Winter 2023 Newsletter
Happy New Year from MACAC🎉
Committee Spotlight: Anti-Racism Committee
Communication Committee member, Brandon Wente spoke with Anti-Racism Committee (ARC) tri-chairs (past and present) about receiving the NACAC Rising Star Award and goals going forward. Additionally, current ARC tri-chairs shared a message to MACAC members about initiatives for the 2023 new year.
Rhemi Abrams-Fuller, Sunet Rubalcava, and Tse Chi “Chad” Yen at the 2022 NACAC Conference in Houston, TX
Jolene Young (second right) and Nigel Simmons (right) pose with other MACAC leadership at the 2022 fall board meeting. One of the goals for the ARC is increased collaboration with other committee chairs.
The ARC's Work is Never Done
In August 2021, MACAC gained the newly-formed Anti-Racism Committee (ARC), which didn’t just hit the ground running, but galloped toward their goals of positive change within the organization. The ARC, helmed by Rhemi Abrams-Fuller, Sunet Rubalcava, and Tse Chi “Chad” Yen, tasked themselves with three main initiatives: crafting an addendum to the MACAC strategic plan, creating a land acknowledgement statement MACAC members can reference and use, and developing an Anti-Racist Toolkit to be housed on the MACAC website for secondary and post-secondary members. These tasks were quickly yet thoughtfully executed within the academic year, and by August 2022 it was announced that the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) would be recognizing MACAC’s Anti-Racism Committee with the Rising Start Award. The last time a MACAC member has been recognized with a national award was Anne Pabst receiving the John B. Muir Editor Award in 2011.
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“One national award does not mean we are done with the work. It means we are being held accountable to continue doing anti-racism work every day and everywhere we go,” says past committee tri-chair Sunet Rubalcava.
Chatting with current tri-chair Rachael Harvey, that sentiment is certainly true. Together with Nigel Simmons and Jolene Young, the current committee chairs are focused on making sure that our organization operates ethically within its missions, from internal operations like how we manage investments, to member-facing opportunities like access to trainings.
“All of us were excited to explore where we could go next," Rachael Harvey says.
The ARC is continually seeking new members to join the committee. “The biggest thing [committee members] can expect to have is a voice,” was Rachael’s immediate pitch. Though the work of the committee may focus on MACAC and its members, there’s still the chance for individual self-reflection and growth. All MACAC members should keep an eye out for educational opportunities on the horizon, slated for March and April. We look forward to the continued success of the Anti-Racism Committee.
A Message to Members from the ARC Tri-Chairs
The Anti-Racism Committee (ARC) exists out of necessity and will function as both a barometer and a promoter of equity within the MACAC organization. The committee will question and challenge existing systems of oppression and exclusion through work with the organization's annual strategic plan and approach to member recruitment and engagement (among other things). ARC members will engage deeply with anti-racist ideas and materials while simultaneously working to uplift, equip, and empower those who have been historically marginalized (and thus underrepresented) in Admissions committee and leadership positions.
After Receiving the Rising Star Award for their Anti-Racism Tool Kit, Land Acknowledgement Statement and more, the Committee has been back hard at work to keep the foot on the gas. The ARC is working on divesting from Wells Fargo while looking to support the other MACAC committees to bring inclusion wherever it can be. As they tackle the biases and challenges within college admissions, the ARC is always looking for areas to support the community. If you or someone you know has an event or idea to bring diversity, equity and inclusion to your community contact the ARC to see how we can help!
For more information about the work of the Anti-Racism Committee and how to join, email arc@mn-acac.org.
Save the Date:
Day on the Hill Returns!
Wednesday, Feb. 15
“MACAC members should consider joining us for our first post-pandemic Day on the Hill because it is a chance to share the importance of MACAC's work with legislators, and advocate for programs and funding that support students and counselors across the state of MN."
-Andrew Schindler, Government Relations Co-Chair
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What is Day on the Hill? This annual event gives members an opportunity to meet with their legislators at the Minnesota State Capitol to advocate for students and policies as well as share the importance of MACAC's work.
During the legislative session, legislators work on a number of topics. Many of these are relevant to our professional roles in college admissions and counseling, and affect things like state grant funding, counselor and support staff funding, and equity issues in education.
What should participants expect? Meetings with legislators are in small groups, are brief (10-15 minutes), and the personal stories of our members always have a great impact. The event will take place from 9 am-3 pm.
Is policy/legislative experience required? No previous experience is necessary; however, the Government Relations Committee will provide training the morning of the event.
MACAC's Day on the Hill will return for its first in-person event since before the COVID-19 Pandemic. For more information about this event or how to get involved with Government Relations Committee, email govrel@mn-acac.org.
School Counselor Corner
It’s no surprise that high school college and career counselors are busy during the winter months. With college application deadlines right around the corner, high school counselors are doing everything they can to help their students shine and stand out. Communications Committee member, Molly had the pleasure of connecting with BG Tucker, Director of College & Career Counseling at Venture Academy in Minneapolis, and Sara Zimmerman, College Counselor at Saint John’s Prep School in Collegeville to get some updates on what is happening in their worlds.
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What does a typical workday look like in the winter?
BG: In the mornings, I am the lead teacher of three 45 minutes sections of senior seminar. This allows me to get face time with seniors and have space built into their schedule where I can help them with their college applications. We work through monthly to-do lists in the fall, and this helps them stay on track with the application process as we encourage students to finish their college applications before winter break.
In the afternoons, I’m usually doing one-on-one meetings with students, staff/faculty, admission representatives and college partners, etc.
Sara: We have a staff meeting at 7 a.m., and after that I am usually responding to e-mails or meeting with students one-on-one. I meet with anywhere from 3-12 students one-on-one every day. Last week, I helped high school students choose their interim courses and did a college prep session debrief for the PSAT, so every week looks a little different. I am frequently pushing scholarship applications this time of year!
What are some trends or observations you’ve had as you’ve been working with students this app cycle?
BG: I am really appreciative that most colleges in Minnesota are test optional. Even though we are a testing site, it can be difficult to get kids to prepare for and take the ACT.
One observation that people in higher education may not always realize is that there are massive gaps in learning, not just academic, but also social emotional development, habits of success, etc. A lot of my seniors are at a 10th grade level with some of those things. We work closely with our alumni, and many of them are struggling in higher ed because they were admitted to an institution, but the institution isn’t able to meet them where they are at. It is clear that higher education is in a place of change right now, and hopefully they come out on the right side of it.
Sara: The class of 2023 is the most proactive in applying to colleges compared to the past three years. However, they are less confident and prepared in some ways (academically, socially, mental wellness gaps).
College admissions in the U.S. gets more complicated every year: test optional, Early Decision 1 & 2, trying to stand out on an application, supplemental essays, applying through the common app, etc. This can be really hard for our students to navigate, and they need more support than ever.
What do you hope college admission counselors keep in mind as they review your students this year?
BG: I know that higher education can definitely be siloed, but I do think there is an opportunity where admission counselors can be gate openers for the students they admit so they can share important information with freshman seminar teachers, student service staff, etc.
It would be great if colleges could make their admissions offices have wrap-around support for at least the first year and give staff the capacity to do that. I would love if higher education revisited the whole first year experience and created cohorts or communities within freshman classes to really help with their transition to be a successful college student.
Sara: These students haven’t had as many opportunities since a lot of their high school education was impacted by the pandemic. This graduating class has struggled more to find balance over the past few years, but they are excited for college!
One tip: students aren’t great at checking their e-mails, so texting is always better if that’s an option. Another request is to make the application portals as clear as possible with their checklist and next steps. They can be confusing for students, so the clearer the better.
BG Tucker, Director of College & Career Counseling at Venture Academy
Sara Zimmerman, College Counselor at Saint John’s Prep School
2022 Fall Forum Wrap-Up
Thank you to all who attended MACAC's Fall Forum. Similar to previous years, attendees spent the day receiving updates on industry and policy trends and changes; engaging conversations surrounding the ethics of our work; and connecting with colleagues from both the secondary, post-secondary, independent, and vendor worlds. Many thanks to the Professional Development Committee, Norma Gutierrez, Casey Erickson, and the rest of the Saint Thomas Academy staff for hosting a successful event.
Stay tuned for more information regarding MACAC Spring Conference scheduled for May, 2023!
Interested in planning future MACAC conferences? Contact the Professional Development Committee (pd@mn-acac.org).
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 idea!
Email: comms@mn-acac.org