2023 International ACAC Conference Education Sessions

This session will explore the evolving role of AI in college counseling and admissions. Our panelists will discuss the integration of AI in their work, address common concerns and ethical considerations, and showcase the potential benefits of adopting AI tools. In addition to exploring the implications of AI in the lives of students, counselors, and admissions professionals, the session will help you navigate the ever-changing AI landscape with some practical tips. Don’t miss this opportunity to level-up your game!

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

"What you do changes the trajectory of the future of these young people." It is rewarding and fulfilling, it could also weigh on us. In this session, we would like to address some of the addictive work behavior we observed, discuss the possibilities to draw a boundary, and encourage candid and ongoing conversation between both sides of the table, and more importantly, with ourselves.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

Brave leadership is a goal for many of us, but what does it actually look like, in practice, to be an empathetic leader who can get things done in a results-oriented organization, university or school? This session of women in leadership roles across higher and secondary education will provide strategies and solutions that have proven effective in their roles at the secondary and tertiary level. We will examine case studies to illustrate how to effectively advocate for your needs in order to achieve your goals. With a focus on the importance of collaboration, this session will include robust audience participation as we share ideas and strategies in order to support each other as we navigate challenging leadership scenarios. Participants will leave the session with ideas and strategies to develop their own leadership skills in the future. Conference participants of all identities are invited to attend; this session will be a welcoming, inclusive space for discussion and collaboration.

Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

Finding best-fit is important. If a student ends up in the wrong place, educational outcomes, self-esteem, even mental health can suffer. This then affects everyone involved, including guardians, peers, and university staff, in a really negative way; the emotional and financial investment is questioned. On the other hand, at the right place, students can flourish and achieve great educational and social success. But what really is best-fit and how can we support students in finding not just one, but a great list of those? A few (provocative) questions: does climate or even location really matter? Shouldn't academics be the top priority? How can the student's and the family's ambitions be reconciled with our professional opinion on their chances? Should universities be clearer on who they are looking for? What is universities' stake in this? How can universities and counselors work together more effectively to ensure best (possible) fit and thus maximize student success and outcomes? We are four professionals from both sides of the desk and working across the globe. Join us to start a conversation on this topic.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)

When international students choose a university for their studies, they are looking for more than an academic degree. They are looking for a home away from home. Transitioning to university comes with uncertainty and anxiety, and one way we can minimize the stress is by making sure students have their community in place before they leave their home country. Join us for a discussion of practices on how we created pre-arrival student communities at four university campuses. A survey of Fall 2022 incoming students was conducted across campuses and will show what students are looking for and what initiatives work best for them. We'll open up to discussion so that all in attendance can share their practices for the learning of the group.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Post-Secondary (College & University)

In the midst of the Great Resignation, there are also a lot of transitions. Whether you are the counselor leaving or the counselor entering a secondary school, this session is about how to ensure a smooth baton pass. There’s never been an official playbook for this, but there are some best practices that can ensure that the transition for your students, school, and community is a smooth one. Learn tips and takeaways for optimizing a seamless transition, whether you’re the predecessor or the successor.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual

Welcoming hundreds of international counselors and university representatives to your campus can be a formative event for an institution. Our Association offers three opportunities each year for high schools and university campuses to participate in an impactful educational event as a host institution. Come discover what it takes to host an upcoming International ACAC event – whether it is a Summer Annual Conference or one of the popular local Regional Institutes. Participants will learn about the benefits and requirements, and how institutions are true partners in the process alongside International ACAC. We will be joined by the International ACAC Leadership Team as well as several past International ACAC Conference and Regional Institute hosts to answer all of your questions including: cost, logistics, getting your administration on board, and much, much more.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

In the past few years, many international students now find themselves at the intersection of geopolitical, economic, and social challenges. As currencies fluctuate wildly around the world, students are seeking new options, markets, and schools to apply to that are more affordable. Counselors need to learn about these new markets and be able to introduce new options to their students. Especially when it comes to schools whose cultures are entrenched in the rankings game, how can counselors effectively introduce new markets, schools and tools to students effectively?

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

The session will help new and returning members (university reps) on how to build connections with counselors, students, and families from different cultures. This session is ideal for those who are either new to the international world, or have new territories where they have never interacted with that community. If you have limited information on the culture, ideals, or values, we will provide you with tips to help you prepare before arriving to the location - to help us make more meaningful and impactful connections. We will learn the Do's and Don'ts of some of the regions around the world, when interacting with the community. This is an open space for open discussion for all of us to learn from one another. It is also a session where we will learn from different cultures and have some interactive activities!

Beginner
Intermediate

Post-Secondary (College & University)

Representatives from Rise, HALI Access Network, Northwestern University, and Syrian Youth Empowerment will discuss how access organizations are collaborating amongst themselves and with universities to identify talented but under-resourced youth and create pathways for them to access opportunities. Access organization representatives will provide insight on how to best understand the context of the applicants and the challenges they overcome. Admissions representatives will discuss how they leverage the work that CBOs are doing on behalf of students to substantiate potential and success beyond tests. As part of this discussion presenters will provide tips on how each side of the desk can manage and strengthen relationships to facilitate recruitment, build partnerships, and enable applicants to be considered in the most accurate light.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)

For the last few decades, the US Supreme Court has affirmed the consideration of race as a valid means to enrolling diverse student populations at US institutions. How will International ACAC members need to adjust, prepare, and provide for support in light of the Supreme Court ruling? How do we help students and their families to understand the implications? How do we redefine best practices to continue centering equity and inclusion in our work? Join us for a discussion co-hosted by NACAC and the International ACAC Executive Board about the history and potential future of race-conscious admissions and its ramifications for our community.

Beginner
Intermediate
Experienced

Secondary (High School) & Individual
Post-Secondary (College & University)
Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)