With a new school year and college application season starting, ND welcomes two new college counselors to the staff with Mr. Karriem Beyah and Mr. Stephan Pilillian. With unique backgrounds and experience, they both add something special to ND’s every evolving counseling department.

Mr. Beyah was born in Chicago but spent most of his life in Las Vegas, Nevada. He moved to Los Angeles to work at Notre Dame and has enjoyed how much there is to do as well as the proximity to the beach. 

He has both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree both from University of Nevada, Reno, the state’s flagship public university.

Previously he worked at Coronado High School, a public school in Henderson, Nevada. He has stated it’s been a smooth transition from public to catholic with the ND staff and students being very welcoming.

He also has experience coaching volleyball which he believes helps him provide a unique perspective in the college recruiting process. He reminisced that at his last school, players “would always come into [his] office to ask about various college or career questions,” and through this he was able to notice patterns and apply it to other athletes he works with.

Overall, he is excited to be a part of the ND community and help students with student achievement and wellness.

Mr. Pilillian is a Greek and Armenian LA native who graduated from Bishop Alemany High School and got his Bachelor’s and counselor credentials from California Lutheran University. He previously worked at Crespi Carmelite High School as an academic counselor and head water polo coach. Alemany and Crespi both reacted positively to his move to ND with past coaches and coworkers congratulating him.

He has sighted ND’s “reputation of being an elite academic school with school spirit” and his desire to be a college counselor as reasons for the move.

With a life in catholic education, he has lamented how important it has been to him. He states, “Being in a catholic school is not just about having a crucifix in every classroom. However it is about educating the person as a whole; mind, body, and spirit.” 

Like Mr. Beyah, he also has a unique recruiting perspective with his coaching experience, especially with his experience with the Crespi CIF-winning Water Polo team.  He states that specifically he’s “familiar with the recruitment process and [is] able to help guide athletes through this process”. He can “help with showcasing the athlete’s skills by providing them with what college coaches are going to want to see in their highlights and film.” among other things. 

He would also like to mention his three cats, potato, tuna, and feta. (Writer’s Note: These names are incredible).

ND is excited to welcome both of the counselors to its staff and I for one am excited to see what they bring to the school community. Welcome to ND Mr. Beyah and Mr. Pilillian!