Good afternoon everyone,

My name is Jamie Menne and I am a PUBLIC high school counselor at Chaska High School.  I emphasize "public" because anyone who has worked with me on a committee knows how passionate I am about the role of the public school counselor in college access.  

I am deeply honored and humbled to accept the role of President of the Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling. Sharing with you you today, I feel the weight of this responsibility—but more than that, I feel immense gratitude.

First, I have gratitude for my colleagues at my high school, who remind me every day what it means to serve students with compassion, dedication, and unshakable belief in their potential. Thank you for giving me that same level of compassion, dedication and belief in my potential. 

Secondly, I have gratitude for my fellow MACAC members; your trust in me is something I do not take lightly.  When I first joined MACAC back in 2015, I was inspired by some of the “greats” in our profession, while also feeling a sense of inadequacy and that I didn’t belong. Instead of listening to my fears and running away,  I decided to surround myself with these legends to learn and become a better school counselor for my students.  

Finally, I have immense gratitude for the students, who inspire all of us to keep learning, growing, and pushing the system to be more equitable and inclusive.

As a public school counselor, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges our students face—many of them navigating not just the admissions process, but systemic barriers that were never designed with them in mind. I've sat beside first-generation college hopefuls, undocumented students, students from rural communities, and students of color who carry both dreams and doubts. And every time, I’ve seen how the right information, the right encouragement, and the right access can change a life.

That's why our work matters.

MACAC is more than an organization—it's a community of professionals committed to equity, access, and collaboration across all types of institutions. In this moment of national change and local challenge, we have an opportunity to continue advocating not only for best practices in admission counseling but for a better, more just system for every student in Minnesota.

As I said before, I am a passionate “public” school counselor.  Looking over the list of past MACAC presidents, there have been only seven public school counselors that served as the President of MACAC in my lifetime.  

Among my presidential goals, I hope to increase the engagement of our public school counselors within MACAC because I have seen first hand how transformational this organization has been for me.  

Over the coming year, I also hope to elevate the voices you have all shared with the implementation of our new Strategic Plan in the fall.  I hope to strengthen our partnerships across the high school and higher ed landscape, support professional development like the Spring Conference, and increase the engagement of our membership. The work of MACAC is valuable and necessary for our students and families, but it takes hard work from all of us to make it happen.  

Let’s remind ourselves: every student deserves to feel seen, heard, and believed in. And every counselor, regardless of where they work, deserves support and respect for the life-changing work they do.

Thank you for trusting me with this role. I’m ready to get to work—with all of you.

The Opening Session: The Future Is This Moment We Make, on Thursday set the tone for the rest of the conference. Conversations centered on intersecting realities that impact our work, including mental health, access to basic needs, shifting public perceptions of higher ed, and the influence of the current political climate.

This theme of confronting change continued with Friday’s keynote session, led by Dr. Wendy Robinson, Assistant Commissioner for Programs, Policy, and Grants at the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. With 25 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Robinson offered a timely and compelling overview of the policy shifts shaping our profession. She reminded us that while the landscape may be shifting beneath out feet, the work we do matters—and a strong, accessible system of higher education is a public good worth fighting for.

The breakout sessions at this year’s Spring Conference showcased the range of expertise and creativity within our profession. In “The Community College Path: Five Secrets for Student Success,” Judy Johnson offered an affirming and practical look at the transfer process. Meanwhile, Emily Owens led “Ready or Not: AI Skills for Today, Strategies for Tomorrow” and dove into the rapidly evolving role of AI in admissions and counseling. This session left attendees buzzing with ethical considerations, innovative ideas, and actionable strategies to thoughtfully integrate AI into their work.

Other sessions offered both technical know-how and personal insight. “Financial Aid Tips, Tricks, and Little Known Facts” was led by Libby Fahrenkamp, who shared resources designed to empower both families and professionals. Her message was clear: you're not alone—reach out, ask questions, and take advantage of the support offered by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. One of the most interactive sessions, “Cutting through the Noise: Helping Families Internalize College Admissions Advice through Data,” used visual data and even Legos to explore how students and families internalize admissions advice. We walked away with a renewed understanding of the emotional and information overload students face—and how we can be clearer, more effective guides in their journey.

Whether you left with new tools, deeper understanding, or simply feeling re-energized, the experience reaffirmed the power of coming together as a professional community.