We are thrilled to have Jamie Menne stepping into the role of President for MACAC this coming school year. Click to read more directly from Jamie on how passionate she is about college access within the public school system.
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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 2025 MACAC Spring Conference was held on Thursday, May 8, and Friday, May 9, at the Hyatt Regency in Bloomington, MN. Over the course of two days, professionals from across the state gathered to learn, collaborate, and strengthen their shared commitment to supporting students and the field of college admissions. While many contributed to the conference’s success, a heartfelt thank-you to the Professional Development Committee tri-chairs—Emily Albright, Janelle Sperry, and Christine Barnhouse—for their thoughtful leadership and tireless efforts in organizing a wonderfully engaging event!
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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.
Twenty-five MACAC members gathered on March 6, 2025 for the annual Day on the Hill event for advocacy in higher education. This year’s priorities included advocating for student support personnel aid and safe schools funding, as well as increasing or expanding eligibility for State Grant funding. Headlines that morning broke with news of projected budget deficits that would impact these initiatives. From MPR News that morning, “Minnesota finance officials reported Thursday on worsening in the state’s budget picture in the near term and down the road, saying a small fiscal cushion had shrunk and a future potential deficit has grown. State lawmakers now have just $456 million in wiggle room for the upcoming budget, barring no changes. It’s about a 25 percent smaller than the prior estimate.”
With 40 different meetings with legislators scheduled, volunteers crafted their messages and made pivots, as the news of deficits and where those cuts would occur would influence many of the day’s conversations. Despite the unpredicted start, conversations remained positive, and everyone reported having meaningful dialogue with nearly every legislator. MACAC’s Government Relations committee works to try to pair constituents with their local legislators, making these conversations much more personal and impactful.
As Governor Walz and lawmakers strike a budget deal, the Day on the Hill event feels successful. From Government Relations co-chair Sam Kelly, “there are plans to increase the Minnesota State Fund (or at least not cut it) and more money is going to high schools that can be used for support staff.” For next year’s Day on the Hill event, MACAC hopes to see more volunteers to continue to raise awareness of the issues that our profession faces.
Congratulations to all of our 2025 winners!
Show on the Road, hosted by the Inclusion, Access, and Success Committee at St. Olaf College this February, brought together 30 attendees for a day filled with learning and collaboration.
Engaging roundtable discussions sparked meaningful conversations about how to best support students through today’s challenges, including how to respond to the changing landscape since the presidential inauguration. Sessions on ACT/SAT updates, Insights from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, and Disability Services in Higher Education offered helpful information from knowledgeable presenters.
St. Olaf was a wonderful host, and we were glad to offer CEUs to about half of the attendees. And a thank you to the generosity of MACAC, five MACAC memberships were given away for the upcoming year.
We’re already looking forward to the next Show on the Road in early spring 2026!
Whether you're just wrapping up your first travel season or getting ready to hit the road for the first time, MACAC’s Annual Admission Counselor Institute (ACI) is an invaluable opportunity to grow your skills and deepen your understanding of college admissions counseling!
ACI is designed specifically for new admissions professionals—typically those with one to two years of experience. Past sessions have explored:
· New tools to enhance your daily work
· How to deepen your understanding of challenges in admissions
· The value of connecting with a professional community
You’ll connect with fellow professionals from two- and four-year institutions across Minnesota, forming relationships that often grow into lasting support networks as your career evolves. Chances are, you’ll be tabling next to these same folks at college fairs for years—swapping travel stories and bonding over the eternal hunt for decent Wi-Fi.
While your home institution’s training likely lays a strong foundation, ACI is designed to supplement that learning by helping you see the bigger picture—how your role fits into the wider admissions landscape, and how you can make an impact from day one.
We encourage you to share this opportunity with your team. And if you’re a new admissions counselor yourself, consider this your invitation to join a welcoming, dynamic learning opportunity designed just for you!
Beginning in April 2025, students taking the ACT online in the U.S. will see a new format. Those taking the exam in person will see changes starting in September 2025. So, what’s changing?
Reduced Number of Questions: There are 44 fewer questions overall.
Shortened Test Time: Students can receive their college-reportable Composite score after 125 minutes of testing versus the original 195 minutes.
More Time per Question: Students will be allowed more time to answer each question.
Reduced Answer Choices for Math Questions: The number of choices for math questions will go from 5 to 4.
Science Test is Optional: Students can choose to take the ACT with or without the science section.
Some aspects of the ACT will remain the same, including the ACT scale (1-36), prior test scores will remain unchanged, no impact on predicting first-year college success, and both paper and online tests will still be offered.
Camp College | June 15-17 | St. Olaf College
Admissions Counselor Institute | TBD
Guiding the Way to Impact | July 29-31 | Atlanta, GA
National Conference | September 18-20 | Columbus, OH
National College Fair | October 7-8 | Minneapolis, MN
Follow MACAC on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the loop about upcoming events and member highlights. Information can also be found on MACAC's Programs and Events page.
Director of College Counseling - Murray Hill School
Director of Financial Aid - Michigan Technological University
Admissions Counselor - UW-La Crosse
Director of Recruitment and Outreach - Luther College
New Student Transition Manager - UW-River Falls
Director of Undergraduate Admission - Butler University
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.