As Strong As Our Membership - Why The Facebook Group is Members Only

by Aaron Andersen
President-Elect, International ACAC
University of British Columbia

Recently there has been questions raised regarding the International ACAC policy enacted several years ago to restrict the Facebook Group to a closed group that requires membership in the Association.  As the VP Communications during the years the Board adopted this policy for the Facebook page, I wanted to address the reasons behind this approach. 

International Counselors react to next year’s ACT changes

By Robbie Jefferiss, University Advisor, United World College of South East Asia

On September 7th 2017, most counselors in Asia didn’t even make it to their desk before they were inundated with forwarded emails or stopped in the hall by panicked students.  “Did you hear the ACT is cancelled? What are we gonna do?”

The unexpected and sudden announcement by Hobsons - Naviance on January 23, 2018, that they were pulling out of the international market came as a surprise to everyone. While complaints about Naviance had been increasing over the years, its impending death caught international counselors off guard. On June 30, 2019 Naviance will be gone.

The five stages of grief proposed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book On Death and Dying seemed to sum up what many counselors were voicing on Facebook and in email messages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

For many counselors, Naviance is the only software platform they have used. Some had been using Naviance (and for the really old-timers, its predecessor, “The College Counselor-TCC”) for 20+ years. When founders Steve Smith and Shaun Fanning launched Naviance, it quickly became the platform of choice and revolutionized the way counselors did their job. Unfortunately, after Hobsons bought it out, Naviance lost much of its lustre.

International ACAC Members on Capitol Hill participating in Advocacy Day (Left to Right: Anne Ostro Richardson, Brendan Graham, and Juan Camilo Tamayo)

SPGP CEPP: A New Name and New Guiding principles

At the NACAC Annual Conference in Boston in September, the 2017 Assembly approved major changes to the Statement of Principles and Good Practices (SPGP) including its name. NACAC’s new Code of Ethics of Professional Practices (CEPP) will now serve as a more modern and streamlined set of guidelines for our profession. Some highlights:

• No PhD required! The structure and length of this document has been completely revamped. The CEPP is shorter, easier to navigate.
• Clarity: The CEPP leaves less room for interpretation and clearer and stronger guidance on how to resolve violations.
• Protects student from unethical recruitment practices and shield institutions from unfair competition.

How you can use the CEPP:

High School and College Counselors

Association Annual Award Winners : In Their Words.

Last Spring the International ACAC board placed their votes for three awards that honor leaders in our field. These include the Distinguished Service Award, the Rising Star Award, and the Peter Hauet Lifetime Achievement Award. This year the awards went to some inspiring individuals who have made big contributions to International ACAC over the years.

Ed Tourle from the Pestalozzi International Village Trust in the United Kingdom  was selected for the International ACAC Rising Star Award. He said, “I have been a college admissions counsellor for three years now, having previously worked as a Primary school teacher. I represent 40 international students from nine countries. I was privileged to receive the International ACAC Scholarship to attend the University of Oregon conference in 2015. Life has been a roller coaster since then. In terms of my own professional development as a college admissions counsellor, opportunities to up level my team and the delivery of support to my students, IACAC has been the gift that keeps on giving. I have met and worked with the most inspirational, kind and encouraging people in my professional career. I have discovered a role that fulfils me and drives me forward in ways I never expected. Following that first, transformative conference, I joined the Admissions Practice Committee for IACAC, gave presentations at regional institutes and was also invited to join the wonderful HALI Access Network, again with a committee role.

 
The technical refinement of school profiles and our advocacy as an office were enabled through excellent mentorship and advice from truly experienced colleagues. For me, above anything it is the people I am honoured to work with that means the most. To receive the Rising Star Award was entirely unexpected and to receive it alongside Joan Liu (Distinguished Service Recipient 2017) was just another level. She is the chief architect of my success and I cannot praise her universal commitment enough. Our organisation is vulnerable and the award creates a wave of momentum that IACAC has equipped me to deal with in a practical and productive way. Giving me the tools necessary and the profile to transform lives in vulnerable communities. It does not get better than that. Thank you IACAC for this enormous privilege that I will honour to the very best of my ability.” Congratulations, Ed! 

3 Days + 3 Nights

February 5, 1931 - Date of the Cleveland Orchestra’s inaugural
concert at Severance Hall and Site of the Opening Ceremony 

1263 Total Conference Attendees - A Conference High!   

990 Institutions in Attendance   

88 Countries Represented                                                                

674 Attendees Staying on Campus

80 Educational Sessions over Six Time Blocks

100+ Items Donated to the Scholar Raffle with Almost $7,000 
raised for the International ACAC Scholar Fund

How to Win in Dodgeball
-or-
at least look cool trying

By Tracey Grimm
Lincoln School, Costa Rica

It can be said, in no uncertain terms, that the International ACAC Dodgeball Tournament is a highlight of the annual conference. What started with only 12 rag-tag teams at the TCU conference in July of 2006 has morphed into the epicenter of entertainment for higher ed folks and college counselors alike. Seriously, where else will you find cow costumes aplenty, David Zutautas on the mic and a gaggle of overly-competitive Jesuit university reps eager to trash talk anyone who mentions the fact that they were out in 1st round last year? 
   

{ Read the official #IntlACAC2017 Dodge Ball rules and sign up a team }

Top Ten Things to Know about Cleveland

1. Location
Cleveland, Ohio’s thriving city scene includes the corporate headquarters of Fortune 500 companies and world-class healthcare institutions. Cleveland is located on the southern shore of Lake Erie, one of the five Great Lakes.

2. University Circle
University Circle is home to Case Western Reserve University and is the densest concentration of arts, culture and education in the world. Located in the one-square-mile neighborhood are world-class facilities, including Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Institute of Art, Severance Hall and more.

3. World-class healthcare
Cleveland is home to some of the finest medical facilities in the country, including Cleveland Clinic, the No. 2 hospital in the U.S.; University Hospitals; St. Vincent Charity Hospital; and MetroHealth Hospital.

INTERNATIONAL ACAC Scholars 2017

By Joan Liu
University Advisor, United World College of South East Asia

 Shabana Basij-Rasikh dressed as a boy to go to school, because under the Taliban, educating women was forbidden. When Shabana was at Middlebury College, she founded the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA). One of reasons why was because she wanted girls to have the access to secondary education that she did not have.

A humanitarian, educator, and women's rights champion, Shabana is just one of the 12 incredible educators joining us this year in Cleveland, as part of the Scholars Program. The International ACAC Scholars Program supports high-impact counselors working with academically talented, but under-resourced students as they seek to gain access to higher education outside their home countries. This program is one key way that International ACAC actively promotes access to higher education for international students around the world.

East Asia Regional Institute Fast-Facts Update:

Registrations, fairs, curriculum, grants, networking and additional events (as of June 10^th), basic information and practicalities

Registrations

• Over 100 now! Including…
• 55% who represent high school students
• 75 institutions, made up of high schools, universities, organizations
• Universities from 14 countries
• Counselors from Republic of Korea, The People’s Republic of China, India, Vietnam, Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Nepal
• Hurry registration deadline is July 20^th - - but past institute data indicates we will reach capacity before that time
      REGISTER FOR EARI

Fairs

The East Asia Regional Institute Fair takes place on Saturday August 12^th

Conference First Timers FAQ

By Johanna Fishbein and Michael Maki

Q: Where is the conference information?

A: You can access all of the conference information from internationalacac.org/conference   Everything you need to know (schedules, sessions) is on here so visit it frequently!

Q: Do people really stay in the dorms?
A: Yep! Reliving your younger years in a dorm room is part of the International ACAC experience, but it is not a requirement. You can find information about on campus and off campus housing here: case.edu/iacac2017/lodging

If you do decide to stay in the dorms (most attendees do), it can be a really great way to meet people. You can put down the name of someone you’d like to stay with or be randomly assigned which can be fun too. Everyone in the dorms is very friendly and welcoming and you will always have your own bedroom, although you may be sharing a bathroom.

7 Stellar Gifts for the Globally Mobile High School Graduate

By Barbara C. Chen

China Admissions Representative, The University of Tulsa

In this on-going series of articles on students 'returning home', Barbara Chen speaks about supporting third-culture students who may be 'returning' to a home country they have never lived in.  Check out her first article on Tips for Parents of College Bound Expatriate Student.

Finding the Right Fit: A Look at Counselling Models at International Schools 

By Robbie Jefferiss
United World College South East Asia, Singapore
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Counseling international students on university options is an increasingly complex and challenging role. The breadth and diversity of university choices continues to expand as a steady stream of new opportunities emerge; from new joint global ventures between established universities, to the ever expanding list of programs taught in English throughout Europe. The expertise and depth of knowledge needed to “master” multiple higher education systems, and provide advocacy and support for students and families is often more than a full time job. 

However, the diversity of options that stand before our students, is often matched by the diversity of ‘hats’ we wear at our schools. Depending on the size of your school, you may also be the social emotional counselor, a teacher, IB coordinator, assistant principal, registrar, house parent, homeroom advisor, coach, etc. etc. The breadth  of our experiences and the diversity of our schools is what makes working at international schools fascinating; no two schools or programs are alike. Similarly, the role of college counselor at your school may have emerged from various groundings. It may have grown organically from a teacher’s part time additional role, or perhaps from a British, American, or mixed international foundation, sometimes with various heads of school carrying their own perception of the role. A recent article published by Shaun McElroy in The International Educator has prompted discussions on Facebook and beyond, looking at the various models used at international schools.  So we decided to explore these in more depth with some insight from some experienced counselors who have worked in different models.

International ACAC 2017
Pre and Post-Conference Offerings: The Power of Three

Hone and enhance your summer learning! Join us for an extended stay in Cleveland this summer by adding on a pre or post-conference offering:

The Professional Development committee has worked this year to offer engaging and energetic programs that will compliment the annual summer conference:

• For admission professionals with five or more years of experience we have collaborated with Case Western Reserve’s Weatherhead School of Management to offer a custom leadership program for a small cohort of individuals wishing to focus on developing their leadership potential. 

• For school counselors, educational consultants, and your inner Jedi - The Pre-Conference Institute; International University Counseling 101 has returned for those with 0-2 years of experience.  Come network with other international school counselors and superhero admission professionals - learn from the most charismatic and fun-loving people in the profession!

• Go Athletes! A special post-conference workshop on advising student athletes will take place to wrap up your time in Cleveland, OH.  Learn how to best advise your burgeoning athletes in the university process!
   

Pre-Conference Institute: Monday, July 10 & Tuesday, July 11
International University Counseling 101

Are you an international school counselor or educational consultant who is new to guiding students in international admissions and university counseling? Do you feel that you would like to learn more about fundamental topics in the field of international admissions? If so, be sure to sign up for the Pre-Conference International Counseling 101 workshop created especially counselors and consultants with 0-2 years experience. In the two days that lead into main International ACAC Conference, experienced counselors and university admissions representatives will present on a wide variety of topics to help you feel more comfortable, confident, and knowledgeable in your work with students as they prepare for post-secondary life and studies. See more detailed information here. 

Second Annual Vancouver International Universities Fair

By Tatjana Guadalupe 
NACAC International Initiatives Coordinator

The Vancouver International Universities Fair (VIUF) will be held this coming April 30 at the Vancouver Convention Centre-East from 1pm-4pm (PDT). Registration for exhibitors and students is now open through the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Fairs website.

Volunteering for the Executive Board: My Story

By Joe Giacalone
Immediate Past President, International ACAC
Chair, Governance and Nominating Committee
Executive Director, International Admission, Marist College

This is the first in a three-part series on contributing to the Association through Executive Board Service.   
  Be sure to visit the Board Elections page on our website for complete details. 

When considering a new job or career, people tend to develop a pros and cons list. Under the pros, you’ll generally find: professionally fulfilling, challenging, dynamic team, and ability to make a difference. Becoming an International ACAC board member checked all of those boxes for me.

Running for the board demands a lot. It requires a decent amount of self-reflection on a professional and personal level. The basic questions that require examination are: Is this the right time in my career? Is this the right time for me or my family? You are taking a risk by putting yourself out there, but you know there is an even greater reward if it is successful. I would like to share my story and shed some light on how the board election process works.

Volunteering for the Board: The Five Steps

By Joe Giacalone
Immediate Past President, International ACAC
Chair, Governance and Nominating Committee
Executive Director, International Admission, Marist College

This is the second in a three-part series on contributing to the Association through Executive Board Service.
  Be sure to visit the Board Elections page on our website for complete details. 

So you are considering board service, maybe for this year or the next…how does it work?

Volunteering for the Board: Your Voice 

This is the third in a three-part series on contributing to the Association through Executive Board Service.  
  Be sure to visit the Board Elections page on our website for complete details. 

As we head into a new election cycle for the International Association for College Admission Counseling Board, members of our community will be considering a Board position. No doubt they will be focused on our mission:

To facilitate global interaction among counselors and institutions in support of secondary students transitioning to higher education, while promoting professional standards that foster ethical and social responsibility.