Welcome Back Newsletter

September 2023

MACAC President, Nora Main is the Associate Director of College Counseling at the Blake School. 

A Message from our President, Nora Main
Welcome back and happy fall! 

As we begin a new year — back in our school buildings, or about to hit the road for recruitment travel — I am reminded of the personal and professional significance of the academic calendar. The rhythm, beat, and flow of this cycle has been my constant for most of my life. As we begin again our work with the students we serve, witnessing their optimism about the college process, and their joyful reunions with their teachers and peers, I feel a sense of gratitude and privilege, that we, too, are an integral part of this pattern.
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Our MACAC organization also begins this new year with a sense of optimism knowing that we have weathered the pandemic with strong, vibrant, and mostly critically, fiscally prudent leadership and have emerged in strong financial health. From this position of strength, we were able to continue in-person events and programming that promote the professional development of our members, such as an excellent Spring 2023 Conference and an inspiring Admission Counselor Institute in August. We are continuing to grow our mentorship program as well. Our students and families are at the center of our collective work and the Inclusion, Access, and Success Committee hosted Camp College at the University of Minnesota’s Crookston campus this summer. The participating students’ positive energy, commitment, and passion made this event a great success. We are also gearing up for the National College Fair in October, the largest NACAC fair in the country, as well as the fall sessions of the Minnesota Education Fairs (MEFs). 

The Board and I are committed to advancing MACAC’s mission to support you, as educational professionals, as you guide and counsel students and families in planning for their postsecondary future. We uphold our strategic plan as we work to maintain our strong financial position and further establish ourselves as an ethical, open, accepting, and anti-racist organization.

With my best wishes for a wonderful year!

Table of Contents

ARC Highlight

Hear from Anti-Racism Committee (ARC) Chair, Nigel Simmons (Supplier Diversity Program Specialist at the University of Minnesota) about the committee's plans for the upcoming academic year. Check out future newsletter for regular updates from the ARC Committee.
Welcoming in another exciting year in Minnesota, the Anti-Racism Committee is off to reach new grounds with its members. This fall, the committee will emphasize job likeness and tackling burnout, something that we value solemnly. As admission counselors, we are the cornerstone of the college process and sometimes the job isn't easy. There is no better way to help take care of incoming students in a fair and equitable way than by starting with the professionals who serve them. 

Join the ARC online this September and months ahead to hear more about meetings, raffles, and projects to take to your institution! 

Next meeting: Sept. 19th 11 AM - 12 PM

Summer Events Recap

Guiding the Way to Inclusion

July 24-26, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV

Ja'de Lin Till, Senior Admissions Counselor from the University of St. Thomas reflects on the experience of attending Guiding the Way to Inclusion (GWI) after being awarded one of MACAC's Professional Development Grant, which aims to support admissions professionals hoping to increase their industry knowledge.

"Attending Guiding the Way to Inclusion (GWI) conference was an amazing experience for me in learning how admissions offices all over the country look at and address issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. There were a mix of sessions on topical issues, such as the UNC/Harvard race-conscious admissions practices, as well as discussions identifying the inequalities we perpetuate in our own work on a daily basis. Being able to connect with people all over the country who are all equally invested in and passionate about DEI work was a great opportunity to open up my eyes to the greater world of admissions and how they actively work at their institutions to make the changes we all talk about. I hope more Minnesota admissions professionals will apply for the Professional Development grants to not only enhance in their own careers, but also to connect with others to grow the industry as a whole."

Do you or a colleague want to attend a regional or national conference? Apply for a MACAC Professional Development Grant. New conference dates will be posted soon!  

Admission Counselor Institute

July 24-25, 2023 | Minnesota State University - Mankato

Admission Counselor Institute (ACI) has long been a signature summer conference for MACAC and the Professional Development Committee. Learn more about the ACI experience from four attendees, who are just beginning their admissions careers.

Brittanee Braden
Saint Louis University

ACI was very helpful as I am in my first-year as an admission counselor and it taught me that everyone goes through something similar regardless of territory. ACI allowed me to make new friends and learn how important it is to be surrounded by those who can support you. I am super excited to get more involved with MACAC as the events that are hosted really help with professional development.  

Katy Broin
Bemidji State University

The Admissions Counselor institute was a great experience that provided me the opportunity to make connections with other admissions counselors in Minnesota. Having been in the profession for a year, I was able to relate the sessions to experiences from my first year and gain knowledge that prepared me for my second year as an admissions counselor. I would recommend ACI to anyone who is starting in the admissions counselor profession. 

Collin Bueltel
Minnesota State University - Moorhead

Attending ACI was a fantastic opportunity and one of my favorite work conferences! I was just wrapping up my first full admission cycle when I attended, so it was great to reflect on my experiences with other individuals who are also new to this profession. I met so many wonderful people and can’t wait to see them during travel season! I highly suggest all new admission professionals attend ACI, as you will bring back great ideas, energy, and meeting amazing people! 

Madilyn Lamia
University of Minnesota - Duluth

My experience at ACI was not only refreshing, but reassuring as well. It was great to connect with other counselors who were new to the admissions world as well. You could not have chosen a more exciting opener, as Paulette Bonneur was a fun and informational opening speaker! Thank you for this opportunity, MACAC! 

Fall Look-Ahead

MEF Preparation Guide

With the first Minnesota Education Fair (MEF) almost one week away, the MEF Committee has prepared this guide to ensure attendees — regardless of whether it is their first or twentieth travel season— have a successful fair circuit. 

Review the MEF Schedule here.

Before you go: 

During the fair: 

After the fair ends: 

Interested in planning MACAC's Fall and Spring MEFs, join the committee!

Upcoming Events

Follow MACAC on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the loop about upcoming events and member highlights. 

Need a Laugh?

Meme provided by the Instagram account, @memesofadmissions.

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