Winter 2015 Newsletter

WINTER 2015 Newsletter

Message from the president In this issue: By: Jane Mathias President, NYSACAC Chair, NACAC Imagine Grant Committee Director of Guidance Nardin Academy

As we opened our new calendars, and enjoyed spending some time with friends and family during the holidays, we started a new phase of the admissions cycle. From weeks on the road meeting prospects, those on the college side turned to reading applications, and those on the high school side moved from seniors to juniors as a new group begins its search in earnest. Whichever side of the desk you sit on, I hope that the fall was personally and professionally satisfying and gratifying. We all know that it was busier and more demanding than ever. continued on page 2

From

President

1-2

NACAC Conference

4-5

“Imagine” That!

6-7

the

CBO Fair

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Think Before You Tweet

8-9

Student’s Own Turf Remind

Crazy, Creative Content

10-11 12 13

Around the Empire State 14-15 A Grand Homecoming “Hot Topics” PD Forums

16-17 18

Heart of College Admissions 19 Announcments

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Legislative Advocacy Day

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continued from page 1

I spent some time reflecting on NYSACAC as I caught my breath over the holiday break. There is so much good work that we do with energy and passion, squeezing time when there is little to spare. We do it because we fully believe in this process we serve, imperfect as it may be. We encourage high school students to think big and to dream, and then we urge them forward to make good decisions each day. We teach them life skills and hope they stick. One of my goals was that we would reach deeper into New York, into the rural communities as well as the cities, into the north, south, east and west of the state, bringing college, high school, and community based organizations together to help us better understand each other’s needs and make strides to meet them. As you read ahead, I hope that you will make the effort to join us at one or all of the upcoming events. If a letter to your administrator would help convince him or her to give you the time away from your desk, I am happy to write it.

NYSACAC’s committees have been hard at work planning our spring activities to bring you the professional development that will educate and energize. There will be three NYSACAC regional college fairs this spring: one at Ithaca College, one at Suffern High School on Long Island, and one at Manhattanville College in Purchase.

There will be seven Professional Development Forums taking place: at Fordham University at Lincoln Center, D’Youville College in Buffalo, University of Rochester, SUNY Delhi, Siena College in Albany, and Nassau Community College. The format this year is round-table discussions on hot topics in admissions. There is no fee for these half-day forums if you are a member; a small fee if you are not. It is our intention to provide a highly beneficial program to as many professionals as possible. The forums and regional college fairs will take place in March and April. Our thanks go out to all of the host sites for NYSACAC events, and we encourage you to read more about them and register on our website.

The premier event of our year is the annual conference and Coming Together which will be held the second week of June at Utica College. More than a year in the planning, the opportunities for professional growth through presentation, outreach, networking, college visitation, exposure to the latest products and services, and education relating to everything in our field all occur in an affordable, highly enjoyable setting, and brings together colleagues at all levels from deans to the newest counselors.

The year concludes with Camp College which will take place this summer at Siena College and SUNY Delhi, and the Summer Institute for new professionals at Skidmore College. You will also want to mark your calendar for the Student Leaders in Admission Forum which will be held in early September.

There is no other organization that brings you so much for your membership dollars. If you are not a current member, please consider renewing or joining to get the full benefit of the only organization on the state level that designates its full effort to your profession. Your participation will make our voice stronger. I welcome your suggestions on ways to improve our outreach and communication, and the specific things we can do to help you reach your goals.

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Please contact me at president@nysacac.org

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NACAC 2014 In a look back

ndianapolis in pictures!

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“Imagine” That!

By: Lauren Sangimino and Mark Palios I had the pleasure of speaking with Mark Palios, guidance counselor at Shelter Island School District, during the NACAC Conference in Indianapolis, this past September. Mark had been a recipient of the Imagine Grant, which made his attendance at the conference possible. The Imagine Grant provides financial support for professional development opportunities to those who work with students in the transition to college and otherwise, may not be able to participate. I was interested to hear more about Mark’s experience at the conference and the impact it had on him.

Here is what he had to say…

How did you find out about the Imagine Grant and what was the process like?

The Imagine Grant was introduced to me by the president of NYSACAC, Jane Mathias.

She informed me that this opportunity was available and encouraged me to apply. The process was very easy, straightforward. No obstacles, which was great.

Would you have attended the NACAC Conference if you did not receive the grant?

No, I would not have because of the cost involved in the conference registration, travel, and accommodations, plus the request for time off from work was made more palatable to my administration because of the grant!

How did you manage your time out of the office?

There was some free time during the conference, and wifi everywhere, so doing work remotely and emails was possible, which helped the time away from the office.

Plus, I knew of the grant well ahead of time, so I was able to plan accordingly with my workload. Also, the timing was good, I wasn’t in the middle of Early Action/Early Decision applications.

What were the benefits of attending the conference?

Networking with admissions and counseling professionals was one of the greatest benefits. The workshops were also top notch.

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How has attending the conference benefited your students?

I can say that a deeper understanding of the admissions process has helped, along with the knowledge of some more programs that are out there. The vendors that were present also introduced me to some new programs and products that will be beneficial to my students.

As a result of attending the conference, was there anything you decided to do differently or implement in your office, or district?

Some ideas in creating a college-going culture in my office and in the school were picked up at the conference. Also, an approach to NCAA eligibility notification is being implemented.

What did you gain by attending the NYSACAC General Membership Meeting at NACAC? The general membership meeting was a great opportunity again to network, and really connect with people in New York State. It was a chance to take a very large conference and meet with more local contacts. Plus, we heard what was happening in NYSACAC and how we can use their resources for our local counseling practice.

CBO Fair

By: Rachel Ford

College Counselor, Humanities Prepatory Academy The second-annual CBO Fair was held on Thursday, October 2, at the Bayard Rustin Educational Campus in Manhattan. Co-sponsored by NYSACAC and CACNY, and hosted by Humanities Preparatory Academy, the event featured representatives from 17 New York City Community Based Organizations, including the YMCA, East Harlem Tutorial Program, Harlem Educational Activities Fund, several test prep organizations, and NYC College Line, among others. More than 200 students from the BREC campus and other area high schools attended the fair.

The event was a success! On a survey of CBO presenters, most reported that the students they met were a good fit for their program and that they would attend a similar fair next year. Most students reported that while they did not know what a CBO was before attending the fair, they learned a lot and they found at least one CBO they would want to join.

Next year we plan to increase the number of presenters and to have a greater diversity of programs represented. The majority of organizations present at this year’s fair provide College Access programming and test prep. Next year we hope to have a broader cross-section of the CBOs in New York City that work with college-bound youth allowing them to further develop their unique talents and skills. In particular, we would love to attract organizations that provide opportunities to explore the arts, STEM, leadership, and community service.

Many thanks to all the CACNY and NYSACAC members who helped to organize the event and to the presenters, students, teachers and administrators who attended for making it a huge success! Finally, a huge thanks to Bell Curves for donating a free SAT Prep course to raffle off to a student.

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Think Before You Tweet

Social Media and the College Admissions Process By: Alexandra L. Tramposch

Admissions Advisor, Niagara University On April 3, 2013 David Hill, Defensive Line Coach for the University of Charleston in Charleston, West Virginia, sent out this tweet, “We dropped a recruit this past week because of his Twitter. We were ready to offer him until we saw some of the things he posted.” In less than 140 characters, Coach Hill proved that what is put on the Internet often has consequences, and it is never too early for students to think about their digital footprint. While it may be common knowledge that executive recruiters and employers conduct online research of potential job candidates, Kaplan Test Prep’s 2013 Survey of College Admissions Officers revealed that social media can affect the college admissions process as well. Of admissions officers surveyed from top national, regional and liberal arts colleges, 29% have taken it upon themselves to complete a Web search of an applicant to learn more about them, 31% have visited an applicant’s social networking page, such as Facebook, and 30% have discovered something online about an applicant that negatively impacted their application (“Highlights from Kaplan Test Prep,” 2013).

A student’s social media footprint is the trail they leave behind every time they check in to a location, upload a photo, share, tweet, and pin their way through high school.

The following list of what to do (and what not to do) can help students put their best foot forward in every part of the admissions process, even the parts not on the written application.

What not to do: 1. Do not have an unprofessional social media presence. High school students should understand that when they utilize social media, they are simultaneously building their own personal brand. Every tweet (and even retweet) reflects a person’s character; it is never too early for students to think about how they want to portray themselves online.

2. Don’t post anything you wouldn’t shout down the high school hallways. It is easy to fall into the dangers of posting an angry tweet in an impulsive moment, yet negative status updates or emotional posts tend to leave a bad impression. Always think before posting.

3. Don’t post questionable photos. Students should proceed with caution regarding both photos they choose to share and photos others choose to share of them. By choosing to review all photos that may be tagged of them (a feature users can enable within Facebook settings), students remain in control, and questionable, embarrassing, or unprofessional photos can be avoided.

4. Don’t post that a college or university is your “safety” school. Colleges love interacting with prospective students. Visited a campus today? Share your excitement on Twitter or post a photo on Instagram. What colleges don’t love is finding out that they are not your first choice (or even in your top three).

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What to do: 1. Do use privacy settings. According to the Kaplan survey, several admissions officers visited an applicant’s social media profile only after being tipped off anonymously. High school students should never trust each and every one of their “friends” on social media, and new privacy settings allow for grouping friends into separate lists with different levels of privacy for each. If a student has a Twitter account, they should consider making it accessible by permission only.

2. Google yourself. Privacy settings do not mean a student remains invisible online. The easiest way to check your digital footprint is to type your name into a search engine.

3. Do use proper grammar and spelling. Just as a student would not want to leave a sloppy error on the Common Application, they should also care about the details on their social media pages.

4. Do create positive content. Use social media to support others, engage in conversation, and express gratitude. Positive content can be as simple as a student athlete who utilizes social media to thank fans and teammates, or an orchestra member who chooses to share a photo of the high school’s holiday concert.

The social media footprint of a high school student should always reflect responsibility.

Remember that colleges are building communities, and a student’s social media presence should reveal the asset that they will be to that community as much as their application will. (“Highlights from Kaplan Test Prep Admissions Officer Survey,” Kaplan Test Prep, 2013).

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The Value of Meeting on the Student’s Own Turf!

By Marsha Lenzi

School Counselor, Webster Schroeder High School

I am certain we have all heard from parents that their sons/daughters hear “the message” louder and clearer from high school counselors than they do from them.

Well, speaking as a school counselor, I can reiterate that many times it is the college admissions counselor who gets that message across even better to our seniors than we do. And, let me express our gratitude on this end for your travel between high schools; rain, sleet or storm, your wait time in the buildings and your kind reception to our often lost and disillusioned students. The college rep’s enthusiasm generates student interest and certainly is a motivating force in getting them to “kick into gear” to begin the Common App or online application, an often daunting and frightening task for students to begin.

Webster Schroeder, like many upstate high schools, host admissions counselors throughout the fall months, and schedule half hour appointments right in our own offices, which allow our juniors and seniors to sign up and meet one-onone or in small groups. This opportunity for students to talk with someone who is passionate about a college they are considering, who is downright honest and most knowledgeable about the admissions criteria to that school and who will answer questions directly and more personally than any Google search is absolutely invaluable.

Many times, my students have come away from a college meeting with a newfound path following graduation and more importantly with a name and a contact. And, this process is all about making connections!

In addition, we have the Rochester area colleges and Buffalo aea colleges visit for an hour long meet-and-greet in our library. These events are stimulating and well attended. Besides being a vehicle for the colleges to disseminate information firsthand to interested students, the mingling and ability to initiate interaction with a professional outside of the high school faculty affords our students the opportunity to develop their own confidence and skills in communicating. Prior to these events, the school counselors meet in seminars with every single senior to prepare them for this necessary next step in the entire college application process.

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Of course the National College Fair in the spring at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center brings hundreds of colleges across the country together with hundreds of potential applicants, and Webster Schroeder regularly brings three busloads of students to this annual anticipated field trip. Every year, the Webster district school counselors try to take students to local colleges on field trips, in order to experience the cafeteria food, visit the dorms and get a general idea what being on a college campus feels like. This is a particularly impressionable experience for our first generation student and introduces them to a world outside of their home turf.

Another amazing opportunity to help students find the right “fit” is having the high school counselors visit the college campuses. Getting excited about programs helps us to promote them as viable options for the students we work with every day.

High schools and colleges working together and providing the “personal” approach to this college application process benefits everyone!

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Remind

By: Jeffrey Hirsch

Guidance Counselor, White Plains High School As a high school guidance counselor I am always searching for ways to better my communication with my students and parents. I use Microsoft Outlook to create student and parent folders in order to send grade specific email reminders and updates.

I send a weekly guidance newsletter with tips and announcements. I have a website that houses all of my resources from the college process to NY Regents review. And, I try to be active on Twitter, taking the lead in my guidance department to tweet out important information and to build followers – a slow process to be sure! But recently I found a resource that has changed the way I am able to disseminate quick information and reminders and reach students and parents unlike any way that I have before. The tool is called Remind and it’s catching on quickly at my school. Remind is a free service that lets users “… send one-way messages via push notifications (texts) or email.” This is done while keeping the host’s number (mine) and the recipient’s numbers (my students and parents) private. Are you on an alert system at your school or in your district where you automatically get a text message telling you that school is cancelled because of snow? Well, this is the same concept.

I work in a large building, with over 2000 students, and there is a lot of physical ground to cover in order to track down a student. Before utilizing this tool, being able to reach out to a student to have them, say, come to my office to match their Common App to their Naviance Account, was not as easy as 1-2-3. But now, with a few strokes of the keys I can send a message to that student’s phone asking him or her to come see me at lunch or during their free period. I know my kids, they don’t check their email as often as they should, but they do check their phones more often than they should.

My kids are getting my messages and they are coming to find me, not vice versa. On a macro level, I am able to broadcast larger scale messages to my overall caseload, like announcing a deadline, or an upcoming SAT date, or that Parent/Teacher Night has been postponed. And I’m always confident that my messages hit their intended target.

I’ve never been more efficient.

Finding effective and streamlined methods of communicating with my students and parents will always be among my top priorities. For the moment, I feel like I have found a tool that maximizes my time while getting pertinent information to my stakeholders.

For information on Remind, go to www.remind.com.

Crazy, Creative Content By: Iva Zeqja

Assistant Director of Admissions, Adelphi University As I wrap up my third travel and recruitment season here at Adelphi University, I enthusiastically look forward to the application reading season. As odd as it may sound, I am enthusiastic about beggining to read hundreds and hundreds of college applications these next few months. It is truthfully one of my favorite parts of being an admissions counselor. Reading recommendations from counselors I’ve developed strong relationships with, reviewing applications from stellar students I’ve personally worked with throughout the fall, and making admission decisions that reflect these students’ potential are the core of this career choice for me. My travels, outreach, and determination to recruit the most eligible and best fit students for Adelphi University are all fueled by the end result- the quality of applications I receive and how I can ensure that these students are putting Adelphi at the top of their college consideration lists. As I begin the reading process this year, I’ve started to ask myself this: once I’ve drawn them in, how can I make sure that they are drawing me in?

Three years ago I would have said that every application I read was interesting in its own way. However having read thousands upon thousands of applications these past few years, my expectations may have begun to transform. Ever heard the story of the counselor that opened a box in the office containing sneakers from a prospective student? The attached note read, “I figured this was the best way to get my foot in the door.” What about the student that began to juggle mini torches during an admissions interview making the point that he can multitask? At an on-site event last year, a colleague of mine met with a student that pulled out his Rubik’s cube and made it a point to show all of us that his rapid completion was a strength, among many of his other talents. Although every risk and tactic may not always be as appropriate as it is daring, it’s important that we start to see (and appreciate) creativity and authenticity in these college applications. As the demand for higher education grows, the competition becomes stronger, leaving applicants (and counselors) with the responsibility of identifying creativity embedded within strong content and academic materials.

For instance, we all receive resumes and activity lists with service and commitment to extracurricular activities, but maybe these students have it in them to start their own volunteer initiatives. Perhaps they can begin advocating for a cause that’s important to them while building managerial and entrepreneurial skills. First and foremost, I think prospective students need to make academics a priority. Performing well and demonstrating achievement is the basis of our review process, but I don’t think it hurts strong applicants to express themselves in an effective and creative way. At the end of the day, these applications would be lifeless without that expression of character we so enthusiastically want to see and hear from students. As I tell all the constituents I work with (counselors, applicants, and families alike) when asked about personal statements, interviews, etc. - make sure your applications are the complete package, not just pieces 13 of paper and words!

From Canton, NY:

Around the

In January, St. Lawrence University will host a counselor appreciation evening for local school counselors in the Adirondack region.

Jeff Rickey Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, St. Lawrence University

From Alfred, NY:

The Steuben and Allegany County counselors both meet on a regular basis. A current topic of concern is the NYS Board of Regents Pathways to Graduation, particularly the recommendations for technical assessments. The groups routinely share information and solutions to common concerns and include college representatives in their associations in order to obtain the higher education perspective. In addition, each association schedules meetings at area colleges in order to gain up-to-date information relevant for their students.

Alfred State hosted each of these groups this fall.

Deborah Goodrich Interim Vice President for Administration & Enrollment, Alfred State University

From Olean, NY:

A visit to the Cattaraugus County Counselors’ Association by Jane Mathias, NYSACAC President, was scheduled for November 20th but had to be postponed until February. Cattaraugus is among the poorest 10% of counties in New York State and few counselors are members of NYSACAC. Jane and I are working to improve these counselors’ understanding of NYSACAC, the benefits of membership, and the value of attending the 2015 conference in Utica.

Leslie Raymore Watson Director of College Counseling, Archbishop Walsh Academy

From New York City: This August I hosted a “Summer Send-Off Party” to celebrate the academic achievements of Wells College students from NYC at Humboldt & Jackson in Brooklyn. This event inspired students to share developments in their intellectual investigations that will continue at Wells with the start of the fall semester. Connecting as a group prepared and energized my students’ return to campus and ensured their continued contributions to the Wells community.

I hosted an Information Session with a group of students from Pace Liberty Partnerships Program at Pace University on Tuesday, November 18, 2014. As a regional admissions counselor, I was excited to connect with this group in NYC prior to their visit to campus on Saturday, November 22, 2014. While at Wells they were welcomed by Susan Sloan, Director of Admissions, went on a campus tour, attended a student panel and ate lunch on campus.

Annie Marsh Assistant Director of Admissions, Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment, Wells College

Empire State From the Capital Region:

- NYSSCA Conference in Albany, NY 10/31 & 11/1/14 - Capital District Counseling Association (CDCA) - Winter Meeting - College Caravan (2 weeks) Regional Colleges visit local high schools for mini College Fair programs.

- College Fairs at local High Schools and HVCC, Sept. 24, 2014 Lisa Carr School Counselor, Bethlehem Central High School

From the lower Hudson Valley:

Westchester-Putnam-Rockland Counseling Association (WPRCA) has sponsored a number of professional development events on topics ranging from the adolescent brain, working with students with ADD/ADHD, and the school counselor-principal relationship (an event co-sponsored with School Counselors of Rockland County). WPRCA also continues to serve new counselors through mentoring workshops and sponsors a workshop every year at the Guidance Expo in White Plains. The WRPCA Scholarship commmittee recently selected John Cucurullo, NYSSCA liaison to WPRCA, as the recipient of a conference grant to the NYSSCA conference that was held in October, 2014 in Albany. For the upcoming annual NYSACAC conference in June 2015, WPRCA generously sponsored two full conference grants. For more information about WPRCA, please visit the WPRCA blog.

Marissa Guijarro School Counselor, Suffern High School Rockland Liaison, NYSACAC Liaison, WPRCA

From New York City:

- Worked with CACNY to do outreach to CBO’s in the NYC area, including assisting with a NYC CBO fair - Presented at CACNY about Utica College - Hosted a free bus trip for NYC students to our Open House - Have been conducting outreach to NYC alumni offering opportunities to assist admissions with recruitment - Conducting workshops with groups in the area (CBO’s) about admissions - Regular appointments with students and families in and around NYC for interview and information sessions Erica Padilla NYC Admissions Representative, Utica College

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A Grand Homecoming By: Danny Tejada

Libert Partnerships Program Site Coordinator, Pace University I never thought my life would come full circle. It wasn’t until the end of my sophomore year in college when I realized the true meaning of my story. That summer, a friend’s Haitian mother broke things down to me in a way that had I never thought about before. She told me that I was supposed to be in a gang, jail or dead. The meaning of my story hit me in that moment. Her statement revealed to me that that the odds were really against me.

I grew up in the Linden Housing Projects in East New York, Brooklyn. When my maternal grandmother passed away as I was finishing junior high school, my parents started to neglect me by not showing interest in my grades and what I did with my time outside of the home. They stopped checking my report cards, attending parent/teacher conferences and never questioned why I came home late. It sounds like any kid’s dream, but it was my nightmare because I craved the affection and concern of such parental guidance.

Many of my friends who attended high school in the neighborhood associated themselves with individuals who were traveling down negative paths and as a result we parted ways. My parents also began to increasingly indulge in liquor and habitual drinking. The most minute thing bothered my father and would become rationale for abusing my mother, siblings and me. As I progressed in high school, I began to gain the courage to “step” between my father and whoever was his chosen target at the moment.

The journey I have embarked upon has been one of self-discovery, awareness and personal bravery. There was a time when I was very withdrawn and kept to myself.

I felt hopeless because I thought high school was the end of the road. I had this thought because my parents dropped out in the 11th grade and no one had ever advised me about college being an option. However, by my second semester of the ninth grade, my outlook began to change. In my English class, two staff members from Pace University’s Upward Bound program gave a presentation on the program.

I looked at the opportunity as a way to escape my hellish home life. I was never a bad student, but now, I had been given a purpose. I wanted to get into the program so badly that I had every teacher write a recommendation when I only needed two. Up to that point, I had never experienced such excitement in my life as I did upon gaining acceptance to the program. The love I received from the staff members went beyond anything I ever had in my life.

I had a safe place to go to after school. I always looked forward to the Saturday and summer academies where I learned how to think critically and immersed myself in electives that touched on topics such as race and gender. I was granted the opportunity

to see what college life was like when I visited schools and talked to students there. I got to understand the purpose of college and the admissions process via the College Prep class. I will never forget the much needed pressure I got from that class to apply Early Decision to Skidmore College.

As my time at Skidmore neared its end, I started to reflect on how my experience in Upward Bound had lent itself to fostering the desire to provide the same knowledge and opportunities I received and to share my life experiences. Upon graduation it was clear that my desire was to become a part of an experience for someone who also needed to find his or her purpose. What commenced was a journey - searching and going on countless interviews for college access positions - that lasted four years. In the end, I landed at the same place where it all began: Pace University’s Center of Urban Education, which houses Upward Bound and the program I work for Liberty Partnerships.

As I started working in Liberty and collaborated with Upward Bound on the Summer Academy and other aspects relevant to college access, I gained more of an appreciation for what the Upward Bound staff had done for me. I was grateful in high school for their work and dedication to seeing us excel, but I didn’t know the complexity and the amount of work that was necessary to execute seamless programing such as teaching a class, setting up college trips and info sessions, and assisting students with their college essay and list.

It has been such a great experience and honor to work with the same people who helped me get to college. There is no reward that compares to being a part of these students’ lives and the subsequent journey and story that accompany each individual.

I am also fortunate to work with a supportive director who encourages growth and creativity. With that support, I have discovered new passions and interests such as rites of passage programming for young men. I couldn’t ask for a better place to start my career and I look forward, with great anticipation, to what is to come!

Graduating high school made It is such an honor and pleasure to me believe I could do anything. help guide students who currently live as I once did.

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2015 Professional Development Forums “Hot Topics in College Admissions” We would like to extend our thanks to the locations hosting the forums in the upcoming months and for their hard work and dedication to NYSACAC:

March 10, 2015 – Siena College March 11, 2015 – Ithaca College March 17, 2015 – University of Rochester March 20, 2015 – D’Youville College April 10, 2015 – SUNY Delhi April 20, 2015 – Fordham University April 24, 2015 – Nassau Community College The four-hour program (8:00 am–12 noon) will include various round table discussions, each exploring the different factors affecting professionals in the field as they work with students throughout 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. Among the discussion topics will be current trends, use of social media, high school counselor/college counselor relationships, and college cost.

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 professionals working with students in the college admissions process may easily connect and access information.

We look forward to this year’s discussions and encourage any seasoned professionals with interest in facilitating roundtables to contact us.

For more information please continue to check the website or contact our Professional Development Chairs: Annemarie Cervoni and Lisa Searle professional.development@nysacac.org

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“The Heart of College Admissions” NYSACAC Conference 2015 By: Kristen Capezza NYSACAC President-Elect

On behalf of the 2015 Steering Committee and 2015 host site, Utica College, I am thrilled to announce the launch of our conference website: www.utica.edu/nysacac. As you begin to think summer plans, I sincerely hope NYSACAC has made its way to your calendar!

We have an informative, educational, and fun experiences planned for you and your colleagues.

The single most comprehensive and all-encompassing opportunity for professional development, NYSACAC’s annual conference will be held June 10-12, 2015 on the beautiful campus of Utica College, preceded by the Coming Together Conference on June 9-10 focused on confronting issues of diversity, equity, and access. Options to attend range from single day attendance to full conference and Coming Together packages. Discounts are in place for early bird registrants and for all NYSACAC members (now’s the time to make sure your membership is up to date!). There are also opportunities to give and receive conference grants for counselors whose attendance relies on financial support.

Whether you are new to the field with questions about where to go and what to do, or whether you are wise with years of experience, NYSACAC provides an ideal forum to engage, network, and learn. This year’s conference has planned to feature 60+ educational sessions from which to choose, an entire hour focused on transfer students and pathways, a keynote focused on the heart of our profession, and special interest groups based on relevant topics in our ever-changing industry. We’ve planned plenty of time for reconnecting and networking over fun activities ranging from the traditional games of bocce and area highlights to new and exciting additions of an adventure ropes course and progressive cyber forensics experience. There will be plenty of surprises along the way.

If you’re looking for ways to get involved, consider submitting a proposal to present at this year’s conference. We’re accepting proposals through January 23, 2015 on topics including but not limited to secondary counseling, post-secondary admission, college admissions policies and procedures, career and staff development, community-based organizations, transfer practices and policies, and international student recruitment. Your voice will be a great addition to this year’s conference!

Start planning your summer today and make sure NYSACAC is included in your plans. Map out your route early and learn about accessibility to campus by plane, train, and car.

The 2015 Steering Committee, Utica College, and I all look forward to welcoming you to NYSACAC 2015!

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Announcements!

A place to share personal and professional news about NYSACAC members.

Congratulations

Kent Rinehart, who was elected to the 2014-2015 Board of Directors of NACAC, and Tim Lee, on his appointment as Coordinator of the Affiliate Presidents Council of NACAC!

Legislative Advocacy Day

Please join NYSACAC in Albany on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 for the Advocacy Day Program. The legislature must be encouraged to continue to support opportunity programs and the Tuition Assistance Program for New Yorkers.

When: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Albany, NY Where: Hampton Inn Albany Downtown - 25 Chapel St. 2015 Agenda: 8 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.: Breakfast and Check-In 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.: Legislative Priorities Review and Lobbying Preparation 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.: Join the rally in the Legislative Office Building, “The Well�

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Meetings with key legislators The Government Relations Committee will coordinate visits with legislators on your behalf.

Appointments will be scheduled from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Register Here!

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We look forward to seeing you there!

NYSACAC Government Relations Committee

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Newsletter Committee: Meghan DeMayo-Dalen Client Development Strategist Spark451

Christine Loo College Advisor Archbishop Molloy High School

Cristina Rivas-Laline School Counselor Plainview Old-Bethpage John F. Kennedy 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.