT Coordinator at the American School of Milan, Italy. Prior to this he was College and Career Counselor and CAS Coordinator at the American International School of Mozambique. He has also previously been High School Counselor at the International School of Florence in Italy and University Counselor at the British School Jakarta in Indonesia.

Francis started his education career in the UK, as a Classics teacher at Stonyhurst College, and then as Head of Classics and assistant boarding housemaster at West Buckland School. Subsequently, for 27 years he taught Classics, Philosophy, and Critical Thinking at Norwich School, where he also served as housemaster, senior housemaster, and senior tutor, the last of which involved responsibility for Oxbridge and US university applications. Francis is a member of Council of International Schools (CIS) and International Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC). He holds an MA in Classics and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Cambridge, as well as an MEd in International Counseling from Lehigh University and a Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA.

Brian Kilgallon

College/University Counselor
b.kilgallon@acsbg.org
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

  • University of Georgia

Michael Smith

College/University Counselor
m.smith@acsbg.org
  • Bachelor of Arts in Communication

  • University of Southern California

Kalina Hadzhikova '10

College/University Counselor
k.hadzhikova@acsbg.org
  • Master of Arts in History

  • Johns Hopkins University

  • Bachelor of Arts in History

  • Reed College

Katya Nenova-Benoit

College Counseling Administrative Assistant
k.benoit@acsbg.org
  • Bachelor of Intellectual Property and Business

  • University of National and World Economy

Colleen Puhr

Geography Teacher / College Counseling Assistant
c.puhr@acsbg.org
  • Master of Arts in International School Counseling

  • Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and History

  • Professional Qualifications: Wisconsin Teaching License for 6-12 grade History

img-0620