About
On tour, 2024
Randi C. Heathman is a distinguished educational consultant boasting nearly two decades of experience in higher education, coupled with a lifelong dedication to equestrian sports.
With a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Communication Studies, Heathman's expertise was refined during her tenure as the Senior Assistant Director of Admission at Albion College in the early 2000s. There, she was instrumental in application reviews, admission committee deliberations, coordinating campus visits, and guiding families through the scholarship and financial aid awarding process, simultaneously contributing to Albion's equestrian program as a recruiter, mentor, and as advisor to the equestrian club.
Notably, Heathman played a pivotal role in establishing Albion's riding program in 2004, an initiative stemming from her undergraduate honors thesis, "Enhancing Education through Equitation: A Promotional Plan for an Equestrian Facility at Albion College." Her extensive experience in the admissions office endowed her with invaluable insights into the college application process, particularly within the context of intercollegiate riding, knowledge that culminated in her recent stint as director of the Held Equestrian Center at Albion from 2021 to 2023.
Heathman's practice is enriched by her extensive network and experiences, including connections with enrollment officers, coaches, and support personnel nationwide. As the sole independent educational consultant possessing expertise in both enrollment and the management of intercollegiate equestrian programs, she upholds the highest ethical and professional standards, holding memberships in the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).
Her commitment to continuous learning and engagement within both the equestrian and educational communities is evident through her active participation in numerous college campuses visits, workshops, and recruiting events annually.
A seasoned equestrian, Heathman is a competing member of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) where her accomplishments include earning a GAIG/USDF Regional Championship in 2009 with her Dutch Warmblood gelding, Ricochet, and achieving USDF bronze and silver medals. Currently, she competes aboard Kashmir H, whom she has brought along from a foal and developed under the watchful eye of longtime mentor Maryal Barnett.
Heathman's contributions to the equine educational sphere extend to her role as a recognized speaker, author of Horses for Courses: The Definitive Guidebook for the Prospective College Equestrian, and a respected voice in equestrian media. Her insights are frequently sought by peers and she remains an influential figure in equestrian-focused educational consulting. To that end, she has personally visited nearly 150 unique college and university campuses, reflecting her commitment to providing nuanced, informed guidance to her students and their families.
Discover more about Heathman's experience by catching her in one of the expert sessions with Ride IQ or on a 2024 episode of The Plaidcast, where she offers valuable advice on the college search process for equestrian students.
With a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Communication Studies, Heathman's expertise was refined during her tenure as the Senior Assistant Director of Admission at Albion College in the early 2000s. There, she was instrumental in application reviews, admission committee deliberations, coordinating campus visits, and guiding families through the scholarship and financial aid awarding process, simultaneously contributing to Albion's equestrian program as a recruiter, mentor, and as advisor to the equestrian club.
Notably, Heathman played a pivotal role in establishing Albion's riding program in 2004, an initiative stemming from her undergraduate honors thesis, "Enhancing Education through Equitation: A Promotional Plan for an Equestrian Facility at Albion College." Her extensive experience in the admissions office endowed her with invaluable insights into the college application process, particularly within the context of intercollegiate riding, knowledge that culminated in her recent stint as director of the Held Equestrian Center at Albion from 2021 to 2023.
Heathman's practice is enriched by her extensive network and experiences, including connections with enrollment officers, coaches, and support personnel nationwide. As the sole independent educational consultant possessing expertise in both enrollment and the management of intercollegiate equestrian programs, she upholds the highest ethical and professional standards, holding memberships in the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).
Her commitment to continuous learning and engagement within both the equestrian and educational communities is evident through her active participation in numerous college campuses visits, workshops, and recruiting events annually.
A seasoned equestrian, Heathman is a competing member of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) where her accomplishments include earning a GAIG/USDF Regional Championship in 2009 with her Dutch Warmblood gelding, Ricochet, and achieving USDF bronze and silver medals. Currently, she competes aboard Kashmir H, whom she has brought along from a foal and developed under the watchful eye of longtime mentor Maryal Barnett.
Heathman's contributions to the equine educational sphere extend to her role as a recognized speaker, author of Horses for Courses: The Definitive Guidebook for the Prospective College Equestrian, and a respected voice in equestrian media. Her insights are frequently sought by peers and she remains an influential figure in equestrian-focused educational consulting. To that end, she has personally visited nearly 150 unique college and university campuses, reflecting her commitment to providing nuanced, informed guidance to her students and their families.
Discover more about Heathman's experience by catching her in one of the expert sessions with Ride IQ or on a 2024 episode of The Plaidcast, where she offers valuable advice on the college search process for equestrian students.
Photo credit: Albion College
Affiliate Chris Mitchell is currently director and head coach of the equestrian program at Albion College. Mitchell formerly served as head coach of the Randolph College WildCats in Lynchburg, VA for seven years and, prior to that, a 13-year tenure at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.
Mitchell’s time at Randolph College saw three National Qualifiers, including one National Champion and, while at Cornell, he led many members to the regional and zone championships. His teams claimed 27 collegiate horse show team crowns, including four Ivy League titles. Mitchell led his team to a brand new level during the fall of 2011, guiding the group to six invitational titles in eight meets, already matching a school record for victories in a season (six show titles in 2003-04). Mitchell’s teams won a pair of shows (Skidmore, Hartwick) en route to a regional reserve champion showing in 2009-10. His 2010-11 team won its first-ever regular season regional championship after claiming four team blue ribbons during the season.
Prior to Cornell, Mitchell was an instructor and trainer at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Scarborough, N.Y., and was the barn manager and trainer for Lion Hill Farm in Easton, CT. During that time, he also served as an equestrian instructor for Sacred Heart University and was an assistant coach and instructor at Pace University. He coached one of his riders to a national championship in walk-trot equitation at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association competition and had other riders place among the top 10 nationally in the novice flat, novice fences, intermediate fences and open levels.
Mitchell was a member of the NCAA steering committee for equestrian and is also a member of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), and a board member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). Most recently, he served as Director of Jumper Programs for the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association. Mitchell's role with The Equestrian College Advisor is in assessing riders' preparedness for college-level equestrian competition. Riders who opt into this service receive a full written report from Mitchell upon submission of requested riding materials and information (including video).
Mitchell’s time at Randolph College saw three National Qualifiers, including one National Champion and, while at Cornell, he led many members to the regional and zone championships. His teams claimed 27 collegiate horse show team crowns, including four Ivy League titles. Mitchell led his team to a brand new level during the fall of 2011, guiding the group to six invitational titles in eight meets, already matching a school record for victories in a season (six show titles in 2003-04). Mitchell’s teams won a pair of shows (Skidmore, Hartwick) en route to a regional reserve champion showing in 2009-10. His 2010-11 team won its first-ever regular season regional championship after claiming four team blue ribbons during the season.
Prior to Cornell, Mitchell was an instructor and trainer at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Scarborough, N.Y., and was the barn manager and trainer for Lion Hill Farm in Easton, CT. During that time, he also served as an equestrian instructor for Sacred Heart University and was an assistant coach and instructor at Pace University. He coached one of his riders to a national championship in walk-trot equitation at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association competition and had other riders place among the top 10 nationally in the novice flat, novice fences, intermediate fences and open levels.
Mitchell was a member of the NCAA steering committee for equestrian and is also a member of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), and a board member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). Most recently, he served as Director of Jumper Programs for the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association. Mitchell's role with The Equestrian College Advisor is in assessing riders' preparedness for college-level equestrian competition. Riders who opt into this service receive a full written report from Mitchell upon submission of requested riding materials and information (including video).
