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FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT:


Welcome to autumn!

As I approach my 12th travel season and the half-way point of the MACAC Presidency, I am in awe of our colleagues! During the NACAC Annual Conference in Boston, we were able to approve a newNACAC Code of Ethics and Professional Practices, and the MACAC general meeting and reception held during the conference was well received and attended. Also during the Conference, MACAC received the NACAC Rising Star Award for the Professional Development program “Women in Admissions”, and our very own Sarah Summerhill received the NACAC Government Relations Award.

Back home in Michigan, we are working to create more awareness (in all aspects), professional development opportunities, NACAC National College Fairs, and a great annual spring conference that will be held in March! If you are looking for an opportunity to get involved, I encourage you to complete the “Call for Volunteers” form, or contact me directly! I would love to connect you with a committee.

Perhaps this is your 1stor 30thtravel season…..application season….or “please change my class” season! Whichever this season brings to you, I want to you know that MACAC is here for you, and cheering you on as we work to serve all students as they make choices about pursuing post-secondary education!

LaShaunta Hairston
MACAC President 2017-2018




UPDATES FROM NACAC 2017

On Saturday, September 16th, your MACAC delegate team gathered at the NACAC National Assembly meeting in Boston to vote on a successor document to our profession’s ethical principles.  This new document is titled, “SPGP: NACAC’s Code of Ethics and Professional Practices” and represents the first overhaul of the profession’s ethics and codes since 2007.  It provides guidance and a code of ethics to guide all postsecondary professionals from both sides of the desk as they guide students.

Lead by Todd Rinehart from the University of Denver and including a 20-member committee, the SPGP was presented and voted in unanimously by the Assembly delegates and went into effect immediately.  The redesigned document provides procedures and policies guiding issues such as stronger language confirming the May 1st Candidate Reply date, prevention of unethical recruitment of students and clearer language for colleges who contract with commissioned agents for international recruitment.  Transparency and truthfulness as a ruling principle is a theme throughout the document.  The new SPGP can be found at www.nacac.org.

Your Presidential Cycle of Eva Dodds (Past President), LaShaunta Hairston (President), and Holly Bennetts (President Elect), along with elected delegates Judith Stahl and Tyrone Collins were proud to wave the Michigan banner at this Assembly meeting.  Pictured below is your MACAC delegate team!


SARAH SUMMERHILL WINS NACAC AWARD!
MACAC Government Relations Co-Chair Sarah Summerhill is the recipient of the 2017 NACAC Government Relations Award. An assistant director of admissions at Michigan State, Sarah has been involved with government relations for ten years, and founded MACAC’s award-winning Advocacy Day program, where members meet in Lansing to discuss issues of importance with elected officials.

Sarah was recognize by NACAC for her innovative work at the state level, which includes the founding of Advocacy Day, and her support of a host of legislative efforts. Her recognition was also due to her work as Chair of NACAC’s Government Relations Committee for three years. During this time, Sarah worked to bring new life to the national Advocacy Day, which tripled in size during Sarah’s service as committee chair.

Sarah received her award at the NACAC General Membership Meeting in Boston on September 16.


UPDATES ON THE 2017 ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

CALLING ALL SESSION PROPOSALS!
Submit your session proposal for the 2018 Annual Conferencehere!

Greetings MACAC Membership!

The MACAC Conference Committee has been diligently working toward providing you, our members, a Professional Development opportunity that will challenge, support and reinvigorate you. One of the conscious decisions we have made is to begin dialog regarding race and culture in the admissions process. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has taken steps toward this important dialog over the past year. I was honored and humbled to spend time this summer in a workshop dedicated to Cultural Fluency at the Affiliate Presidents’ Leadership Development Institute. Dr. Shaun Harper was the keynote speaker at the National Conference this month and his message challenged all of to look at how the background of the student may influence the college path. To this end, we are pleased to announceMr. David Gamlinas our conference keynote. Mr. Gamlin serves as Vice President of Midnight Golf and is involved with CAMP Enterprise which is an entrepreneur boot camp for high school students.

In this edition of the MUSE there are two items related to our annual conference: 1). Save the Date and 2). Call for Programs. Attending sessions is a wonderful way to learn from others. Presenting is also an excellent professional development opportunity. Think about the discussions you have with your colleagues. Do you have a particular set of knowledge that others tend to seek out your advice? If so, consider presenting at our conference!

Holly Bennetts
President-Elect


UPDATES FROM GOVERNMENT RELATIONS:

Does Government Need to Hear From You?

A scan of the headlines from the last few months reminds us of how much college admissions is changing:

·Updated rules on what students may come to study in the US
·Changes in the FAFSA online verification tool
·A plan in Lansing to create a College Promise Zone in Flint
·Plans for every student in Chicago Public Schools to have a postsecondary plan of actionas a graduation requirement

This means that change is ongoing. The real question is, should professionals be part of the change, or should professionals wait to react once the change has occurred?

MACAC’s Government Relations Committee is eager to help be the change our profession wants, and your help is needed to help us reach that goal.We rarely meet as a team, and our work is sometimes time-sensitive—but the difference can be felt throughout the profession.

To find out more about the opportunities for leadership and growth in Government Relations, contactpoconnor@cranbrook.edu


MACAC Testifies in Lansing

MACAC members have had the opportunity to speak on behalf of two important pieces of legislation currently before the Michigan Legislature. In mid-September, counselors Lucas Inman of Grandville High School and Dr. Virginia Krolczyk of Utica High School testified before the Senate Education Committee on House Bill 4181. This bill would modify the current professional development requirements for school counselors, ensuring that school counselors receive the latest information on career and college trends and programs in Michigan.

MACAC Government Relations co-chair Patrick O’Connor addressed the House Education Committee this spring on a bill designed to create a Promise Zone for Flint. If passed, this bill would allow Flint to receive public funds that would create a college fund for all students graduating from Flint schools, similar to those established by several other cities in Michigan.

These opportunities to testify are only part of the work MACAC’s Government Relations Committee coordinates on behalf of our members. If you are interested in joining in this important work, contact Patrick O’Connor atpoconnor@cranbrook.edu

UPDATES FROM THE MEMBERSHIP TEAM:


The Membership committee welcomes you to the 2017-2018 School year!

You already knowyourreasons for joining MACAC….

 

Staying Connected
Staying Informed
Taking Action

……..if you know any secondary school counselors, admissions professionals or other individuals who assist with the college admissions process, please take the time to encourage them to join this amazing organization and become active in the many opportunities MACAC has to offer!

We would like to welcome our newest MACAC Members:

Berry Educational, LLC
Brother Rice High School
Capital University
Jason Bock
John Carroll University
Kennedy High School
Knights of Columbus - Catholic College Night
Marietta College
St. Lawrence University
Sweet Briar College
Tone Holland
University of Kansas
University of Saint Francis
University of Tampa
Villanova University

Thanks to those of you who have already renewed your membership for the 2017-2018 year!

If you would like to save time and renew your membership for multiple years,
please contact Zay Reynolds at:admin@macac.org

For more information on joining MACAC, please contact:

Colleen Moore
Membership Co-Chair
313-993-1592
moorec@udmercy.edu

Jen Foldvary
Membership Co-Chair
734-241-7622
jfoldvary@smccmonroe.com



CALL FOR MENTORS!

Do you have passion to support a new professional in our field? The MACAC Professional Development committee hosts a mentoring program to support new admissions or college counseling professionals and encourage collaboration throughout the year. We currently have8new staff awaiting mentors! Will you please commit to supporting one? Mentors and mentees determine their mentorship goals together and successful pairs are eligible for prizes at the annual conference in the Spring!

Please follow the registration linkhere. Questions? Feel free to reach out to Amanda Blanchette atajillhar@umich.eduor Lauren Flanagan atldflanag@mtu.edu. We would love to help you grow as a professional and expand your network.

INTERNATIONAL KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY

This year, NAFSA: Association of International Educators Region V’s conference is in Detroit, MI. This conference is an excellent learning opportunity for those who have international student concerns. The topics include international enrollment management, study abroad, and international student support. They are featuring a workshop on “F-1 Advising: Secondary Students” on Wednesday, October 18.

The cost for this session varies depending on membership status, but should be around $230. The general conference runs October 18-20 and Early Bird registration is $225 for members and $275 for non-members. Early Bird registration ends September 25. Please visitNAFSA Region V 2017 Conferencefor more information on hotels, rates, and registration.