Ocean City High Counselor Wins Yale Educator Award

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City High School guidance counselor Mary Louise McDowell-Campo has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Yale Educator Award, a recognition from the Yale University Office of Undergraduate Admissions for teachers and counselors who help students achieve at a high level.

It is the second time McDowell-Campo has received the honor after also being recognized in 2020.

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According to the school district, the Yale award honors educators from around the world who inspire and support students. This year, 307 nominees from 39 states and 20 countries were considered, and 50 teachers and 17 counselors were selected.

McDowell-Campo is an Ocean City resident, an Ocean City High School Class of 1990 graduate and a 32-year veteran in education. She said her own K-12 experience in the district helped shape her decision to enter the profession.

"I am humbled and honored to be recognized among some truly incredible individuals," said McDowell-Campo. "To be recognized twice among so many wonderful and giving educators is amazing. I feel being a school counselor is by far the best job in the profession. I enjoy the sense of fulfillment that comes from helping students, and they bring a lot of laughter and fun to the day."

McDowell-Campo also credited former Ocean City High principal Dr. Matthew Jamison and former director of guidance and pupil services Erik Ortolf for helping her succeed as a counselor.

"I am grateful for their confidence in me and for the guidance and support they provided along the way," said McDowell-Campo. "Without their mentorship, I truly would not be at the level I am at today."

Students entering Yale's Class of 2030 were invited to nominate educators who had a strong impact on their lives. Joseph Heng of Ocean City, an electrical engineering and computer science major at Yale and a 2026 Ocean City High graduate, nominated McDowell-Campo. The district said Heng was not formally assigned to her in high school, but she became a mentor who helped guide him through the college process.

"During my senior year, I walked into the guidance office, and Mrs. McDowell-Campo completely took me under her wing," said Heng. "She began reaching out via email, checking in on me, and offering guidance through the stressful senior year process. To be honest, this award doesn't even give her enough credit. It is amazing that an institution like Yale is recognizing her, but extraordinary educators like her deserve far more credit than a single award can provide."

Principal Dr. Wendy O'Neal said McDowell-Campo works to build relationships with students, including by greeting them outside her office each morning.

"McDowell-Campo is a veteran counselor who is extremely knowledgeable and well-versed, so she shared her expertise with Joe (Heng) throughout the year forging a relationship with him," said O'Neal. "I know she is honored to have been recognized by Joe specifically, but McDowell-Campo is this giving with all our students and our Ocean City community. As an Ocean City resident and alum, she is committed to Ocean City and its excellence."