ACAC Webinar | Why Host a College Application Event

Why Host a College Application Event: Insights from ACAC 2022 School of Excellence Awardees

Date: Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023
Time: 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT
Duration: 60 minutes

Each year, the American College Application Campaign (ACAC), a national initiative of ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning, works with every state and the District of Columbia to host college application events in high schools and community organizations that encourage students to apply to college. Last school year, 23 high schools were selected as ACAC School of Excellence awardees for their demonstrated commitment to student success and for serving as exemplary models for their state’s college application campaign.

ACAC support enables state leaders, school staff, and community members to provide students with individualized support and assistance as they prepare for and complete the college application process. Two School of Excellence recipients will share the strategies they deployed during the 2022-23 application season to ensure they reached students who needed support navigating the complex college application and admissions process. Join us to learn more and get involved with the American College Application Campaign.

Join us on Tuesday, Aug. 29, for a webinar where you’ll learn:

The importance of hosting a college application event.
Innovative ways to reach students.
Ways to remove barriers that prevent students from applying to a postsecondary institution.

Panelist
Angela Corinthian is a school counselor at Sol C. Johnson High School in Savannah, GA. In addition to supporting students, Angela is coordinator for the school’s "Apply to College and FAFSA Day Event." This is done in conjunction with "College Week" and leads to the excitement of applying to college and completing the FAFSA. This was Angela’s second year hosting the event.

The goal of Georgia Apply to College (GAC) is to provide all Georgia high school seniors with the opportunity to apply to college with a focus on providing assistance to first-generation college-going students and students traditionally underserved as they navigate the college application process. Angela describes her work as “a joy and privilege to assist students academically, and to provide various resources and experiences to help them embark on their journeys into postsecondary education.”

Panelist
Patty Neuenschwander served as college coordinator from 2010 to 2023 at Sam Barlow High School in Gresham, OR. As a parent of two students who graduated from SBHS in 2010 and 2011, she was in a very unique position. Patty was able to guide her two children toward their college future, as well as their peers. It gave Patty a very "hands-on" perspective into the effort and the challenges faced by families. Patty graduated from the University of Oregon with a bachelor's in journalism/advertising and has found that degree to be a perfect fit for assisting students with their application process.

Over the years, College Application Week at Sam Barlow High School has taken on varying lengths and activities. The school combined efforts with Career Coordinator LindaLee Frazier and Activities Director April Anderson to make an all-school effort. During the 2022-23 school year, the College & Career Center team was able to spend two entire weeks offering learning experiences for the students in many aspects of planning for their futures. Students experienced a variety of college visits, FAFSA and ORSAA completion events, Career Day, scholarship and application writing workshops, and lots of prizes awarded to participating students. The goal is to continue these efforts each November with plans to adjust and add as able. The campaign efforts target diverse and first-generation students during Bruins Go To College Week and visit AVID classes regularly, then and throughout the school year. The campaign activities reach the entire senior class of 400 students, in some way, to assist them in finding their individual path to their future. With many unique backgrounds and histories to consider, Sam Barlow’s College & Career Center strives to be a welcoming and inviting place for students to be comfortable asking all types of questions.

Facilitator
Lisa King director, ACT’s American College Application Campaign, has worked for the American College Application Campaign since 2016 as senior communications specialist and was named director in 2020. Prior to joining the Campaign, King served local, state, and national nonprofits and education institutions through her communications consultancy, Lisa King Consulting, LLC. Some of the clients include the Michigan College Access Network, the National College Attainment Network, Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, and Michigan AfterSchool Association. King holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University in Integrative Public Relations and Public Affairs and a master’s degree in strategic communication from Michigan State University.