Please note: Conference sessions are subject to change.

Session Block 4

Session Location: Lowell Thomas Communications Center 027

Session Title: A Developmental Approach to College and Career Counseling & Its Impacts on Student’s Post-Secondary Success

Session Description:

myOptions will share research-based developmental approaches to college and career counseling, and highlight FREE resources at myOptions that can help students and educators. Participants will discuss best practices to help students and parents navigate the post-secondary planning process, manage team resources and evaluate post-secondary planning programs using data science.

Conference Track: Access and Opportunity

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Bryan Contreras, VP, myOptions, myOptions

Presenter 2: Jess Davidoff, VP, myOptions, myOptions

 

 

 

Session Location: Student Center, Cabaret

Session Title: Admission Practices and the NACAC CEPP

Session Description:

The Co-Chairs of the Admission Practices Committees of both NYSACAC and NEACAC, along with the chair of the NACAC AP Committee, will discuss NACAC's new SPGP (CEPP), share important trends in admissions practices, and review case studies. Questions and discussion are encouraged.

Conference Track: College Admission Policy and Procedures

Audience: College Admission Professionals High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Jeffrey Makris, Director of College Counselling, Stuyvesant High School

Presenter 2: Elizabeth Cheron, Dean, Office Undergraduate Admissions, Northeastern University

Presenter 3: Bob Herr, Dean of Enrollment, Wagner College

Presenter 4: James Fowler Jr., Vice President for Enrollment Management, Salve Regina University

Presenter 5: Jill Britton, Guidance Counselor, Westbrook High School

 

 

 

Session Location: Lowell Thomas Communications Center 021

Session Title: Advocacy Without Borders

Session Description:

Government policies have an immense impact on the work we do as college counselors and admissions professionals. Join NYSACAC, NEACAC, and NACAC’s Government Relations teams for an update on state and federal legislative issues, and learn how you can get involved.

Conference Track: The State of Higher Education

Audience: College Admission Professionals High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Brian Culligan, Co-Chair, NYSACAC Government Relations

Presenter 2: Michael Rose, Director for Government Relations, NACAC

Presenter 3: Daryl Hornick-Becker, Co-Chair, NYSACAC Government Relations

Presenter 4: Sharon Veatch, Chair, NEACAC Government Relations

 

 

 

Session Location: Music Building 3201

Session Title: Are You Common App Ready?

Session Description:

The Common Application's mission of access, equity, and integrity hasn’t changed, but higher education has. Join this discussion of tools, resources, and initiatives, including a new transfer application, designed for today’s college applicants and those who support them. We're ready for change, and we want you to be too.

Conference Track: Secondary Counseling Best Practices

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Meredith Lombardi, Associate Director, Outreach and Education, The Common Application

Presenter 2: Anesha Grant, Associate Director, College Admissions, SEO Scholars

 

 

 

Session Location: Music Building 3203

Session Title: Athletic Admission: How Athletics Influence the Process

Session Description:

Hear from a panel of professionals involved in athletic admission on what their respective institutions practice. Included will be a nuts and bolts discussion of how an application is considered at different points during recruiting. In addition, a school counselor will provide information on guiding students throughout the process.

Conference Track: Secondary Counseling Best Practices

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Jeff Gallant, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission, Boston College

Presenter 2: Rich Parez, Senior Admission Counselor, Merrimack College

Presenter 3: Kyle Smith, Associate Director of Admissions, Trinity College

Presenter 4: Elizabeth Roper, Director of College and Academic Guidance, The Ursuline School

Moderator: Donna Lyons, Director of School Counseling, Longmeadow High School

 

 

 

Session Location: Student Center 3102-3103

Session Title: RepVisits: Increase efficiency in visit scheduling and management

Session Description:

This session will show high school and college admission counselors how easy it is to set up and schedule visits and college fairs using RepVisits. Learn how both sides of the desk can benefit from increased efficiency in the visit scheduling and management process, enabling more focus on students and increasing their awareness of postsecondary opportunities. The session will be hosted by Erica White, the founder of RepVisits and a former school counselor.

Conference Track: Marketing and Recruitment

Audience: College Admission Professionals High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Erica White, Director of Product Management, Hobsons

 

 

 

Session Location: Hancock Center 1021

Session Title: Creating a Supportive Professional Learning Community with Counselors

Session Description:

What does it mean to be a part of a professional learning community? How can I create one? Do you support counselors in your work or are you a counselor who wants to create a community to refine your practice? Come and learn about various approaches!

Conference Track: Access and Opportunity

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Jessica Sasko, Director of College Supports, NYC Outward Bound Schools

Presenter 2: Camille Hall, Assistant Director, Upward Bound, Double Discovery Center-Columbia University

Presenter 3: Sharae Brown, College Completion Specialist & Alumni Manager, CUNY Early College Initiative

Presenter 4: Laura Myers, Associate Director, College Counseling Initiatives, CUNY K-16 Initiatives

 

 

 

Session Location: Lowell Thomas Communications Center 129

Session Title: Cultivating Alumni Engagement Throughout the Student Enrollment Timeline

Session Description:

Layering alumni engagement into your student recruitment and yield planning can add tremendous value to enrollment goals and the overall student experience. Leave this session with ideas on how you can introduce a formal alumni recruitment program to your institution as well as practical ways to elevate your existing program.

Conference Track: Marketing and Recruitment

Audience: College Admission Professionals

Presenter 1: Stephanie Espina, Director of Freshman Admissions, Adelphi University

Presenter 2: Leora Johnson, Assistant Director - Admission and Alumni Interviewing, Brown University

 

 

 

Session Location: Lowell Thomas Communications Center 019

Session Title: Decision Meetings: Supporting the college choice process

Session Description:

The key to ensuring college success is making an informed decision. A "Decision Meeting" is the chance for the student, family, and counselor to compare acceptances, financial aid award letters, and all other variables that will impact and support making the best decision. We'll share our guiding philosophy and message, our process and tools for supporting students with this final key step.

Conference Track: Secondary Counseling Best Practices  

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Lauren Dodington, Director of College Counseling, Achievement First Amistad High School (New Haven, CT)

Presenter 2: Suahd Idrissu, College Counselor, Achievement First Brooklyn High School

Presenter 3: Megan Fraker, Dean of College, Achievement First University Prep High School

Presenter 4: Courtney Camacho, College Counselor, Achievement First University Prep High School

Moderator: Megan Fraker, Dean of College, Achievement First University Prep High School

 

 

 

 

Session Location: Music Building 4001

Session Title: Demystifying Admissions Funnel Management through CRMs

Session Description:

Geared towards secondary counselors, this session will shed light on how colleges identify, communicate, track and support your students as they move through the college search journey and the enrollment funnel. The presenters will discuss process, logistics and the tools used by their institutions to execute these strategies.

Conference Track: Access and Opportunity

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Christine Murphy, Vice President for Enrollment Management, St. Joseph's College

Presenter 2: Kristen Capezza, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, Adelphi University

Presenter 3: Bryan Gross, Vice President Enrollment Management and Marketing, Western New England University

 

 

 

 

Session Location: Hancock Center 2019

Session Title: Email Communication: The Worst-Kept Industry Secret

Session Description:

Join two admission marketers in a discussion on the complicated world of email marketing. We will be covering best practices, current trends, and how to incorporate other key stakeholders (like parents!) throughout the admissions cycle. Designed to be interactive, questions and input from the audience will be encouraged.

Conference Track: Marketing and Recruitment

Audience: College Admission Professionals

Presenter 1: Eliza Etter, Senior Assistant Director, University of Vermont

Presenter 2: Tony Sylvester, Coordinator, Communication and Marketing, University of Rhode Island

 

 

 

 

Session Location: Student Center 3104-3105

Session Title: Emerging Admission Professionals Roundtable

Session Description:

As an emerging professional in this field, it's important for you to be knowledgeable and able to discuss issues, news, and trends that are relevant to the work we do and the students we work with. Come join the discussion with like-minded colleagues.

Conference Track: The State of Higher Education

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Timothy Cushing, Assistant Director of College Counseling, Brewster Academy

Presenter 2: Bryan Rothstein, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Iona College

 

 

 

Session Location: Lowell Thomas Communications Center 133

Session Title: Engaging Students on Financial Aid

Session Description:

How can we help our students digest financial aid information? We will discuss and interact with activities and lesson plans designed by Options Institute trainers, especially for high school juniors and seniors. Participants will leave with instructions for 5 activities they can do with their students.

Conference Track: Financial Aid

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Michael LoFaso, Trainer/College Access Counselor, Goddard Riverside Options Center

Presenter 2: Stephanie Nunez, College Access Counselor, Goddard Riverside Options Center

 

 

 

Session Location: Hancock Center 2017

Session Title: Fostering Partnerships From High School to Two- and Four-Year Colleges

Session Description:

This session will introduce ways that high school and community college students can take advantage of opportunities to access higher education. Topics will include high school dual enrollment, transfer pathways, honors and experiences and more. We'll present best practices from both regional associations. Bring YOUR best practices, and questions too!

Conference Track: Access and Opportunity

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Beth Fullerton, Transfer Counselor, Quinsigamond Community College

Presenter 2: David Follick, Dean of Admission, Nassau Community College

 

 

 

 

Session Location: Hancock Center 2020

Session Title: Help, I’m Stuck Under This Glass Ceiling

Session Description:

Feeling left out of the “boys club”? Ready for the next step but don’t know how to make it happen? Hear from professionals who took different roads to advance their careers and receive tips to make your next move. We'll end with a discussion of your questions.

Conference Track: Access and Opportunity

Audience: College Admission Professionals High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Allison Sherlock, Regional Associate Director of Admission, Saint Michael’s College

Presenter 2: Heather Zeman, Associate Director, Coordinator of International Recruitment, Simmons College

Presenter 3: Lauren Dennis, Associate Director of Admission, Wellesley College

Presenter 4:  Amy Tiberio, Associate Vice President Enrollment Management & Marketing, Roger Williams University

 

 

 

Session Location: Lowell Thomas Communications Center 020

Session Title: Hot On the Trail of the Student Decision Journey

Session Description:

Your prospective students are investigating your brand leaving a trail of data. 82% of your incoming class will have visited your website over 50x's. Utilizing online behavioral data from multiple institutions, we will discuss how/when students are most engaged with your brand throughout the Student Decision Journey.

Conference Track: Marketing and Recruitment

Audience: College Admission Professionals

Presenter 1: Geoff Broome, Enrollment Solutions Consultant, Capture Higher Ed

Presenter 2: Anne Freihofer, Senior Enrollment Solutions Consultant, Capture Higher Ed

 

 

 

 

Session Location: Student Center 3101

Session Title: Independent Counselors and School Counselors: A Partnership

Session Description:

Students and families benefit when independent counselors, CBO counselors, and school counselors work together. This panel will present best practices for understanding, cooperation, and collaboration. Lively discussion is encouraged!

Conference Track: Secondary Counseling Best Practices

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Lisa Sohmer, Independent College Consultant, Sohmer College Counseling

Presenter 2: Francine Block, Independent Education Consultant, American College Consultants

Presenter 3: Paula McKinnon, School Counselor/College Advisor, Brooklyn Technical HS

 

 

 

Session Location: Hancock Center 2023

Session Title: MythBusters: The Admission Edition

Session Description:

Join your colleagues from both sides of the desk as we bust Admission myths! We all know parents, students, the media, and even our colleagues have strong beliefs that: Just. Aren’t. True. We will identify and shed light on some common admission misconceptions.

Conference Track: The State of Higher Education

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Andrew Carter, Senior Associate Director of Admissions, The College of the Holy Cross

Presenter 2: Jane Mathias, Nardin Academy

Presenter 3: Lisa Searle, Associate Director, Ithaca College

Presenter 4: Bri Alderman, Associate Director, Ithaca College

 

 

 

Session Location: Music Building 3202

Session Title: Supporting Transgender and Gender Non-conforming students throughout the admissions process

Session Description:

According to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, trans and gender non-conforming students earn college degrees at a rate 20% higher than the national average. Whether we work in high schools or colleges, we have a responsibility to improve awareness and support for this population as they seek higher education. How can admissions counselors create an inclusive and supportive environment throughout the admissions process? How can counselors help students throughout the process?  

Conference Track: Retention, Completion, and Success

Audience: College Admission Professionals High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Emmanuel Cruz, Assistant Director of Admissions, SUNY Oswego

Presenter 2: Gianna Voccola, Director of Undergraduate Admission, Merrimack College

Presenter 3: Karen Archibee, Senior Admissions Counselor, SUNY Oswego

Presenter 4: Lenni Yesner, Director, College Transfer Office, Bard High School Early College Queens

 

 

 

Session Location: Music Building 3204

Session Title: The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the IB Learner Profile

Session Description:

10 skills required for the 2020 workforce WEF

http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_EGW_White_Paper_Reskilling.pdf

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/the-10-skills-you-need-to-thrive-in-the-fourth-industrial-revolution/
 
 • Complex Problem Solving
 • Critical Thinking
 • Creativity
 • People Management
 • Coordinating with Others
 • Emotional Intelligence
 • Judgment and Decision-Making
 • Service Orientation
 • Negotiation
 • Cognitive Flexibility
 The IB prepares all students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Conference Track: Access and Opportunity

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Marie Vivas, Senior Development Manager, International Baccalaureate Organization

Presenter 2: Jonathan Burdick, Vice Provost for Enrollment Initiatives - Dean of College Admission, University of Rochester

Presenter 3: Kevin Hudson, Princeton University

Presenter 4: Joe Giacalone, Executive Director of International Admission, Marist College

 

 

 

Session Location: Hancock Center 1020

Session Title: Together We Can Ensure Success: Collaborating with CBOs

Session Description:

Food. Housing. Rent. Each of these can interrupt an education. None can be addressed by schools alone. Presented by leading community-based organizations in NYC, this interactive session will explore the benefits and answer questions about community-based collaboration with higher education and K-12 schools that boost college access and completion.

Conference Track: Retention, Completion, and Success

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Judith Lorimer, Director, Goddard Riverside Options Center

 

 

 

Session Location: Hancock Center 2005

Session Title: Transition from High School to College for Students with Disabilities

Session Description:

An overview of the transition from high school to college for students with disabilities. The presentation will review differences between high school and college, developing skills for college readiness, competence in assistive technologies, and rights, roles, and responsibilities of students and disability services professionals.

Conference Track: Access and Opportunity

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Lauren Rodriguez, Director, Office of Disability Resources, Purchase College, SUNY

Presenter 2: Nazely Kurkjian, Coordinator of Disability, Diversity, and Nontraditional Student Services, The State University of New York

 

The following sessions are part of a 7-14-28 format. Sessions will be rapid fire at 7 minutes each.
Location: Student Center, Nelly Goletti Theatre (#31)

 

Session Location: Student Center, Nelly Goletti Theatre

Session Title: Degree Options Abroad: Enabling Students to Be Globally Competitive

Session Description:

International universities are becoming increasingly popular with US students looking to enrich themselves personally and professionally in a global environment. This session will provide advice on where to find information on international degree options and how best to support students and families throughout a seemingly complicated but hugely rewarding process.

Conference Track: Secondary Counseling Best Practices

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Margaret Cardosi, North America Representative - Northeast Region, University College Dublin

Presenter 2: Michael Ickowitz, Senior Manager (North America), University of New South Wales

 

 

Session Location: Student Center, Nelly Goletti Theatre

Session Title: Experiential Learning at Canadian Universities

Session Description:

Canada continues to be an educational hotspot for students from the United States. Canadian universities are building new models of experiential learning through the integration of theory and practice. Hear from Canadian universities on how we are using experiential learning to help students gain global experience and build resumes.

Conference Track: Retention, Completion, and Success

Audience: High School, College, and Community Based Organization Professionals

Presenter 1: Cyesha Forde, Liaison Officer, Ryerson University

Presenter 2: Mariya Kala, Recruitment Officer, University of Toronto

 

 

Session Location: Student Center, Nelly Goletti Theatre

Session Title: How Colleges Use Social Listening to Impact Enrollment Outcomes

Session Description:

Social listening is more than responding to posts on Facebook and Twitter. Used strategically, it supports three critical functions for enrollment management: prospect identification and engagement, market research, and brand benchmarking. Catch a glimpse into what innovative colleges around the country are doing in this rapid-fire presentation.

Conference Track: Post-Secondary Admission Challenges

Audience: College Admission Professionals

Presenter 1: Ashley Tanner, Strategist, Campus Sonar

 

 

Session Location: Student Center, Nelly Goletti Theatre

Session Title: Targeted student recruitment and retention services

Session Description:

This session will discuss using ACT Enroll to target student recruitment. We will review the ACT Class Profile report which provides information to help recruit and retain students. The session will also cover ACT Engage which measures psychosocial factors that are associated with academic success and student retention.

Conference Track: Marketing and Recruitment

Audience: College Admission Professionals

Presenter 1: Sean Corcoran, State Lead, ACT