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Table of Contents
A Welcome from MACAC President Aaron Salasek
A Welcome from MACAC President Aaron Salasek
Fall is easily my favorite season of the year. In addition to busting out sweaters from closet depths and sitting around bonfires as the days darken, it’s a time of new school beginnings.
With high schools returning to session and colleges welcoming their incoming classes, the energy is both boundless and full of potential. My favorite thing about the start of the academic school year is the blank slate it brings for us all – students and practitioners – and it’s this potentiality which gives me pause for hope. Hope doesn’t always come easy, though.
The past year in college admissions access was rough, to say the least. From the overturning of years of precedent and the ending of race-conscious admissions last June to the bungled FAFSA rollout and fallout, students and families need re-centering in the admissions’ process in ways they’ve not often needed in past years. Yet amidst these challenges and changes, I remain hopeful because I know exactly whom will help with that re-centering: us. And our intentional community of practitioners is strong and deeply rooted.
The work we collectively do matters, and in times of confusion, it’s even more impactful and necessary. Given the importance of the work and the changing times for the profession, I’ve chosen two primary goals for my presidential year. The first is the convening of a special committee to renew and develop anew our strategic plan as an organization. This was a core component of our August Board meeting, and the work has already begun in earnest. The second focal point is to explore offering new and innovative, member-centered programming while elevating the experience of the organization’s historical events. We plan to achieve the latter through a combination of strategic budget reductions, new program sponsorships and revenue generation streams, and leveraging other organizational assets. To name a few examples, we look forward to launching a re-branded Leadership Development Program 2.0 this year, exploring a MACAC virtual store from which some of the proceeds would make their way back to the organization, and more. While these are future focused initiatives, the past summer months have seen a good deal of work as well.
In terms of some organizational highlights from the summer, we welcomed 11 new Board member positions. We shared information about FAFSA assistance and helped facilitate funding of some of our partners in the community-based organization spaces doing this work directly. We hosted a successful Camp College at Saint Olaf and an Admissions Counselor Institute at Minnesota State University-Mankato. Many of us are getting geared up to learn and engage in community at the NACAC conference in Los Angelos in a few weeks (expect more details to be sent in the week prior to the conference). The energy and efforts are palpable.
And so, I return to hope. Thank you for all you do for students, families, one another, and the profession: we are vibrant because of you. If you are involved already, thank you for your service. If you are interested in getting involved or learning more, please consider joining a committee or reaching out to learn about the various levels and ways of engaging. You are the lifeblood of the organization, and the organization plays such a crucial role in the lives and narratives of those we help guide. I am thankful to you for the work, the energy you bring, the hope you foster. Thank you.
In gratitude,
Aaron
Committee Descriptions
Committee Descriptions
Ever wondered what a MACAC committee is or why you should volunteer? Check out a few of their "elevator pitches" and reach out for more information!
Admissions Practices Committee:
The Admission Practices Committee is charged with educating the membership regarding ethical principles in relation to current practices and procedures in college admissions, as outlined in NACAC's Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission. Most years, we meet 3-4 times and present to the wider MACAC membership about what we are seeing as trends in college admissions that bring up ethical concerns. Our work is timely, interesting, and important, as we educate members about ethical practices even though NACAC can no longer enforce them.
Contact: ap@mn-acac.org
Anti-Racism Committee:
Amidst a national assault on DEI in the workspace and pushes to sweep inequitable power structures under the rug, the work of MACAC's Anti-Racism Committee (ARC) is as crucial as it was at its founding a few years ago. Being part of ARC means connecting with a community who share your values of deconstructing institutional racism and structures of oppression, finding a safe space to vent struggles and troubleshoot challenges in your work and life, and contributing to the discussion of what we as a committee can do to make MACAC and college access an increasingly ethical and equitable space. We'd love to see your face and hear your voice in our committee!
Contact: arc@mn-acac.org
Communication Committee:
By joining the Communication Committee, members have the opportunity to serve all MACAC committees by promoting various events, programs, and initiatives. The majority of responsibilities will consist of writing sections and/or creating graphics for the quarterly newsletter. Additionally, members may choose to participate in occasional social media takeovers.
Contact: comms@mn-acac.org
Government Relations Committee:
The Government Relations Committee focuses on laws and policies impacting the work done by MACAC members. We work mostly at the state level tracking legislation and building connections through Day On The Hill. All members are welcome to participate in Day On The Hill with the Gov Rel committee members planning the scheduled meetings with state representatives and senators to advocate for policies that will help all MACAC members and our students.
Contact: govrel@mn-acac.org
Inclusion, Access, and Success Committee:
Joining the Inclusion, Access, and Success Committee offers a powerful opportunity to make a real difference in students' lives. Our mission is to advocate for equality and ensure all students have access to postsecondary education. As a member, you'll help shape programs that foster supportive environments, promote educational access, and create meaningful opportunities for students and professionals alike.
Contact: ias@mn-acac.org
Member Relations Committee:
Do you enjoy building meaningful connections across the admissions counseling profession? The Member Relations Committee is all about adding value to the member experience, primarily through creating formal and informal experiences for members to share knowledge. Some examples of our impactful projects include the MACAC Mentorship Program, MACAC Chats, and fun social events. We would love to include your energy in the meaningful work we do for MACAC.
Contact: membership@mn-acac.org
Minnesota Education Fairs Committee:
Join the MEF Committee to ensure students around the state have the opportunity to connect with colleges from around the region and country to better understand their college choices by attending a Minnesota Education Fair. Help secondary and post secondary schools host events that are well planned and executed to provide a great experience for students, families, and admissions counselors.
Contact: mefs@mn-acac.org
National College Fair Committee:
The goal of the MACAC National College fair committee is to coordinate the various activities that take place in advance of and at the National College Fair. Due to the nature of the responsibilities, this committee works closely with the NACAC Executive Director of National College Fairs and their event planners. Responsibilities of this committee include: promotion of the fair, awarding transportation grants, scheduling workshops, and coordinating the College & Career Center and volunteers.
Contact: ncf@mn-acac.org
Professional Development Committee:
The Professional Development Committee organizes a series of annual events, including the Admissions Counselor Institute, Fall/Winter Forum, and Spring Conference. These professional development opportunities are designed for school counselors, college/career specialists, and college admission professionals to come together to learn and share best practices for guiding and supporting students. If you are interested in event planning and networking, this is a great committee for you!
Contact: pd@mn-acac.org
Meet the new Board Members
Meet the new Board Members
Welcome to all of our new MACAC committee chairs and elected officials!
Admissions Practices: Andrew Wolf
Admissions Practices: Andrew Wolf
College Counselor & Academic Advisor, Providence Academy
Communications: Jenna Holt
Communications: Jenna Holt
Associate Dean of Admissions & Director of Communications, Carleton College
Board Member at-large: Greta Simons
Board Member at-large: Greta Simons
Associate Director of Transfer Recruitment, University of Minnesota
Government Relations: Nate Dixon
Government Relations: Nate Dixon
College Counselor, Venture Academy
Member Relations: Toni Marie O’Daniel
Member Relations: Toni Marie O’Daniel
College & Scholarship Manager, Hmong College Prep Academy
President-Elect: Jamie Menne
President-Elect: Jamie Menne
School Counselor, Chaska High School
MN Education Fairs: Molly Bonnet
MN Education Fairs: Molly Bonnet
Career and College Coordinator, Forest Lake Area High School
Professional Development: Christine Barnhouse
Professional Development: Christine Barnhouse
Assistant Director of Admissions, University of Saint Thomas
National College Fair: Laura Nelson
National College Fair: Laura Nelson
College Counselor, Cretin-Derham Hall
Secretary: Libby Fahrenkamp
Secretary: Libby Fahrenkamp
Outreach and Communications Coordinator, MN Office of Higher Education
Many thanks to the Office of Higher Education for hosting MACAC's Fall Board Meeting at their St. Paul headquarters! We enjoyed gathering to talk budget and strategies for the upcoming year.
Treasurer-elect: Shawn Reid
Treasurer-elect: Shawn Reid
Director of College Counseling, Shattuck St. Mary's
Grants and Development Committee: GWI Professional Development Grant
Grants and Development Committee: GWI Professional Development Grant
The Grants & Development Committee is committed to providing members and partners with access to professional development opportunities that will support their professional growth. We were thrilled to award Manuel Alanis Andrade (Normandale Community College) and Erica Landers (Edina High School) with the Professional Development Grant to attend Guiding the Way to Inclusion (GWI) 2024!
Manuel Alanis Andrade (Normandale Community College)
Manuel Alanis Andrade (Normandale Community College)
During the conference, I attended several impactful sessions that challenged me to rethink how we support our students. One workshop, in particular, "Serving and Growing as a Latino Leader in College," resonated deeply with me as a Latino, Mexican, student of color, and first-generation student. It was inspiring to hear from other Latinx leaders in higher education about effective strategies for advocating for students like us.
Another highlight of the conference was the session titled "Beyond Attending GWI: Growing in Leadership." This workshop focused on personal and professional development, offering insights from seasoned leaders on how to continually strive for excellence in leadership.
Are there events, committees, and/or individual members that you would like to see featured in future newsletters? Contact the Communication Committee to share your ideas! Email: comms@mn-acac.org.
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