International ACAC Executive Board Interviews Article 

The month of June marks the end of the term for some members of the Executive Board. As we welcome new members to the Board starting July 1, International ACAC wants to recognize the individuals who have served our organization and applaud the work they have done. Below you will find information about these individuals and their numerous efforts over the past few years. 

Aaron Andersen

Director of International Recruitment (AMEA), University of British Columbia, Canada

Role(s) on the Executive Board:

Advocacy in New and Strange Times

March 22, 2020
By: Anne K.W. Richardson
The American School in London

I was going to write about NACAC's Advocacy Day.

Two weeks ago, this is what advocacy looked like for me. I was spending my Sunday in Washington DC with college admissions counselors and college/university counselors from across the world, preparing to go to Capitol Hill on Monday to meet with House and Senate members and their aides, to remind them about the importance of international students in higher education – the many and extraordinary benefits they bring to campuses, classrooms, residence halls, surrounding towns and cities.  In cold hard cash, international students inject over $50 billion each year to US states. But they do so much more – and I include here all of our students who have grown up abroad.  Their presence contributes to and expands the cultural competency and global outlook of all, really so much more valuable and lasting than all of those dollars.  In our many visits on Monday, crisscrossing the Capitol, from Dirksen to Longworth, many listened - some more attentively and closely than others - to this strong advocacy for international students.

We’re All in This Together

By: Sherrie Huan
Senior Regional Manager (China/North Asia), The University of Sydney

When reflecting upon the two Coronavirus Member Forum Webinars run on the 18th February, I couldn’t help thinking of this scene in “High School Musical.”

Getting Involved - Thoughts and Tips on the 2020 Elections

By: Aaron Andersen
Past President & Chair of Governance Nominating Committee
Director, International Recruitment, University of British Columbia 

My daughter is twelve, in grade seven, which here in Canada, is the last year before she heads to high school.  Last week, as our family was going through the regular hectic morning activities – making lunches, last minute homework, finding socks, and eating cereal she thrust a scrunched up paper into my hand and said “Sign this, Dad … Please.” 

NACAC - What’s Happening ?  Questions and Answers.

At the National NACAC Conference at the end of the month several major issues are at  play that will impact the National Association - and has the potential to alter the Admission landscape.  The following is a break down of the issues as outlined by Past President and Chief Delegate to the NACAC National Conference, Aaron Andersen.

WHAT IS THIS I’M HEARING ABOUT A USA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LEGAL INVESTIGATION INTO NACAC?

School Profiles - Nuances, Benefits, and Fresh Ideas!

For many of us who have experience managing and creating our school’s profile, it’s well understood that the purpose of it is to provide insights and knowledge of our school and our students. And rightly so - the school profile is used by university admission officers to understand the context of every senior class and to evaluate students within their educational environment. 

Each portion of the school profile is important, but there are elements most schools would consider the be “fundamental,” -- the school’s name, contact information, history, demographic breakdown, curriculum, and university matriculation list. However, when it comes to displaying this information as well as using the school profile for advocacy purposes, we see great diversity. 

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.

Jenny Tassell and Christine Grover were selected for the International ACAC Rising Star Award for their service to their students and our community, especially due to their tireless work in organizing the recent International ACAC Regional Institute in Panama City.

Jenny writes, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this great honor.  There is really no other association like International ACAC.  I have been lucky enough to have some amazing mentors who have encouraged me to keep pushing myself towards goals that have seemed too challenging at times.  Fred Johnson, Juan Camilo Tamayo, Ray Marx, Meg Mahoney, Christine Grover, and Jolynn Vallejo to name a few.  Everyone in this association wants its members to become more involved and they will encourage you every step of the way. 

In Panama it all started with helping to create the Panama School Counselor Association (PASCA).  With the amazing counselors in Panama we worked hard to help Panama become a place that was easy to navigate and welcoming to all university reps that came here.  We created the PASCA website which has become a model for other countries. 

Calling all members with an interest in UK Advocacy

A UK All Party Parliamentary Group is currently conducting an inquiry into international students in the UK. Details of the inquiry:  

http://www.exeduk.com/appg-for-international-students/inquiry

The Advocacy and Outreach Committee are keen to submit a written response to this by the deadline of 3^rd September.

The focus of the response will be from high school and independent counsellors as our UK HE members views will be represented by UUK. We will however work with UUK to ensure our responses are coordinated as much as possible. In order to capture the views of high school and independent counsellors AOC have developed a brief survey for high school and independent members:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BPMQ2LT

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

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.

Membership Survey - Strategic Planning For The Future

By Lisa Hollett 
Special Programs Coordinator, International ACAC 

In May, we undertook an ambitious project, a Strategic Planning Survey of all International ACAC members. The survey was sent to our over 2000 members, and we received over 700 responses. Hopefully, you took the chance to let your voice be heard!

A number of our questions focused around our annual summer conference, and the results were illuminating. Over 50% of you attend the conference for the networking opportunities, but professional development opportunities are also very important, with discussions of new trends in Admissions garnering almost 10% of the vote.

How to Say Our Name

-or-

We know it’s a couple of extra syllables, but we’re truly international

By Kelly Braun
International School of Sacred Heart, Tokyo

Dear International ACAC Members,

Booking a visit made easy? Repvisits.com review

By Robbie Jefferis
United World College South East Asia, Singapore

You can book an uber online, buy your groceries online, schedule your dentist appointment online….  So why not schedule your school visits online?   A new tool is attracting interest with busy college counselors and even busier admissions representatives, called www.repvisits.com   

Could this be the end of all the back and forth emails?  

Top Five Things To Do in Vancouver While in Town for The Fair

NACAC’s first International Universities Fair is being held in Vancouver May 7 and the city is ready to welcome visitors from institutions all over the world. The fair, Saturday May 7 from 1:00 - 4:00PM has over a 150 universities from a dozen different countries converging on Vancouver Convention Center to promote higher education options to the region's secondary school students.  Recognizing that many university representatives will only have a few spare hours before or after the fair, International ACAC has received special advice from a local Vancouverite to come up with the ever helpful Top Five Things.

TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO IN VANCOUVER BEFORE OR AFTER THE NACAC FAIR

1. Take a Water Taxi Ride to See the City

Workplace Survey 2015 - Results 

In the summer of 2015 International ACAC conducted a Workplace Survey of its members to get a better understanding of their workplace experience. 30% of AAPS member institutions responded to this survey and the Communications Committee has reviewed the results over the past several months. The survey had a set of questions for both university admission and secondary school counselling offices. While there was also a short set of questions for educational consultants, it is acknowledged that future editions of the survey will need to have an expanded question set for this member group.

The responses will be presented in a series of articles available exclusively to International ACAC members on this website over the next few months.  The data is intended to support our members strategic initiatives, and we hope that it may provide helpful context as they review their own workplace environments

The International ACAC Board wishes to thank the members for their time in completing this survey.

Behind The Scenes of The International Universities Fair Vancouver

By Beth Cleary
    NACAC, International Initiatives Coordinator

The National Association for College Admission Counseling and International ACAC are co-hosting the first International Universities Fair in Vancouver on May 7, 2016.

Chaired by Nancy Cromarty, director of university and career counseling at West Point Grey Academy in Vancouver, the fair preparations are off to a great start. “Interest and excitement about this first time event has already begun among parents, students and counselors here in the Lower Mainland of Vancouver,” says Cromarty.

OACAC Conference By The Numbers

While OACAC Events can never be just about the numbers… here it is just about the numbers 

#OACAC2015 Conference Oregon

Intro to NACAC's Vancouver International Universities Fair

An interview with Nancy L. Cromarty 

Colleges: mark your calendars for next May - NACAC is going International

Next spring the NACAC will host the first stand alone College Fair outside the United States.  The Vancouver International Universities Fair is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 2016.

Whenever NACAC runs a National College Fair in the United States, the regional affiliate serves as a local organizing committee, and supports NACAC in the promotion and planning of the event.  Since Vanoucver, Canada is 'international' Overseas ACAC has the privilege of supporting this event. Recently, OACAC.com talked with Nancy Cromarty, Chair of the Organizing Committee and Director of University & Career Counseling at West Point Grey Academy in Vancouver, about this exciting new initiative and what participants can expect.