Feb 2016 Advocacy Day - NACAC on the Hill

It's hard to believe that all it takes is a simple email to request a meeting with our Senators and Congressional Representatives. One email saying "we would like to meet" and our leaders make every effort to make sure their constituents are heard. Now that's what I call government. 

Members of PCACAC's Government Relations Committee scheduled meetings with several federal lawmakers from MD and VA on Monday, February 29th after the NACAC legislative conference. 

Our agenda was simple: advocate for the guidance counselors and admissions officers that make up our profession and ensure that college bound students have the resources they need to transition smoothly into an institution of higher learning. Our first meeting of the day was with staffers from the offices of Senators Cardin and Mikulski. The day went very well and the legislative aides we met with were receptive and provided us a lot of useful information regarding the current status of the re-authorization of the Higher Education Act, one of the preeminent laws that governs higher education spending. Information packets that contained various information about positions NACAC has taken on education issues, the student-to-counselor ratio by state, and legislation--both past and present--that NACAC supported were distributed. 

All-in-all, we left feeling very accomplished and pleased with the staffers we worked with for the day, a few of which met with us last year as well. We did extend an invitation to all of the offices we met with to come to one of the NACAC fairs being held in and around the DC metro area so they could get a small taste of what NACAC does and is all about. 

What was really defining about our advocacy day on Capital Hill was how attentive the legislators offices were and how easy it was to schedule meetings with them. What I want people to take away from PCACAC's experience on the Hill is that "We the People" actually have a voice, we just need to know what we want to say and not be afraid to march on up to our legislators and say it. We did, in fact, put them in office, right?

- Submitted by Samuel Shoge, Assistant Director of Admissions, Washington College (MD)

2015 Student Support Grant: A trip the the Baltimore NACAC Fair

Our Student Support Grant Experience

Christine Shaughnessy, MEd

School Counselor Daw-Harr, Department Chair

Severna Park High School (MD)

Armed with all of the tools necessary to conquer a college fair, 28 Severna Park High School juniors and seniors embarked on a trip to Baltimore, for the Fall 2015 NACAC College Fair.  The pre-identified group was comprised of African American and FARMS students. The Likert scale indicated a good sense of what schools they would like to apply to, but very little understanding of the process, ways to prepare, how to choose, and they confessed that they had not researched.   After determining that these two student populations were sometimes underprepared to take on the college application process at SPHS, the day was designed to provide students with the knowledge, and confidence to take next steps in selecting a college.  

Students met in the early morning for breakfast, data collection, background information, and guidelines for the day.  They completed a pre-test to assess the comfort level and knowledge of the college admissions world.  During our morning workshop, we covered the basics.  Research would be our main focus for the day, but they would also learn what type of college they might be interested in and how to identify those factors that are most important.  Students reviewed the steps of the admissions process and were given a master list of participating schools.  From there, they designed their own list of eight schools they were to visit with that day.  They were feeling prepared and were excited to head out. 

Upon our arrival, we saw hundreds of eager students waiting for the doors to open.  And, at the strike of 10 am, they rushed off, with maps in hand.  They were on their own!  The two hours went quickly and we met for our lunch and debrief.  The students were elated on the return ride to school.  Conversations about academics, applications, and potential schools were floating through the air.   

When they returned to school, they took their post-test and the results were fantastic.  Cumulatively, the students increased their knowledge base and comfort level by 77%.  The largest gains were in “I know where I want to apply.”  In the future however, improvements would need to include, “I know what to do to prepare.”  Meeting with this targeted group will need to start much earlier.

Thank you so much to PCACAC and the SSG.  Our students were very appreciative!

About Student Support Grant (SSG):

PCACAC recognizes that members may not always have the financial resources to implement student programming.  To address this need, in spring 2013 PCACAC began offering the Student Support Grant (SSG) to help underwrite worthwhile initiatives that directly benefit students in the college transition process.

PCACAC members may apply by early March each year for a Student Support Grant to help fund their own student projects. They may also wish to nominate a community member whose volunteer work nurtures college readiness.  Successful SSG applicants will propose events directly benefiting students, such as trips to college campuses, money for student college counseling or financial aid workshops, and college programs to host prospective student groups.  New and creative ideas are welcome!

2015 Rising Star Award - Public School Counselor Training

photo from the NACAC website: NACAC President Jeff Fuller presents the Rising Star Award to members of the Professional Development Committee Robyn Lady (chair) and Rebekah LaPlante, and Rosemary Martin.

Not only was a PCACAC individual a recipient of a Rising Star Award this year, we also received an award for our professional development efforts with Public School Counselors!

We had a chance to chat with Robyn Lady, chair of the Professional Development committee.

The rising star award honors individuals and programs that exemplify excellence and dedication to serving the needs of students in the transition from high school to college. How do you feel being offered this opportunity by your peers and colleagues?  

I was delighted to learn that Kelly Farmer, immediate Past-President of PCACAC, wanted to submit a Rising Star nomination for the Professional Development (PD) work that we have been doing for public school counselors in our region. Being selected by NACAC for the award was absolutely wonderful. There is nothing better than be recognized by peers in a profession full of passionate people who are all doing fabulous work.

Can you briefly describe the Public School Counselor Trainings that won the award? 

I have been working in public schools throughout my entire career. As a former counselor and now as the Director of Student Services at Chantilly High School, where I supervise 12 counselors, I am well aware of the need to provide College Admission Counseling training to counselors who work in this setting. All public school counselors have a Masters Degree in school counseling; however, most of them never had a class in college admissions counseling.  Public school counselors are provided little to no funding for PD outside of the actual school system. To that end, with the support from the PCACAC Board, I set out to provide free trainings throughout our region. Most of these trainings take place during a “teacher work day”, when there are no students in the building, enabling counselors to access the training more easily.  The PD committee reached out to several public school systems in VA and MD and provided full day trainings for several of them. The largest two took place in VA.  Last March we trained 120+ Middle and High School counselors in Prince William County and this past August we trained 130+ from Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover Counties in VA. It is our hope that this award will result in more public school systems in VA, WV, MD, DE, and DC to contact us to develop and deliver quality PD to even more counselors throughout our affiliate.

Our profession needs good people to be stewards of access and education. What issue are you most passionate about concerning college counseling and admissions?  

It is hard to pick one issue.  I think the best answer is “I am passionate about the transformative power of a college education” and in turn steadfastly committed to doing everything I can to help more students and families, not only get admitted to college, to stay the course and graduate, and with as little debt possible.

What’s next on the PD committee horizon? What issues do you want to tackle in 2016?

The PD Committee is busy planning upcoming events. We hope to get called upon to plan more public school events for January, March/April and perhaps June.  We also presented at the Virginia School Counselors Association conference. We plan to reach out to colleges that have a Masters Degree in School Counseling degree and hope to train the students in the program. We welcome the opportunity to develop a training or workshop to meet any other PD needs in our region.

What advice to you have to share for others looking to pursue their passions and make a mark in the admissions world?

I challenge everyone to continue to push their own limits. Rome wasn’t built in a day. It takes all of us to keep the college dream alive for all students. Think creatively, work hard and embrace the opportunity to serve. Continue to use your talents for good in this profession, celebrate your successes and know that you all make a difference every day.

2015 Rising Star - Rosemary Martin

Each year during the National Conference, NACAC presents Rising Star Awards. This year, PCACAC leader and member Rosemary Martin (Assistant Director, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, University of Maryland) was the recipient of an individual award!

According to the NACAC website,

The Rising Star Award honors individuals and programs that exemplify excellence and dedication to serving the needs of students in the transition from high school to college. 

This award encourages NACAC affiliates to look within their associations, identify and nurture those new members and programs that are deserving of this honor and also encourage the honorees to continue their professional development through membership in NACAC.

We got the chance to sit down with our Rising Star Award recipient Rosemary Martin.

Can you briefly share your admissions experience here (when and where you started, all of your movement).

Like many in our profession, I fell into the world of college admissions. After I graduated from Shenandoah University in 2008, I began to work in the IT industry for a DOD contractor named Iron Mountain. One day I realized this was not my calling (the computers did not speak back to me and I lacked human interaction), I decided to call my college advisor and ask her how to make a career move back to the Communications world. 

She had just received a job notice from the Office of Admissions at SU that they had a position on their newly-developed communication team. Knowing that Shenandoah had once been home to me, I knew it was a good opportunity. At SU I held many responsibilities that included developing the brand and finding different platforms and avenues to spread the SU message.

I also held a small recruiting territory which is where I absolutely fell in love with college admissions recruiting. I knew that although I loved the technology and media side to my position that there was something special about working directly with students and families. About three years later, the opportunity to work with Purdue University as their DC area representative was presented to me. I knew moving to a bigger university and becoming a regional representative would be a great career change. I was with Purdue for almost two years and now have taken a position as the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Maryland. 

The rising star award honors individuals and programs that exemplify excellence and dedication to serving the needs of students in the transition from high school to college. How do you feel being offered this opportunity by your peers and colleagues?

I feel incredibly honored and humbled to know that my peers and colleagues recognize the small but large strides I have made. Especially when I know there are so many of us in our affiliate and other affiliates across the nation doing some ground breaking and life changing work. I am excited to continue to brainstorm and work hard to continue to do work that my peers and colleagues respect and are supportive of. The possibilities are endless!

What thoughts went through your mind when your name was called to receive the award?

Honestly, Si Se Puede! I also hoped that somewhere in the grand universe my parents were able to see me on that stage and knew all their efforts migrating to this great nation did not go unrewarded nor unnoticed. Unfortunately, they passed away prior to being able to see me accomplish a lot of things and I, like many other migrants to this country, appreciate all of the efforts and sacrifices they put forth to give us these types of opportunities. I also thought about how lucky I am to have such a supportive affiliate that embraces each of our accomplishments. They were in the crowd cheering me on which felt fabulous! Lastly, I thought, man I hope I don’t trip as I go onto this stage!

Our profession needs good people to be stewards of access and education. What issue are you most passionate about concerning college counseling and admissions?

Inclusion and Access is something I am very passionate about. Being a first generation Latina and experiencing what it is like to go through the college search and enrollment process have fueled my fire at this moment. I do a lot of work with the Latino community ensuring they are well informed and have all the resources they need to be able to have a successful journey. I am excited to see where my efforts as well as my colleagues that share the same passion can impact the future for Latino students across the board.

What’s next for you professionally? Where would you like to see yourself in 5-10 years?

In 5-10 years I hope to see myself continuing in the college admissions world. I would ultimately one day serve in leadership and be able to share all of my experiences and excitement with a team of great individuals.

What advice to you have to share for others looking to pursue their passions and make a mark in the admissions world?

You will hear people say time and time again to get out there and get involved. It’s true! Decide where your passion lies and get excited about it. Think outside of the box and decide how you are going to make a difference. Don’t be afraid to dream and dream big and go for it! It’s all about how much time and effort you are willing to put in. We are all busy in this industry but we cannot forget that we are here for the students and we have the power to make a difference in the future of each of their lives. Even the smallest effort can be life changing for some.

Just for fun, what’s one thing about you that most people don’t know?

I love music. Like LOVE music. My favorite types of music are definitely Punk Rock, Jam band music, Latin music, and old school Hip Hop.  Everyone already knows I like to dance so that cat is out of the bag! 

Congratulations to Rosemary, we look forward to your continued leadership in PCACAC!