Expanding College Access: How the Virginia Community College System Roadshow Opened Doors to Postsecondary Pathways 

By: Melissa Benavidez, GEAR UP Virginia college transition specialist, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia 

Since 2012, Virginia College Application Week (VCAW), usually held in mid-October, has helped thousands of students apply to college through hands-on support, including advisors hosting in-school application sessions, admissions reps offering on-site admissions, and application fee waivers. Unfortunately, seniors who are unsure about attending college or are not yet ready to submit applications often miss out on this crucial support.

Recognizing the need to assist these students, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) explored ways to offer spring application support — reengaging with students who hadn't made decisions in the fall. After examining models offered by other states, including Oregon's Spring into Action campaign, Michigan 's March Madness week push, and Pennsylvania 's Last Call for Fall summer events, SCHEV and VDOE staff connected with Virginia Community College System (VCCS) Student Success Center staff, and learned of an existing effort in Virginia known as both the “Roadshow” and “Show on the Road,” where community colleges were already working in this capacity with high school seniors in select regions. For example, Southwest Virginia Community College started doing individual high school visits in a Roadshow format in 2018.

Now formalized as the “VCCS Roadshow,”this cross-agency initiative has expanded into a coordinated, statewide effort. As part of Level Up Virginia events, the Roadshow provides a flexible, scalable way to support seniors who are making postsecondary decisions in the spring.

Through the VCCS Roadshow, community colleges either host on-campus application and enrollment events or send staff directly into high schools to provide hands-on support. For example, high school seniors, either in community college computer labs or within their own high school buildings, receive assistance with the application process, financial aid support, and finalizing class selections. These efforts help students take the final steps toward enrollment while strengthening connections between high schools and their local community colleges. High school administrators and counselors gain a better understanding of who to contact at the community college, what programs are available, and how the college serves their students and families, leading to more sustainable partnerships that support student success.

The pilot launched in 2025 with three community colleges serving 13 high schools. Participating institutions were eligible to receive up to $2,000 in funding. That year, 252 students participated, leading to 180 applications and 121 confirmed enrollments.

In 2026, the Roadshow expanded to 16 community colleges and 109 high schools across the Commonwealth. This growth has extended Level Up Virginia 's reach to new schools and communities while creating a more coordinated statewide approach. Importantly, the partnership between SCHEV, VDOE, and VCCS has improved access to application and enrollment data, helping inform future efforts. Partnering with a coordinated statewide system of community colleges provides the campaign with the access, credibility, and leverage needed to collect student-level data.

Virginia's experience shows that spring outreach can be a powerful complement to fall initiatives like VCAW, helping more students, especially those who need additional time and support, to successfully transition from high school to college.

Reinvention Meets Innovation in the Motor City

State campaign leaders come together to share strategies that strengthen student engagement and produce meaningful postsecondary outcomes. 

 By: Trevor McCray, Ph.D., program director, Center for Impact and Learning, ACT 

"Inspiration has to be paired with information." - Gary Hopkins, alumni & youth success associate, Developing K.I.D.S.

The 2026 ACAC Convening in Detroit brought state campaign leaders together around a shared reality: the postsecondary landscape has changed, requiring continued innovation in how college application campaigns evolve in an ever-shifting climate. Over two days, campaign leaders reflected on what today 's students need most and shared strategies that translate into meaningful postsecondary outcomes.

A city that has long symbolized resilience and reinvention, Detroit served as a fitting backdrop for these conversations. Across sessions, participants engaged in dialogue on affordability, data practices, policy impacts, workforce efforts, and building campaigns that produce student outcomes. As one guest speaker, Jamie Jacobs, deputy director of the Michigan College Access Network, shared, “Campaigns are entry points, but the real work begins after the campaigns are implemented.” This perspective encouraged a shift from focusing solely on holding events to centering on what students can do because of their experiences after attending these events.

Highlights of what we learned:

• Growth emerged as a prominent theme across state coordinator campaigns, with an increasing number of schools submitting data that reflected the reach and impact of ACAC events nationwide. This growth signals both stronger engagement with new approaches (peer ambassadors, direct admissions programs, National Student Sign-In Form, etc.) and a clearer picture of how ACAC‑supported efforts are showing up across states.
• Shifting policies, such as school cell phone bans and Wi-Fi restrictions, are influencing how ACAC events collect student data and share information with learners. These constraints have led state teams to ideate flexible, student-centered engagement and communication strategies that respond to new limitations where there is no universal solution.
• Founder of College Essay Guy, Ethan Sawyer, guided participants through purposeful activities centered on understanding student character attributes, leadership qualities, and identity development, while also highlighting the importance of mental health resources and the realities of today 's college admissions landscape. This was complemented by a thoughtful and engaging discussion on the ethical and practical use of AI in college applications.
• Gary Hopkins, alumni and youth success associate at Developing K.I.D.S, shared his powerful story of growing up in foster care and rising beyond his circumstances, illustrating resilience and purpose through lived experience. He highlighted the impactful work being done with young learners in Detroit through Developing K.I.D.S., reinforcing the critical role inspiration plays in postsecondary pathways. His message emphasized that access to meaningful information can be pivotal in empowering students to navigate their educational journeys with confidence, clarity, and self-awareness.
• To demonstrate creativity in marketing and communication efforts, the campaign team from Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) introduced video production by recording an episode of the "Coffee with KHEAA" podcast with Convening attendees participating as their live studio audience, while also sharing several short-form videos they used on social media. It was a critical reminder: how we share information must continue to evolve to meet the expectations and behaviors of today's generation.

A collective understanding emerged during our time together that although the landscape is changing rapidly, the work we're doing remains deeply relevant. Moving forward, sustaining this impact will require intentionality, creativity, and a willingness to reimagine how we deliver our campaigns beyond execution — ensuring we continue to lead with excellence, provide meaningful support, and expand access for the brilliant minds of today and tomorrow.

We 'd like to extend a special thank you to The Kresge Foundation, Detroit Regional Chamber, and MCAN for making it possible for us to bring the ACAC state campaign leaders together in person and virtually for these critical conversations and shared learning.

Webinar: Personal Essay Boot Camp

One of the most vital — and challenging — steps to applying for college is the college essay.

To make this component as painless as possible for both learners and counselors, we’ve partnered with Ethan Sawyer (College Essay Guy), author of College Essay Essentials, to share resources and tips, relieving the burden from your shoulders and providing plug-and-play content for state campaigns.

In this bootcamp, learners will:

• Understand what colleges are looking for in a personal statement.
• Identify strong and meaningful essay topics and stories.
• Start brainstorming and outlining their essay.

Join us on June 16, 2026, by registering here!

Learning Disability Week

Learning Disability Week is June 15-21 — a week to raise awareness, fight stigma, and increase understanding of learning disabilities. Being diagnosed with a learning disability doesn’t mean someone isn’t capable or deserving; it just means their support will look different.

Here are a few ways to get involved:

• Social Media Spotlights: Highlight community and organizational successes or contributions by those you know with a learning disability.
• Community Engagement: Participate in a community event celebrating the week — and share it on social!
• Attend a Workshop: Deepen your understanding of support by learning from experts in the space.
• Plan for Incoming Learners: Think ahead to the upcoming school year and incorporate inclusive reading selections featuring characters with learning disabilities into coursework and advocate for accessibility tools like screen readers.

Let us know on social media how you’ll be commemorating the week.

Facebook: American College Application Campaign

X: @American_CAC

Counselor Blog: Leveraging Community College Month to Expand Pathways

In April, we celebrated Community College Month to expand access, affordability, and opportunity for all learners.

Often, learners picture four-year universities as the only postsecondary option for a successful future, and sometimes it feels unattainable. But there are various pathways these young people could take to earn a degree and credentials, including community college.

The official month of celebration has passed, but you can still engage undecided seniors in conversations about how community college fits their goals before they leave their high school hallways.

Read the full blog for tips on inspiring learners to consider community college

Summer Break is Approaching: Here’s a Reading List to Keep the Days Bright

We all love summer break — and what's better than filling the days with fun that’s also packed with learning?

Here are a few books to keep our minds active and prepared for the school year to come:

• "Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts." by Brené Brown
• "Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning" by Jose Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson
• "Lost and Found: Helping Behaviorally Challenging Students (And While You’re At It, All the Others)" by Ross W. Greene, PhD
• "The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy" by Jon Gordon
• "The Use of Data in School Counseling: Hatching Results (and So Much More) for Students, Programs, and the Profession" by Trish Hatch and Julie Hartline
• "Gentelligence: The Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce" by Brandon Fogel, Josephine Nachemson-Ekwall, and Megan Gerhardt
• "Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain" by Zaretta Hammond

Celebrate the Year (Yourself Included)

You’ve spent the year supporting learners through big decisions and meaningful milestones; now it’s time to celebrate that impact. While seniors often — but not undeservingly — take the spotlight, this is also a moment to recognize everyone who made the year a success, including you.

Here are some great ways to celebrate:

• Recognize underclass learners for growth and progress with “level up” ceremonies as freshmen become sophomores, sophomores become juniors, and juniors become seniors.
• Create a quick end-of-year recap like an email, bulletin board, or social post to share end-of-year reflections and “most improved” spotlights in academics, skills, etc.
• Create a memory wall where learners, teachers, counselors, and administrators can share photos or words that capture their favorite moments from the school year.
• Read student thank you letters aloud or display them to recognize counselors, teachers, and administrators.
• Nominate staff members for Hero awards and present them to exceptional counselors, teachers, and administrators.
• Coordinate class time capsules that learners seal and teachers or counselors keep until the following year or senior graduation.

By celebrating everyone’s efforts, you build momentum for the year ahead and remind us all of the powerful role we play in each other’s success.

Be a 2026 Host Site!

The new school year will be here before we know it. Get a jump on next year’s ACAC campaign and sign up to be a host site!

These application events reach learners where they are and provide them with the tools and information they need to feel confident about college and the process of getting there.

Learn more about the campaign and register here.

ACT Counselor Summer Webinar Series

As you begin planning for the 2026–2027 school year, having practical strategies and reliable resources can make all the difference in supporting student success. That's why the ACT Counselor Outreach Team is hosting a four-part virtual webinar series on July 22–23, designed specifically for school counselors and college and career advisors.

Across the series, you'll gain actionable tools and insights to help you navigate key challenges facing students today. Sessions will cover ACT foundations and scoring, strategies for supporting first-generation and underserved students, approaches to increasing college application completion, and ways to strengthen collaboration with school leadership. Whether you attend one session or the entire series, you'll leave with resources and frameworks you can put into practice immediately as you prepare for the new school year.

Register for one or all sessions