NYSACAC Spring 2014 Newsletter

SPRING 2014

NEWSLETTER

Message from the president

By: Timothy Lee, Ph.D. President, NYSACAC Director of Undergraduate Admissions University at Albany

It’s been quite a winter for all of us in New York State.

As I write this message, many of us on the college side are in the midst of putting the finishing touches on our fall classes. At the same time, we are beginning the spring travel season and reaching out to current juniors that are looking to enroll in college in the fall of 2015.

With just a few months left before the NYSACAC Conference, the Executive Board is also beginning its transition. Over the next few weeks and months, many From the President 1-2 of our spring events will be taking place. This includes our elections for next year’s board, the professional President-E lect 2,15 development forums, the NYSACAC college fairs, as Making the Most of the...

4 well as finalizing the plans for what will be a wonderful week at Adelphi University. During this week together Upcoming R egional Fairs 5 in June, the board will officially transition by saying 7 Professional Development goodbye to some members, while welcoming others.

While the people around the table may change, CBO S potlight 8-9 our process assures continuity and planned succession L egislative A dvocacy Day 10 through the organization’s by-laws. In addition, at our February meeting, we approved the final version of our College Access: “The... 12-14 2014-2017 Strategic Plan, a document that will guide Camp College 14 our actions through the next three years. Much of the plan focuses on solidifying the many things we already A B rief Journal: ....

17-18 do while seeking opportunities for improvement, in order to maintain the long-term success and growth of A dmissions Practices 19 NYSACAC. The full plan can be found on our website.

In this issue:

continued on page 2

College R eadiness

Transformation

of

20,22

E ducation 23

Message from the President continued

Here is an outline of its main goals: • Goal 1: NYSACAC will continue to grow and to diversify its membership • Goal 2: NYSACAC will continuously evaluate and strengthen its current programs while exploring new opportunities to meet the needs of our membership • Goal 3: NYSACAC will continue to practice fiduciary responsibility in its everyday and long-term operations • Goal 4: NYSACAC will continue to develop its marketing opportunities and brand recognition • Goal 5: The Executive Board will promote the mission and vision of the organization, while planning for the long-term health and growth of NYSACAC • Goal 6. NYSACAC will be a source of expertise to college and high school professionals in all areas of college admission counseling As I enter the last few months as president, I am excited about what lies ahead for NYSACAC. Our Board is committed to serving the membership and our profession with strong programming, advocacy, and outreach. I look forward to celebrating our successes, and toasting the future with all of you this spring at Adelphi.

Message from the president-Elect By: Jane S. Mathias

President-Elect NYSACAC, Director of Guidance, Nardin Academy The NACAC model of a three-year leadership cycle has been enlightening and exciting for me. As president-elect of NYSACAC, I have loved working with and learning from our president, Tim Lee, and past-president, Dave Coates. They are coaches, advisors, and listeners, as I felt that my opinion mattered from the very beginning. However, the most significant part of the president-elect year is planning the annual conference, and that has been a huge part of the past nine months. Our gestation period is a full year, and for the host site it is even longer. It is about having a vision, assembling a team, working in close collaboration, and waiting to see the many pieces come together. Our 2014 NYSACAC Conference is at Adelphi University in Garden City, a train-ride away from Manhattan. It is easily accessible by plane, car, and train to the many constituencies of the college process: high school counselors, college counselors, CBO’s, community college counselors, transfer counselors, independent counselors, exhibitors and vendors as well as school administrators.

Your participation means access to this population and the thousands of students we represent for colleges beyond our state borders, and the dialogue we have will be enriched by the diversity of those in attendance. Our theme is The Transformation of Education, continued on page 15 2

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Making the Most of a Counselor Tour By: Lisa Sohmer

Director of College Counseling, Garden School

As a counselor, your knowledge of individual campuses and programs is an important resource in working with students. Information is available from any number of sources -- college websites, guidebooks, conferences, reports from recent alumni -- but visiting the campus yourself will provide a special and valuable kind of insight: your own.

Colleges are eager to educate you about their campuses, programs and students, so counselor visits will always involve touring the campus, hearing presentations and meeting current students. Take notes, take pictures and gather all the information that you can but don’t make the mistake of thinking that this is a one-way street. Your time on the tour is also a chance to speak with the admissions team and explain your school, your students and what makes them special. Talking -- in addition to listening -- will bring your high school profile to life.

Your time spent visiting campuses is a natural compliment to the time you spend within the school building.

Start with local colleges and attend workshops and meetings that include a campus tour. If there’s a college nearby, call the admissions office and request a tour of the campus and a meeting with your high school’s contact there. Your students flock to the college, but why? Ask them, and then go see for yourself.

When colleges seek you out by hosting tours and inviting you to participate, take them up on their offers. Group tours have the added benefit of being outstanding opportunities to network with colleagues in the counseling community while learning about colleges.

If the invitations aren’t coming, go get them. Attend the NACAC College Fair in your area, speak with the representatives you meet there and give them your business card.

Introduce yourself to your colleagues at the NYSACAC conference at Adelphi University in June. Let them know that you would be interested in visiting campus and ask them to keep you in mind as they plan future counselor tours.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn about colleges by seeing the campuses yourself. Make contacts, make friends and make the most of the counselor tour experience.

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Upcoming NYSACAC Regional College Fairs

NYSACAC is pleased to sponsor two regional college fairs to be hosted by Ithaca College on Wednesday, March 19th from 6:30-8:30pm and SUNY Fredonia on Wednesday, April 9th from 6:30-8:30pm. The fairs will feature a diverse range of colleges and universities, providing an excellent opportunity for students, parents, and counselors to meet with admission professionals and learn more about each institution’s academic programs, campus life, and financial aid offerings. We hope this spring event will serve to motivate and excite students about the college search, and prepare them for the next step of visiting campuses and finding the right fit.

Wednesday, March 19th 6:30-8:30pm

Wednesday, April 9th 6:30-8:30pm

“THE TRANSFORMATION OF EDUCATION” JUNE 3–JUNE 6, 2014 Explore the future of college admissions, and the vital role you play, at the Annual New York State Association for College Admission Counseling State Conference. During both Coming Together (June 3–June 4) and the Annual Conference (June 4–June 6), you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate and strategize to face industry changes head on.

For more information, visit nysacac.adelphi.edu.

REGISTER TODAY! For Early Bird registration (deadline: May 7), go to nysacac.adelphi.edu/register. 5

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Get Ready for the Spring 2014 Professional Development Forums!

With spring around the corner, it can only mean one thing… The NYSACAC Professional Development Forums are on their way! This year’s topic is “The Secret to Student Success & Marketability.” The forum will focus on what makes a student stand out as admissions counselors review applications in hopes of shaping and retaining their freshman class. Roundtable discussions led by both high school and college counselors will encourage open discussion among participants. They will be able to explore the different factors affecting student applications during the college search and application process. In today’s world of 4000+ colleges and universities, students must seek opportunities to market themselves as positive, future community members. Discussion topics will range from athletes & performers, advanced curriculum, undocumented, affordability, and the application.

Each forum will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end by noon. Here are the dates and locations: Syracuse Region- Monday, March 24th at Syracuse University Long Island Region- Monday, March, 24th at SUNY Stony Brook Rochester Region- Tuesday, March 25th at University of Rochester Albany Region- Wednesday, March 26th at SUNY Albany New York City Region- Thursday, March 27th at Fordham University, Lincoln Center Buffalo Region- Thursday, March 27th at D’Youville College Forums are free of charge for NYSACAC members. Non-NYSACAC members will be charged a nominal fee of $20.00. Our mission is to provide access across New York State so that all school counselors and college admission officers may easily connect and access information.

Please visit: www.nysacac.org/regional-forums to register and learn more about the forums.

Thank you for all your continued support of NYSACAC! We look forward to seeing you this spring! For questions or inquiries, please email: Professional.Development@nysacac.org Kristen Capezza and Lauren Sangimino Professional Development Committee Co-Chairs

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CBO Spotlight By: April Gopie

Academic Counselor, Upward Bound, Columbia University The Double Discovery Center’s (DDC) Upward Bound (UB) program has been a staple on the Columbia University campus since 1965. Serving 190 students in the Harlem/Upper Manhattan area, DDC’s Upward Bound is a federally funded, high school academic enrichment program with the goal of college access and completion. Outreach to target schools is a focal point of our intake process, yet many students are familiar with the benefits of our program and apply independently.

Once applicants meet the initial income and eligibility requirements, they are interviewed by the UB staff to gauge their level of interest, commitment, and determine if UB is the best fit to meet their needs.

Upward Bound operates year round in three cycles during the fall, spring, and summer seasons. The fall and spring 10-week-semesters are similar in structure.

Students are supported in various aspects. With academic success in mind, DDC’s UB provides weekly academic group tutoring for two hours generally led by Columbia University undergraduates and volunteers in all subjects. A successful component of programming, tutoring allows for our students to receive individualized or small group attention with consistency and a focus on their most challenging subject matters.

Another mandatory aspect of the DDC’s UB program are Saturday classes, where students take two classes on campus for 10 weeks in elective and major subject areas. Classes are taught by college professors, certified teachers, and qualified student teachers. With small class sizes and a less formal approach, students have a sense of the college classroom experience while strengthening their current academic work. UB maintains high expectations and accountability with midterms and finals given for each class and a parent-teacher town hall meeting during the semester.

Monthly class meetings geared toward the needs of each high school grade are facilitated by the academic counselors, while individual students discuss goals, concerns, and opportunities during the scheduled individual counseling sessions. Along with our main anchors of support, UB familiarizes students with college through coordinated admission officer visits to our campus, college trips, and college fairs. Students also have the opportunity 8

to receive community service hours through our organized service projects.

There are clearly many benefits to the program, but what makes DDC’s Upward Bound truly unique and memorable is our summer component. With firsthand experience as an alumna, the best summers of my high school tenure were all spent with DDC. This includes a six week residential summer program on the Columbia University campus where students live in a freshman dorm with their own room and shared space with Resident Teaching Assistants and peers. From check-in on Sunday evening to check-out on Friday afternoon, participants take three academic/ elective classes during the day, have meals in the dining hall, and engage in study time, physical fitness, club, and advisory activities on a daily basis. We incorporate educational and entertaining trips and student competitions, including our highly anticipated debate night! The summer academy gives our high school students a glimpse into the college life and atmosphere, while preparing them with the tools to be successful for the upcoming school year. UB is a highly structured program that emphasizes time management and prioritizing, the summer academy is also the place where students matter, are encouraged, and become part of the UB family. For more information, contact 212.854.3897.

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Legislative Advocacy Day By: Costas Solomou and Chris Buonocore

Government Relations Co-Chairs

Our first Legislative Advocacy Day as Co-Chairs of Government Relations was a success.

We had 22 legislative appointments scheduled with New York State Assembly and Senate Leaders. Our message to legislative leaders in Albany focused on supporting all students seeking higher education. Three main points were covered: 1) Support for additional funding to hire more school counselors and greater access to quality training and professional development that focuses on helping students throughout the postsecondary educational planning and enrollment process, 2) support additional funding for need-based financial aid, and 3) support legislation that focuses on curriculum reform that places a greater emphasis on coursework that prepares students for postsecondary education.

We would like to thank our NYSACAC leadership for their continued support, along with many of our members for their participation. Several of our colleagues made the journey to Albany to take part in Advocacy Day. We also had school counselors and students from New Settlement Apartments College Access Center join us in advocating for greater financial aid support, access to quality education, and better counseling support

We look forward to making next year bigger and better, and that is where you come in! Please consider joining us in our efforts to convey the great work that is done by NYSACAC to New York State elected officials. First time attendees and seasoned veterans alike had a great time participating in Advocacy Day 2014 and we look forward to your attendance in 2015. We are confident that your experience will be similar to these first timers! Here’s what they’re saying:

“ We learned a lot, and got a sense of how many people, how many agendas, how many priorities are vying for the attention of our legislators. Nevertheless, if our advocacy remains unvoiced, we have no one to blame but ourselves when funding is cut or denied.“

“In the past, I was intimidated by the thought of sitting with an elected official who was much more knowledgeable than me about legislation. To my surprise though, I was always partnered with someone else and found my first legislative day to be a fun learning experience leaving me energized and proud of the work we completed as an organization in Albany.”

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College Access: “The Fourth Bullet”

By Lawrence Q. Alexander Educational Consultant, The Ivy Key, Inc.

“We cannot price the middle class out of a college education.”

Remarks of President Barack Obama Weekly Address The White House August 24, 2013

Disclaimer: The following is not a critique of the President of the United States of America. Rather, it is a critique on the current state of the conversation on accessing higher education. The current national conversation on access excludes our association.

President Obama’s commentary on higher education has been well documented.

On January 16, 2014, the White House released the “FACT SHEET: The President and First Lady’s Call to Action on College Opportunity” on the WhiteHouse.gov website. The Call to Action listed 100 commitments made to “expand college opportunity.”

The commitments related to our work are summarized in these three bullets: 1. Connecting More Low-Income Students to the School that is Right for Them and Ensuring More Students Graduate. Many low-income students do not apply to or attend schools where they are most likely to succeed, often because they are not fully aware of the options available to them. Building on models that have had success in better matching lowincome students to colleges where their outcomes will be best, participants have committed to doing more to enroll low-income students and ensure they matriculate and graduate.

2. Increasing the Pool of Students Preparing for College Through Early Interventions. Low-income students are less likely to prepare to apply for college by taking recommend courses, visiting college campuses, and taking the SAT or ACT. Building on models that have had success in getting more students to prepare for college through early interventions, participants have committed to working with elementary, middle, and high schools to encourage students to go to college and assist with preparation.

3. Leveling the Playing Field in College Advising and Test Preparation.

Low-income students are often at a triple disadvantage when it comes to advising and mentorship: Their schools have fewer counselors, they can’t afford extra advising or test prep, and often cannot turn to their parents or peers for college insight. Building on models that have had success in boosting low-income college enrollment, participants have committed to increasing access to mentors and advisors.

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There are also two additional footnotes that are essential to this conversation: 1. Building the Evidence Base for Early Intervention Through GEAR UP: The Department of Education will partner with the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) to support NCCEP’s efforts to develop and evaluate best practices from GEAR UP programs related to college fit and college readiness. In addition, the Department will announce that the approximately $62 million GEAR UP grant competition scheduled for next year will focus on building and promoting the use of successful practices aimed at improving college fit, college readiness, and helping ensure students achieve the necessary milestones that provide a pathway to college success.

2. Testing the Best Approaches to College Advising and Matching Through Upward Bound: During 2014-15, the Department of Education will commit to developing and testing a new professional development program for Upward Bound staff that includes tools and resources building on lessons and strategies learned in the field to support college matching and in-person college advising. The tool kit and training are being developed in collaboration with the College Board, ACT, and the Council for Opportunity in Education, and will be designed for use with both Upward Bound staff and high school counselors.

I’ve combed the available literature for the involvement of or the invitation to the National Association for College Admissions Counselors. Shouldn’t we be part of the conversation? Since 1937, we’ve been tasked with this very assignment and since have been solving this very problem. I am taking the following issues to task: 1. President Obama’s thesis statement in his weekly address in August 2013 was, “We cannot price the middle class out of a college education.” Thus far, none of the proposed commitments outlined in the White House Fact Sheet have addressed this particular issue directly. They all speak to creating access for low-income students.

Continued on page 14

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Continued from page 13

2. A $62 million dollar grant has been awarded to GEAR UP to promote successful practices for improving college fit and readiness. GEAR UP and not NACAC? I wonder how our track records would delineate us as “best practice” organizations.

3. Upward Bound, the College Board, ACT, and the Council for Opportunity in Education have been selected to develop the “tool kit” for college matching as a resource for high school counselors. How was the leading organization serving high school counselors, NACAC, left out of the conversation?

Whether or not the White House recognizes our value, I wanted to write my colleagues to remind you that we are the fourth bullet! If we were invited to the conversation table and gifted with $62 million dollars we would solve this issue(creating access for all income classes). The fact is, we already are.

See all of you in June at Adelphi!

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continued from page 2

most fitting as we examine the impact of our economy, national standards, strengths, practices and policies, and the role we all play in helping students to the best post-secondary opportunities.

We are beginning with our Coming Together Conference on June 3-4, using Open Space Technology for a second year to explore New Frontiers in College Access and Success: How Do We Help All Underrepresented Populations Get Into and Succeed in College? With a broad definition of “underrepresented populations,” the discussions will be lively as participants build off each other’s passion and expertise to create networks and solutions supporting college access and success for all.

The full conference follows, June 4-6, and this is where attendees will have the opportunity to select one of four area college tours, choose among more than sixty-five different educational sessions in five different time blocks, hear a keynote address by Jon McGee on the topic of “Educationomics” and hear from a distinguished panel in a Friday morning session entitled Fingers on the Pulse. Scott Anderson of The Common Application, David Coleman from the CollegeBoard and Jacques Steinberg, author of The Gatekeepers and well-known for the New York Times blog The Choice, now of Say Yes to Education, will be among the speakers during the mega-session block. Meet with colleagues at a college fair on Thursday morning, a social at the Crescent Beach Club on Wednesday night, or an on-campus Casino Night following a Little Italy dinner on Thursday. There will also be an opportunity to “Talk Amongst Yourselves” as interest groups gather on Friday morning. Enjoy a tour of Belmont Park on race day, the traditional bocce matches, mini-golf, or a Taste of Garden City to get the flavor of the area, all while you are housed on Adelphi University’s beautiful campus. Enjoy seeing the latest products from our vendors throughout the conference and gather for a cocktail and hors d’oeuvre reception in the exhibit area.

Those of you who are not familiar with Adelphi’s campus or have not visited in a while will be excited by what you see, and working with Kristen Capezza, the site coordinator, has been simply put, the best I could have hoped for in a position that puts two people with big dreams in the real world. Please visit the conference website at nysacac.adelphi.edu , register before May 7 to get the Early Bird Discount, and email me with any questions you have at president.elect@nysacac.org . I look forward to seeing you at Adelphi the first week in June and meeting you in person.

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A Brief Journal:

Marketing in Higher Education By: Mercedes F. Cepeda

Admissions Counselor, Fashion Institute of Technology - State University of New York

I was invited to attend the STAMATS Higher Education Marketing conference in San Antonio, Texas. I was curious to find out all the latest trends in marketing in higher education.

For me, marketing is a simple term that often gets misused depending on the industry professionals using it. I believe that marketing is the way you deliver your product to a customer. In higher education, our customers are our students and the product we deliver is the academic experience and, more specifically, your academic programs. So why is it that marketing seems to be on every admission professional’s mind? Why are new marketing positions being created in admissions and enrollment management? The current climate of student enrollment has pushed admissions professionals to not only recruit and expand their markets, but to look at their overall marketing process in order to deliver a great product and meet their enrollment goals.

Marketing is more than communicating through email blasts or attending fairs, displaying posters and organizing successful on campus events. In a competitive market, effective marketing is about a holistic, strategic, integrated and caring plan that delivers what students are looking for and it is wonderfully crafted. Your marketing plan needs to make them want to be part of your community; your message needs to convey why your campus is the best campus for the right individual. At the conference, presenters spoke about not only stating that your college is unique, but to show them how compelling being part of your college can be. Students are searching for information and we need to provide it to them in more consistent and comprehensive ways. I believe that when we provide our customers with effective service they will want to come back and market our programs in the future.

As an alumnae of Binghamton University, I continue to share how wonderful my experience was there with many people. My admissions experience was very integrated and personal.

My academic years were filled with caring professionals and opportunities. As a prospective student, Binghamton sold me on the various opportunities I would have at my disposal including studying abroad, conducting research amongst great faculty and being part of active and diverse student organizations. They delivered on those promises and I continue to market those ideals for them. Having a college that really knows what they are providing their students is essential and it starts with a well-informed admissions staff.

My advice to admissions professionals who are toying with the idea of effective marketing for their programs is to find out what you’re selling. What makes your school standout? What can you offer your students? Know your customer; administer strategic surveys and use the data; ask your prospective students what they need and want from you. The other day I asked a student how I could help with their college search and the student said “It’s hard to find out what your cost of attendance is on the website.” continued page 18

15 17

continued from page 17

I was skeptical of this comment at first, but when it took me more than three clicks to find the information, I started to think of ways to improve the accessibility of key information on our website. I strongly believe in having a user friendly website and making information readily available to students. I also believe in picking up the phone and talking to a student rather than emailing them from time to time. Even with a busy caseload, I like to remember that students are searching for information that I can easily provide.

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Committee Update: Admission Practices

The NYSACAC Admission Practices (AP) Committee is charged with “monitoring and enforcing ethical practices in the admission process for all institutions, including high schools and colleges.” The code of ethics that guides the work of this committee is the Statement of Principles of Good Practice (SPGP) of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). The SPGP exists to protect the right of students in the college admission and application process.

The committee has addressed multiple inquiries this year in regards to potential violations of the May 1 deposit deadline. According to section II.B.3. students have until May 1 to submit their tuition deposit and should not be pressured in any way, by any of the university’s offices, to do so sooner. When these inquiries arise, the committee co-chairs will reach out to the offending institution to begin a dialogue about the issue in order to come to a mutual agreement that the changes or updates align appropriately with the statements made in the SPGP.

If you are looking to get involved with NYSACAC and are not sure how, consider becoming a member of the AP Committee. The time commitment is minimal but can be a great learning experience in regards to the ethical standards we hold for college admission counseling as members of this professional organization. Those interested should contact the committee co-chairs at admission.practices@nysacac.org Will Cardamone and Sara Robinson Admission Practices Co-Chairs

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College Readiness By: Marsha Lenzi

School Counselor, Webster Schroeder High School

Webster Schroeder High School Counselors Appreciate and Use Advice from College Admissions Representatives and Professors on ‘College Readiness’

Last month’s Webster district science department meeting was held at Webster Schroeder High School and included middle and high school science teachers and school counselors. The high school audience listened to a panel of college and university faculty who answered questions and shared observations about the lack or readiness of college freshmen. The participants left with eyes wide open, newly inspired and supremely motivated to encourage our college-bound students in a slightly different, more challenging way. In the weeks since that meeting I have been more vigorous and emphatic with both my students and parents about becoming prepared for life after high school. I have a refreshing outlook, perhaps not so new for the counselor in me, but surely less jaded and more resolute having heard a definitive message from college professionals…

“Send more students to us who are prepared and ready for college work!”

Oops…That means that many high schools (WE) need to step up our game, take on the challenge of getting OUR graduates PREPARED. Yes, our college colleagues are finding students lacking basic study habits, students who don’t think they need to do homework, students who are not resourceful or eager to learn. Sounds like college staff are not seeing these new-be co-eds as responsible or engaged and self-confident learners!

And, they stressed that those “helicopter parents” park their helicopters soon and reinforce independence and imagination in our children. It seems we have unintentionally allowed our youth in high school to beg for extra credit projects at the end of a semester of lackadaisical work. Google corrects answers at the last minute, parents call teachers for sympathy and extended deadlines, students drop courses that were clearly not too rigorous, they ask for teacher changes because the one on their schedule is “too demanding” or they believe that success in certain classes was unattainable because the student got behind, got lazy, got bored or went on vacation before the school break even started.

Thankfully, the progressive administrators in Webster recognize and uncompromisingly encourage our young people to stretch themselves and believe in their capabilities by trying AP courses. Webster offers 25 AP courses, the largest number of Advanced Placement courses in the Greater Rochester area. With these options and other dual college credit, enriched and honors courses from which to choose, our incoming freshmen students come to understand early that they are in school first and foremost to learn and enrich their intellectual proficiency. We also have a scholarly and generous faculty who care to work with our students to help them achieve at their highest potential and find not just acceptance into a good college or into entry level career options, but rather to be READY to meet the continued on page 22 20

EDUCATION IS

Find out why studying in the UK is right for your students www.educationuk.org/usa

challenges of an ever-demanding STEM-driven world, a troubled society, a needy and overall technologically, politically and morally impaired community at large.

Watching the winter Olympics always stimulates the athlete within, the yearning to be more passionate about whatever it is that intrigues us. I am fascinated by the gusto and never beaten-down attitude of silver and bronze medalists and the skiers who didn’t make it to the bottom of the slope, the skaters who fell on a triple axel, or the bobsledders who tipped over on one treacherous curve. Losers? Hardly! Our job in the high school is to inspire our students to reach for an educational gold, try just one AP, and go to the library to study instead of text. We need to enthusiastically coach our students to dream about a bigger and better future for themselves with a stable and lucrative career. We want our adolescents to become voracious about wanting more, learning more and moving out of the shelter of a hometown high school into the fascination and challenge of a competitive, diversified college and world. We need to empower our incoming 9th graders and show them the way to ‘Sochi’. By helping our students believe in their cerebral abilities and pushing them to stretch themselves, we can help them to reach for and achieve tougher, but realistic, goals.

At the opening of school this year, our Superintendant, Mrs. Adele Bovard offered our ‘family’ of educators a word – a single word – GRIT - and asked us to instill this in our students. Clearly this is what the college educators want to see when our 17- and 18-yearolds arrive on their doorsteps. Time to leave the “age of entitlement” behind. Time to define success as something that takes hard work and diligence to achieve. Our students are our future and the future of America depends on intellectual toughness. So, let’s all remind ourselves to have some GRIT and help our kids to have some too. That stickto-it-ness attitude will pay off for everyone!

(The panel of college experts included: Eric W. Young, Associate Director Project Advance at Syracuse University; Dr. James Zavislan, Associate Dean of Education and New Initiatives, Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Science, • SPRING OPEN HOUSE Associate Professor, The Institute of Optics, • ALUMNI EVENT Depts of Biomedical Engineering and Ophthal• COLLEGE FAIR mology, Center for Visual Science, University of • MARCH MADNESS Rochester; George H. Zion, Affiliate Director and • STUDENT ACTIVITIES Professor, Computer Engineering Technology • GRADUATION at Rochester Institute of Technology; Dr. Rafael Alicea-Maldonado, Dean of Math, Science and Career Education at Genesee Community College; Maureen Leupold, Director of Science Department and Professor at Genesee Community Give us a call for a free consultation to assist with your next event College; Mary Mendez-Rizzo, Coordinator of Dual Enrollment at Monroe Community College and Matthew Fetzner, Chairperson Engineering collegiate-productions.com 800-571-3532 Technologies at Monroe Community College)

Spring Events

Transformation of Education: NYSACAC 2014 Conference By: Iva Katheryn Zeqja

Assistant Director of Admissions, Adelphi University

Every college and university differs from academic offerings to geography, cost, mission, marketing, data and demographics, among many other factors. The purposeful question is what do we all have in common and what can bring us together to continue the transformation of higher education? In my opinion, we are all the foundation of knowledge, curriculum and technology. We, as individuals and organizations, have the most powerful impact on promoting young adult growth and skill sets. The milieu that we provide for students is directly determined by how we choose to recruit, assist and mentor our students along their journey to higher education. The right training, conversations and advocacy will allow us to be the best transformational leaders we can be within our organizations.

Every year, NYSACAC conferences bring us engaging forums for learning and discussion, the most up-to-date research, passionate professionals and engaging forums for learning and discussion. They are opportunities for conversations to happen and connections to develop so that we are all prepared to face the changes and challenges that education brings every year. Most importantly, the annual conference strives to bring leaders together because we know that in order to understand the needs of our students we need to first understand how to lead our institutions in the right direction.

So what makes this year’s NYSACAC 2014 Conference at Adelphi University so highly anticipated? Your presence is what will drive a successful conference- your experience throughout the years, your questions, your stories and your anecdotes. I encourage all high school, college, and organizational counselors to register for this exemplary annual conference.

It will open you up to new ideas, help you make new connections, and inspire vision for your work. During my extensive work in Admissions, student orientation, and residential life, I always took every opportunity to facilitate and speak at our annual leadership events.

On the professional level, NYSACAC now gives me the opportunity to attend conferences, events, and forums that enrich my experience in higher education.

What does Adelphi University have to offer YOU from June 3-6? First, our educational sessions and keynote speaker will inform you of exactly how education is transforming and how we need to evolve with it. Secondly, your schedule will be packed with educational, cultural, social, and networking events that will introduce you to others and familiarize you to research in our growing field of admissions and education.

Take a moment to review conference details and events at: nysacac.adelphi.edu

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Announcements!

A place to share personal and professional news about NYSACAC members. E-mail your announcements to: newsletter@nysacac.org Congratulations on your new position!

Brian Johnson accepted a position in February to become the Director of Admissions at the New York Film Academy. We are thrilled for him! Brian has been involved in NYSACAC for a number of years. Brian is currently co-chair for the Media and Marketing Committee.

Congratulations to Alfred State!

2014 College Registry Photo Contest Winner

Alfred State College, located in Alfred, NY took home the College Registry Photo Contest championship on February 21st. College Fair Registry is a website that serves as an online reservation community for admissions counselors and guidance counselors for college fairs and high school visits. This was their second time hosting the photo contest.

Newberry College in Newberry, SC won last year with four schools participating. This year eight schools participated with themes ranging from snowball fights, diversity, red pants and more. Alfred State College, the only New York school to participate, opted for an Olympic theme: “Alfred State Shoots for the Gold!� Participants dressed up in football and baseball uniforms, grabbed their mascot Orvis, and put on their game faces for the picture, which was taken by student photographer Elliot Maddox. The voting process lasted five days during the third week of February. It was neck and neck all the way with Queen University of Charlotte and Alfred State going back and forth in the lead. The final count was a close one with Alfred State coming out on top with 111 votes and Queens University trailing ever so slightly with 107. Alfred State has won a spring membership to the College Fair Registry, which will enhance their spring travel planning. All in all, it was a great way to come together as an office team for a fun and competitive event.

Submitted by: Chris Bouknight, Admissions Counselor, Alfred State College

Follow us on: Make sure to use #NYSACAC at upcoming events!

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Share your ideas, research, news briefs, announcements, upcoming events and insights with your fellow NYSACAC members. Get involved and submit an article for the next NYSACAC newsletter.

Newsletter Committee: Meghan DeMayo-Dalen Client Development Strategist Spark451 Cristina Rivas-Laline School Counselor Plainview Old-Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School Christine Loo College Advisor Archbishop Molloy High School

NYSACAC

P.O. Box 28 Red Hook, NY 12571 Phone (845) 389-1300 Fax (866) 370-1008 nysacac@nysacac.org

Office Hours Monday- Friday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.