The Perfect Gift for a Deserving Colleague...

What better time than now to consider how you can help others in 2018! The Marion Flagg Scholarship Program gives you the perfect opportunity to provide support to colleagues and friends in the field of college counseling and admissions. We have already received sponsorship to support 10 scholarships for our 53rd Annual Conference!

Named for one of PCACAC's most outstanding members, the Marion Flagg Scholarship is awarded annually to a group of exceptional educational professionals who are not currently members of PCACAC and who have not previously attended a PCACAC conference. Self nominations are welcome. 

This scholarship specifically targets counselors who work with historically underserved students, minority students or students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Each scholarship includes one year of free membership in PCACAC, one conference registration, hotel lodging (two nights, in room shared with another scholarship winner of the same gender or 50% of cost of housing if you choose to get a single room), and transportation. 
SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION by February 9, 2018.

The Inclusion, Access and Success Committee oversees the selection of scholarship recipients. Most of these colleagues work with minority populations or students from disadvantaged backgrounds. They may be high school counselors, two- or four-year college admission professionals, independent counselors or individuals working in such programs as KIPP, Upward Bound, the College Success Foundation, AVID, etc.  Selected recipients and their nominators will be notified by March 2, 2018.  Award certificates will be presented to recipients at the 53rd Annual Conference.  Nominee must make every attempt to attend the program if selected.

If you'd like to help support the 53rd Annual Conference, you can give any amount by texting PCACAC53 to 50155.  To partner with us on a specific conference event, visit www.pcacac.org/conferences for the 2018 Prospectus and Sponsoring and Advertising form (a new, easy to complete form!).

Thank you for supporting this professional development opportunity for admission professionals like yourself!

Sincerely,

Rachel Cleaver
Marion Flagg Program Chair

QUESTIONS? We're happy to help!

Announcing PCACAC's 2018 Student Support Grant..

In planning for the new year (Yes, 2018 is almost here!), PCACAC encourages you to give some thought to a student event or project that you'd like to make happen in 2018.  We recognize that members may not always have the financial resources to implement student programming and, since 2013, have provided help through our Student Support Grant (SSG).  If you know a way to help your students in the college process, but don't have the funds to carry it out, or you know of a community program that needs funding to deliver college counseling programming, we may be able to help fund the program you have been dreaming about!

On that note, we are now accepting applications for the Student Support Grant, designed to reimburse counseling professionals in their development and implementation of programs that directly benefit students. 

Who may apply? PCACAC members may apply for a Student Support Grant for their own student program or they may wish to nominate a community member whose volunteer work nurtures college readiness.  For detailed information about the selection criteria and application process, please review the Student Support Grant (SSG) guidelines. One $400 grant will be awarded for 2018. 

The deadline for submitting your application is February 23, 2018. Grant applications will be reviewed by the SSG Program Committee and the selected recipient (and their nominator, if applicable) will be notified by March 9, 2018.  An award certificate will be presented to the recipient at PCACAC's 53rd Annual Conference at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino in Dover, DE, April 15-17, 2018.

Please contact me with any questions at info@pcacac.org. 

Best regards,

Lucy Neale Duke
Student Support Grant Chair 

Member Spotlight on Dawn Marie Walker!

Dawn Marie Walker works at Michigan State University as the Manager of Pennsylvania Recruitment & Regional Recruiter.

What's your favorite admissions/counseling memory or travel story?

Although I do not have one favorite story, I met my very best friends through recruiting and travel.  Fall season is hectic as I am traveling and reading apps, but getting to see many of my favorite faces on the road helps a lot!  And, as a regional recruiter, I don’t get to see my office mates at MSU very often.  Having friends in my home office area in PA who can relate to my job and responsibilities and also brainstorm recruiting ideas is a life saver.

What do you love most about your job?

 There are many things I love about this job, the travel aspect, the seasonal changes in responsibilities, but I most love working with bright young people.  I get to be a mentor and counselor to some great young minds, trying to decide what path to take toward their futures.  I’m so excited to be a part of this process, and I’m optimistic about the future because of these fantastic students.

What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue leadership (or membership) in PCACAC and/or NACAC?

Both NACAC and PACAC have been great conduits to many recruiting and networking opportunities.  But it’s not all work.  There are many opportunities for fun throughout the year.  I have met many of my best friends at fairs, conferences, or other events.

How do you balance work/life?

As a married mother of two, this is always a challenge. The great thing about this field is that although the fall travel season almost completely removes me from my family, I have quite a bit of flexibility throughout the rest of the year.  I make it clear to all friends and extended family that I will not be available for ANYTHING from September through Thanksgiving.  That way, when I am home on the weekends during those times, I devote all of my time to my kids and husband.  And, when there is an important family event throughout the rest of the year, I put it on my calendar in ink, and schedule appointments around it.  Also, I try to turn off my phone when enjoying quality family time. 

What advice would you give to someone considering entering the admissions/college counseling profession?

It is a very rewarding field for anyone who has the ability to develop a rapport with young adults, and get them excited about their futures.  When you are having a bad day, or may not be enthusiastic about what you do, you have to put a smile on your face and be willing to get excited about the possibilities that lay ahead of each and every student.  You may be the only person encouraging them to go after their dreams.

Who Will You Nominate?

The PCACAC Nominating Committee values your opinion as we identify the following 2018 Executive Board candidates:

• President-Elect
• Treasurer

If you have already submitted a nomination - THANK YOU!  If not, please review the duties of each available position in the Call for Nominations and consider either a self-nomination or identify a PCACAC member who is ready to take the next step in PCACAC leadership.  Current membership is required in order to submit a nomination.  If you are NOT a current PCACAC member, please visit www.pcacac.org and click on "Renew" or "Join" under the Member Information section.
Nominations require completion of two electronic forms (combined in one login process for your convenience):  Candidate Application and Institutional Support Form
The official candidate nomination filing deadline is Monday, February 5, 2018. Nominees will be notified regarding candidacy status by the end of February.
The following appointed Delegate positions are currently linked to specific Chair positions.  Although they will not be on the Candidate Application, they will be on the ballot next year as single-slate candidates.

• Delegate/Admission Practices Chair (appointed position)
• Delegate/Credentials and Bylaws Chair (appointed position)

The election will be held from March 19 to April 15, 2018.  A final announcement will be made during the Membership Meeting & Awards Luncheon on Monday, April 16, at PCACAC's 53rd Conference in Dover, DE.  Newly elected officers will take office July 1, 2018.
Thank you for your commitment to PCACAC and we look forward to receiving your nominations!
Sincerely,
Anthony Ambrogi
Immediate Past President and Nominating Chair
aambrogi@st.catherines.org

Member Spotlight on David Adams!

David Adams, Assistant Director of Admissions, Widener University

What led you into admissions/college counseling? Share your journey story! 

It is a long and sordid story.  Not really, I was graduating from Old Dominion University and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.  I had worked in the admissions office as a student teleteam caller and a tour guide.  My boss came to me and said he thought I would be a great addition to the admissions team and suggested I apply for a vacancy on the staff, so I applied.  I interviewed for the position and quite frankly bombed the interview and didn’t get the job.  The person who did was amazing and totally deserved it.  But in their great wisdom, ODU hired me as a road runner.  After two seasons as a road runner the rest is 20 years of history.

What's your favorite admissions/counseling memory or travel story? 

I have two or three vivid memories. 

1.  When I was hired at Old Dominion it was a Friday afternoon and I was coaching rowing.  I was leaving practice and received a phone call to report to the admissions office immediately.  So I went to the office in my coaching gear which consisted of shorts and a t-shirt, both of which were soaking wet.  The VP looked at me, shook her head and told me to come to open house on Saturday (the next day) and I was hitting the road on Sunday for my first college fair.  Nothing like on the job training J

2.  I was visiting a school on the Eastern Shore of MD and my visit was canceled because a deer was running the hallways of the school.

3.  We work in an often thankless job.  Even when we are meeting our goals, someone is usually not pleased, whether faculty, the President, or the CFO.  I received a letter a couple of years ago from a student I met and admitted to Hood College, when I was the Director of Admission.  He thanked me for making a difference in his life and helping him be the success that he had become.  It was the most rewarding moment of my career.

What do you love most about your job? 

The travel, you can send me on the road and I love it.  Every day is a new adventure.  The students I meet.  It is a joy to open their eyes to their opportunities and abilities.  The other admission and college counseling professionals I meet. We all have the same goal and the good ones love what they do regardless of the pay, the hours, and the frustrations. 

What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue leadership (or membership) in PCACAC and/or NACAC? 

Join one committee, you are most interested in, and give it your all.  Being passionate and successful will lead to other leadership opportunities.  And if you want to do something, just speak up and let someone know.  They will help you find a way to your goals

If not working in admissions/college counseling, what else could you see yourself pursuing? I have already held the best jobs EVER, lifeguarding and bar tending/waiting tables.  Since I can’t make a living as a lifeguard, I would like to own my own restaurant someday.

What's one thing that most people don't know about you? 

In a previous life (when I was younger) I was a nationally ranked swimmer and in an Olympic training program.

What advice would you give to someone considering entering the admissions/college counseling profession? 

This is the most rewarding job you can have.  You are making differences in people’s lives every single day.  

Now Accepting Marion Flagg Scholarship Nominations!

What better time than now to consider how you can help others in 2018! The Marion Flagg Scholarship Program gives you the perfect opportunity to provide support to colleagues and friends in the field of college counseling and admissions. 

Named for one of PCACAC's most outstanding members, the Marion Flagg Scholarship is awarded annually to a group of exceptional educational professionals who are not currently members of PCACAC and who have not previously attended a PCACAC conference. PCACAC and its sponsors provide up to TEN scholarships for counselors to attend the 53rd Annual Conference. Self nominations are welcome. 

This scholarship specifically targets counselors who work with historically underserved students, minority students or students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Each scholarship includes one year of free membership in PCACAC, one conference registration, hotel lodging (two nights, in room shared with another scholarship winner of the same gender or 50% of cost of housing if you choose to get a single room), and transportation. 
SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION by February 9, 2018.

The Inclusion, Access and Success Committee oversees the selection of scholarship recipients. Most of these colleagues work with minority populations or students from disadvantaged backgrounds. They may be high school counselors, two- or four-year college admission professionals, independent counselors or individuals working in such programs as KIPP, Upward Bound, the College Success Foundation, AVID, etc.  Selected recipients and their nominators will be notified by March 2, 2018.  Award certificates will be presented to recipients at the 53rd Annual Conference.  Nominee must make every attempt to attend the program if selected.

If you'd like to help support the 53rd Annual Conference, you can give any amount by texting PCACAC53 to 50155.  To partner with us on a specific conference event, visit www.pcacac.org/conferences for the 2018 Prospectus and Sponsoring and Advertising form (a new, easy to complete form!).

Thank you for supporting this professional development opportunity for admission professionals like yourself!

Sincerely,

Rachel Cleaver
Marion Flagg Program Chair

QUESTIONS? We're happy to help!

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Marion Flagg Scholarship Program Chair: Rachel Cleaver, rcleave2@gmu.edu PCACAC Executive Office: Rhonda Douthit, Executive Assistant, info@pcacac.org, 434-989-7557

FINAL DAY to submit your session proposal for PCACAC's 53rd Annual Conference

Today is the last day to submit a session proposal for PCACAC's 53rd Annual Conference at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino in Dover, DE from April 15-17, 2018, but don't worry - you have until midnight tonight!. Whether you've been in the profession for two years, twenty years, or more, we invite you to share your expertise!  

Proposals can be on any area of interest to high school counselors and college admission professionals, including hot topics like those on our list of Suggested Session Topics.  Sessions will be 75 minutes or 7-10-minute "Anchor Talks" (modeled after Ted Talks). Presentations will be on Sunday through Tuesday, April 15-17. PCACAC cannot guarantee a specific date or time of any session presentation.

As in the last two years, PCACAC is offering a special incentive for public high school counselors who are interested in presenting for the first time at a PCACAC conference.  Find out more in the Call for Session Proposals.

Visit www.pcacac.org/conferences to download the Call for Session Proposals, Suggested Session Topics, and submityour proposal via the online Session Proposal Form today! 

If you'd like to support the 2018 Conference, you can give any amount by texting PCACAC53 to 50155.  To partner with us on a specific conference event, visit www.pcacac.org/conferences for the 2018 Prospectus and Sponsoring and Advertising form (a new, easy to complete form!).

Thank you!

Jake Talmage
PCACAC President-elect and Sessions Chair

Questions? We're happy to help!    

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Visit the conference page at www.pcacac.org/conferences
Sessions:  Jake Talmage, Conference Sessions Chair, jtalmage@stpaulsschool.orgConference:  Rosemary Martin, Conference Chair, rmartin@stjohnschs.org
PCACAC office:  Rhonda Douthit, PCACAC Executive Assistant, info@pcacac.org, 434-989-7557