Spring is a really stressful time in our world. College admission staff are wearing themselves out hoping to have enough students committed by May 1, and high schools are buzzing with standardized testing and students are being crushed by college decisions, homework, and exams. It’s exhausting as the end of the academic year draws closer.

But as I sit inside my house with the air conditioning running, I am reminded of the joy and celebration that takes place this time of year as well. My daughter, a junior in high school, is having her prom dress altered… it’s getting real. And all of us in this line of work get to enjoy commencement season, from watching our students walk across the stage to eating all of the food at graduation parties. Working with students is so incredibly rewarding, especially when we get to celebrate their success.

I’m getting a sense of that same kind of renewal and celebration working with my fellow MACAC board members over the past few months too. We have been back in classrooms, Camp College, college fairs, MACAC chats, committee meetings, and conferences. It feels good to be planning productively for the future again. NACAC has emerged from significant change over the past few years and is moving forward to harness the energy and creativity of its members along with working to cultivate the next generation of professionals and leaders in college admission. Our state affiliate is also moving forward with exciting new ways of engaging our members and advocating for students, but more hands make less work.

I want to encourage each of you to take some time to celebrate your students this spring and to pat yourself on the back for the hard work you have accomplished in the last year. I want you all to attend the MACAC Spring Conference in Minneapolis May 15 and 16 to catch up with friends and colleagues and share your experiences. I want you to hear from our amazing MACAC board members about what their committees have been up to this year and then I want you to pick a committee or event and sign up to serve on it next year. I’m only asking you to pick one — you have a lot going on! But you won’t regret the impact, and the fun, you will have.

I have worked with students in the role of associate director of college counseling at The Blake School in Minneapolis since 2017. I joined Blake after fifteen years working in the office of admission at Macalester College, my alma mater, where I served in a variety of roles including associate director of admissions. 

When I began two decades ago in our shared professions, I was inspired to learn that our organization exists due to the conscientious, impactful work of our members. Members of MACAC place at the center of our work the care and stewardship of our students and families. We support their individual journeys and collectively, we provide the educational infrastructure so they can forge their futures. MACAC thrives and evolves for the good of our membership and our students alike as we further establish us as an ethical, open, accepting, and anti-racist organization. 

We conduct our important work in a secondary and post-secondary landscape that bears the weight of accelerated change and unprecedented challenges. I continue, however, to be invigorated by the vision and execution of MACAC’s mission to not only address these pressing issues but to serve as a vanguard as we act to solve them. Our membership across Minnesota is fundamentally at the heart of our organization and your deep commitment and active engagement propel us forward.  

I am proud to be part of these endeavors and I am honored to serve as your President and help lead our organization forward.

We look forward to seeing you at Spring Conference and celebrating the end of another successful academic year! 

First-Timers Guide

Attending Spring Conference or a MACAC conference for the fist time? Not sure what to expect? Take note of some tips from MACAC members. Feel free to ask members in your own offices for advice as well. 

• If detailed schedules are available, browse the sessions before you go. This will help you develop a game plan as you tackle the day.  

• If you're comfortable, break off from your team and go to a session on your own. It's a great way to meet new people and learn through what other professionals are experiencing in their offices. 

• Have a debrief with your team! Share what you learned with each other to make the most of all the knowledge people bring to these events. 

• Go to the social(s) — even if it's just for a little bit! There's always free food and drinks. Additionally, it is another chance to network and get to know people in a low stakes environment. 

• Don't forget to bring business cards and a notebook. 

To learn more about Spring Conference and how to get involved with planning of professional development opportunities, visit the MACAC Website. 

Camp College 2022 participants ask questions and learn about Minnesota colleges and universities during a college fair. 

Meme provided by the instagram account, @memesofadmissions