Sessions

Join Us for 30+ Breakout and All-Conference Sessions

featuring

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

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Rick Clark

Executive Director, Strategic Student Access, Georgia Institute of Technology

Rick Clark is Georgia Tech’s inaugural Executive Director for Strategic Student Access. In this role, he directs the Institute’s efforts to establish and advance relationships with educational leaders, schools and school systems, government agencies, and community organizations in pursuit of the Institute’s strategic vision for growing enrollment, expanding access, and ensuring affordability. Additionally, he partners with Tech’s development team to engage corporate sponsors, philanthropies, alumni, and donors to fund scholarships and advance student success initiatives. 

For 15 years Rick led Tech’s undergraduate admission team serving as AVP and Executive Director. Under his leadership, the Institute dramatically increased brand awareness, improved overall academic class profile, and exceeded strategic enrollment goals. 

Rick has served on regional and national councils and boards. He is currently a member NACAC’s Committee on Leadership in College Admission, and Past Chair of both the national Government Relations Committee and Georgia Tech’s Staff Council. He travels annually to U.S. embassies through the Department of State to discuss the admission process and landscape of higher education. Rick is part of Leadership Georgia, an organization that seeks to cultivate and connect leaders across the state. 

Over the last eight years he has written a regular blog on the college admission process. He is the co-author of the book and workbook The Truth about College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting In and Staying Together, and co-hosts a podcast under the same name. 

A native of Atlanta, he earned a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a M.Ed. from Georgia State University. Prior to coming to Tech, Rick served at Georgia State, The McCallie School and Wake Forest University. 

PLENARY SPEAKER

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Thelbert Snowden, Jr., Ed.D.

Chief of Staff to the President, Morehouse College

Dr. T.J. Snowden is a native of Monroe, LA, and currently serves as the Chief of Staff to the President/Transformation Officer at Morehouse College. A seasoned higher education administrator with more than 17 years of experience in enrollment management, he previously served as the Director of Admissions and Recruitment at the College beginning in August 2019. Prior to his arrival at Morehouse, Dr. Snowden served as the Director of Financial Aid and Compliance Officer at the Institute of World Politics in Washington, DC; the Associated Director of Enrollment Managements at Trinity Washington University (DC); and the University of Georgia in the Office of Financial Aid as a financial aid counselor. He was the Special Assistant to President David Thomas for the 2018-19 school term while completing his doctoral studies, gaining a strong appreciation for Morehouse College and its legacy of educating leaders of color to impact the local and global communities.

He is a past president of the UGA Black Alumni Leadership Council (2018-19) and has held membership in higher education professional associations for admissions counselors including the National Association of College Admissions Counseling. He previously served as the vice chair for the 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation based in Atlanta, GA, a non-profit focused on providing need-based scholarships to students interested in attending HBCUs.

Dr. Snowden is a two-time graduate of the University of Georgia, in December 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Communications; and in May 2019, he was awarded a Doctorate in Student Affairs Leadership. He is married to Dr. Lesley Netter-Snowden, an Auburn University and University of Georgia alumna, the Vice President of Business Services at Kennesaw State University. 

Breakout Sessions

AI & College Admissions: Risks, Research, and Future Directions
This session addresses the current use of AI in college admissions, examining trends, risks, and potential benefits. It summarizes real-world applications (Cornell’s AI Task Force and its recommendation to use AI in admissions), recent research (UPenn’s experiment using AI readers to advance “holistic admissions”), and conversations with current admissions officers (Rick Clark of Georgia Tech). The session will conclude with a forward-looking discussion on the potential future directions of AI in college admissions, considering its impact on access, equity, and the overall student experience.

Alphabet Soup – Demystifying AICEP for HECA Members
This session will provide an update on the evolving nature of the field, the role of American Institute of Certified Educational Planners, and exploring the value-proposition of becoming a Certified Educational Planner (CEP).

Am I D1? Advising Aspiring Collegiate Student-Athletes
Guiding student-athletes to find their best fit in intercollegiate athletics is a multi-faceted challenge. Our panel will discuss the overall landscape of college sports with a view towards helping IEC’s understand the commitments, benefits and intricacies of determining academic, athletic, social, and financial fit.

Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation: Where do College Students Stand in 2024?
45 days into 2024, nearly 400 anti-LGBTQ+ state bills had been filed, many of them targeting adults and working to end legal recognition for trans people. College counselors know to look four years down the road when recommending schools to LGBTQ+ students. What’s changed in 2024, and where are we headed in the future? What can colleges do to protect students and resist policies that put them in danger? How can counselors recommend best-fit schools for LGBTQ+ students? In this session, a panel of college leaders and experts on LGBTQ+ students tackles this topic head-on.

Beyond Admissions: Supporting Successful Student Transition
The transition from high school to college can be a challenging one. How can counselors help students prepare for their exciting new journey? How do colleges facilitate a successful transition? Join our expert panel who will discuss this topic. From academic and social adjustments to building a support network, learn what makes a successful transition into college easier. Gather tips and tools you can share with students and parents.

Beyond the Scoreboard: Visualizing Trends in College Sports & Admissions
What can we learn about the college athletics landscape by merging the Equity in Athletics database with the NCAA Transfer Portal, college athletics rankings, admissions statistics, and financial aid data? Join The Student-Athlete Advisors and Moore College Data as we ask insightful questions and provide valuable perspectives through dynamic data visualizations for counselors who want to dive into the relationships and trends intertwining college sports and admissions.

Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Best Practices for IEC/Client Contract Terminations
Usually, our professional relationships work well. We get along with our clients, who are thrilled with our work and often become excellent referral sources. Occasionally, however, those relationships don’t go as planned. What happens when a client makes unreasonable demands and the relationship becomes untenable for you? What if a client fires you and then demands a refund? Are these possibilities covered in your contract? Should they be? Learning how to navigate the stormy seas of an IEC/client break-up is difficult, but necessary. Three seasoned IECs will discuss best practices for diplomatically handling charged relationships, offering advice on ways to gracefully exit such situations and even some tips for spotting “red flags” before the relationship even begins.

College: The Money Part
This session covers how families can pay for college through out-of-pocket expenses, grants, scholarships, and loans. It helps students find the best academic, cultural, and financial fit for them. HECA counselors will gain new knowledge to inspire and assist families with college finances.

Cracking the Code of Next-Gen Admissions Testing
The new digital adaptive SAT is here. Thousands of students, both in the U.S. and internationally, have now taken this new test. In this session, the panel will give an overview of the test and discuss the student test-taking experience. We will also review the current testing policy landscape to give IECs a better understanding of it and to help them make recommendations to their students and families. The panel will also discuss the impact of federal and state legislation on the use of the test scores. Please join us for what will be a lively and informative session.

Demystifying Yield: Maximizing Admissions Success
Though some may be more explicit about it than others, all colleges think about yield, just like they all care about app numbers and acceptance rates. But what does this mean for the applicant? What does it mean for those advising high school students? This session will discuss all of the ways that colleges consider yield and incorporate tools to “protect” their yield. We’ll talk about why colleges do this and how counselors of all types can be strategic when advising students with applications while assisting them to understand and embrace this part of the process.

Empowering Futures: Women’s Colleges in Modern Education
In the evolving landscape of higher education, women’s colleges offer unique opportunities often overlooked in the college selection process. For Independent Educational Consultants (IECs), guiding students toward these institutions requires an understanding of their benefits, including significant financial aid and merit aid support. This session will address the role of women’s colleges in empowering female-identifying students and how IECs can effectively introduce these options. We will explore strategies to discuss the value of women’s colleges, focusing on financial advantages, and how to engage Gen Z students in meaningful conversations about gender and education.

Executive Function: How to Improve College Outcomes for Neurodivergent Students
Fewer neurodivergent students pursue higher education than their neurotypical peers and, when they do, they complete post-secondary degrees at a substantially lower rate. Why? It’s not because they’re less intelligent or capable. Academic ability is simply not enough. Executive function (EF) skills predict learning and achievement more accurately than IQ, and many neurodivergent students struggle with EF. How can we help students strengthen the EF and self-advocacy skills they need for college success? Learn concrete, research-based strategies and techniques you can employ as you work with students on the college search and application process.

How and When to Consider Research and Other Deep Learning Opportunities
For students seeking opportunities to distinguish and challenge themselves beyond the classroom research has become a popular consideration. Yet, for many, research seems out of reach, ambiguous, or overly demanding with regard to the time and financial commitment. This panel of IECs and a former Columbia admissions officer will examine the roots of the question. What skills does a research opportunity develop in students? Are there other opportunities that demonstrate and hone similar skills? What are admissions officers considering when they evaluate research, and are all research opportunities weighed equally? Join us for case studies and examples.

IEC Success On YOUR Mind
This business builder breakout session is a guide to mindful mastery, delving into best business practices, ethical guidelines, marketing strategies, and essential insights for entrepreneurs in the field. Join us as we harmonize the intricacies of the college consulting landscape, drawing inspiration from each other while sharing insight and wisdom. Discover how to navigate challenges, elevate your consultancy, and keep HECA on your mind as you embark on a fulfilling and successful venture in the world of higher education consulting.

Inclusivity: Making Your Practice Inclusive for All
In this “coffee talk” workshop, participants will explore notions and best practices of “inclusivity,” focusing on ways you and your business can become more inclusive to all. Participants will learn how marketing strategies, materials, forms, documents, and in-person visits can cohesively tell a story of inclusivity. Let’s discuss how we can work to create a more inclusive tomorrow.

Kira Klarity: Kutting Through the Komplexity of Asynchronous AI Interviews
This session offers a deep dive into preparing students for the unique challenges of asynchronous Kira AI interviews. Learn strategies to enhance crafting your student’s “frame,” connecting with the camera, and effective cognitive strategies tailored to Kira’s AI evaluation.

LD/ND/ADHD Programs of Excellence
Through a multiple-case study, I interviewed directors of academic support centers, many of whom had initiated the extended support provided through their offices. I conducted focus groups with their staff and interviewed 3-5 faculty members at each campus to learn the types of support offered and how it translates in the classroom. I learned about nuanced initiatives intentionally designed to offer comprehensive support. Some leaders who thought they were innovative and giving 200% were just providing a compliance level of support. Each that offered moderate supports provided them to both undergrads and grads. Several faculty members intentionally sought to have students from the program included in their classes and introductory math was managed without double sessions so students would not have to do remediation. Others offered mentorship, intentionally connecting with students who needed additional support. Another College had an open system for any student to receive EF sessions by appointment with no limits and was housed in the library close to the tutoring center where all students came for something. One College had a large staff dedicated to routine EF support sessions, certain faculty selected for inclusive instruction, an annual Ability Awareness Week with guest speakers including Temple Grandin, a summer program to aid with transition, and offices in a common facility, normalizing visits for all. A state university offered an extended Spanish language program, permitting students to meet foreign language requirement spreading out 2 terms over 4 to allow extended time for processing. A few other colleges do this in other regions. Another public institution provided a center for students to do their homework where there would be accountability. There is no standard for providing moderate support; an innovative leader in each program looks at their students and asks how they can serve this population better and experiments until they find the right balance. IECs who specialize in supporting LD/ND/ADHD do much of this type of investigation to offer best options when forming school lists.

Maximizing ROI through Career Assessments
Join us as we explore the transformative impact of career assessments on students’ academic journeys. Discover how strategic career guidance enhances decision-making, aligns academic pursuits with personal aspirations, and ultimately maximizes the return on investment in college education. This session will highlight practical approaches to empower students in making informed choices, fostering academic engagement, and preparing them for a successful and fulfilling future. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the key role career assessment plays in shaping students’ paths toward long-term success and the ROI of college.

NACAC Presents: College Admission Counseling Trends You Need to Know
The last few years have resulted in sweeping changes to the college admissions counseling landscape. In this session, NACAC will unpack the latest admissions trends, presenting key takeaways to empower your work as an IEC. NACAC’s research and analysis will be enriched by perspectives from college and admission counseling professionals. You won’t want to miss this deep dive into the latest shifts in the field.

Navigating International Pathways to US Colleges and Universities
This conference session aims to provide counselors with the essential knowledge and skills required to adeptly assist international students throughout the intricate journey of applying to selective US universities. Our goal is to impart valuable insights into the distinctive requirements of international applications. This includes discussing English language proficiency expectations, understanding the impact of financial need on the admissions process, and offering guidance on constructing a compelling application within the context of a progressively competitive application landscape.

Navigating University Education in Oceania: A Counselor’s Survival Guide
In the dynamic landscape of global education, exploring opportunities beyond North American borders has become increasingly crucial. This session delves into the unique aspects of pursuing a university degree in Australia and New Zealand, collectively known as the Oceania region, and equips high school counselors with the insights needed to guide students through this exciting academic journey.

Taking a comparative approach to the North American higher education system, discover the nuances of application requirements, academic calendars, affordability, expedited pathways to professional programs, and more. Students who complete a degree in Oceania can look forward to gaining cross-cultural communication skills essential to success in the world’s growing international landscape and academic environment.

Learn how to empower students to make well-informed decisions about pursuing a degree in Oceania, whilst obtaining answers to: What’s out there? How do I begin the process? Who is the right fit?

At the conclusion of the session participants will be better able to provide informed guidance on navigating the unique facets of Australia and New Zealand’s education systems.

Optimizing AI in Your Practice
The AI revolution is upon us, affecting college admissions, holistic review, college research, and best practices for IECs. Savvy consultants are learning how to use AI to optimally run their practices. Let’s do a quick review of the major advancements in AI, what’s coming in the near term and what that means for us and our students. And bring your laptops! We are going to dive into the large language models and practice generating smarter prompts for categories such as college research, client communication, and test prep. Let’s learn together how to tap into the powerful new tools in our space.

Our Most Challenging Situations
We all have cases that stump us and difficult situations that concern us — and sometimes break our hearts. Have you experienced a difficult situation? How did you handle it? How did things end? Is there anything you would do differently? Did you have someplace to turn for advice? Join me to discuss. After a brief talk at the start, this will become an interactive audience driven, discussion-based session.

Positive Partnerships with Parents: Embracing the New Normal
Family engagement in the college search, selection, and transition process has continuously increased over the past five years. As a result, consultants, college admission counselors, and school counselors have had to adjust their approaches to meet the needs of both the student and the expectations of their parents. This presentation will highlight the importance of positively partnering with families through strategies that foster understanding, trust, and collaboration. Data, trends, and tools will be shared to help consultants support clients as they make informed choices and successfully transition into college life.

Preventative College Funding Medicine – How to Tackle the 4-year College Funding Plan on Your Terms
We all hear the buzzword “affordability” these days, when it comes to funding college. But what does that mean? What is affordable for the families you work with? What does the college believe is affordable from their perspective? Learn how to manage client expectations and help them focus on finding “financial fits” for their students.

Serving the Profoundly Gifted Student: Strategies and Resources
With their intellectual curiosity and high ability, profoundly gifted students would seem like the easiest population to serve. However, they have special needs and challenges that deserve attention. They are often on a different timeline than other students, from accelerated classes to early college, and their learning needs are markedly different. In this session, we will go over resources and strategies to serve this population, including information on alternative school pathways, the crucial role of advocacy, the importance of cohort and community for both students and families, and programs that exist to meet these students’ needs.

Stop Saying Yes to Everything and Start Asking for What You Want
We are often pulled in multiple directions, faced with the challenge of too many requests and too little time. The end result? Stress and even burnout from the overwhelm of constant pressure to say “yes” to everything while not being able to ask for what you need and want.

In this transformative workshop we’ll dive into the realm of somatic wisdom and its profound impact on your overall well-being. Explore setting boundaries, expressing your needs, and confidently saying no as essential tools for cultivating a life of health and wellness. Through this experiential journey, you’ll discover effective techniques to assert your boundaries, communicate your needs, and confidently ask for what you truly want.

By tapping into your body’s innate wisdom, you’ll find relief from the burdens of excessive obligations and experience a newfound sense of freedom and balance. Join us as we empower you to embrace a life of authenticity, where saying “yes” becomes a deliberate choice.

Supporting Students: What Matters Most and How Do Scottish Universities Do It?
What a student looks for in their ideal College experience can often raise more questions than answers as they begin this journey. This session focuses on highlighting some of the key factors that influence student decision making and how Universities in Scotland support their students. Using insights from leading sector student surveys (QS, ISS etc.) and personal experiences from over 10 years of International Admissions, reps will provide hints, tips and advice on how institutions support their students in the following areas; Teaching & learning, International students welcome, Culture/Lifestyle, Reputation & Rankings

The Canadian University Application Process: From Eh to Zed
Canadian universities offer excellent academic programs at relatively affordable prices. While the application process is uncomplicated, many popular universities require personal statements and supplements, including evaluative interviews. Through this presentation, we’ll provide an overview of the application process, how application elements are used, and insight into what your students can expect.

The Future of Essay Writing: AI and Human Collaboration
Since the highly anticipated debut of ChatGPT in 2022, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has garnered significant attention within the realm of education. Nevertheless, many educators remain unfamiliar with its practical applications in their day to day work. In this presentation, attendees will explore the ways educators can employ AI-powered tools to enhance college essay writing for students. We will showcase these tools in action, emphasizing the concept of “human-centered AI” and how educators can leverage them to optimize various tasks. We will also address the ethical considerations surrounding AI utilization in college essay development. No prior experience with AI tools is necessary.

Thinking Critically in College: How to Help Students Build Smarter College Lists
This session will explore two topics. A) How can understanding a college or university’s academic support programs (both for students and faculty) inform our work helping students determine best fit as they build college lists and apply to college? B) How can we help students prepare for a smooth academic transition to college? Resources will be shared from the former Dean of Academic Advising and Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at Stanford.

UK 101: From Degree Types and University Options to Culture in the UK
British Council and UK university representatives will explain what makes UK degrees different from those that can be gained in the US. Presenters will go over degree types, university types, education styles, as well as similarities and differences that will be useful for participants to understand when matching students’ expectations and preferences to their university options when they are considering studying in the UK.

Unlocking Potential: Empower Students to Elevate their Profiles & Shine Bright
Uncover strategies that allow students to enhance their profiles, empowering Taylor Typical to shine without the hefty price tag. Show them how to display their full potential and shine bright in competitive admissions. Discussions will include actionable steps to help students highlight academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal narratives, crafting a well-rounded profile showcasing their unique strengths and accomplishments.

Using Cognitive Assessments to Improve Student Connections and Outcomes
Have you considered why your counseling style resonates exceptionally with some students? Excited to learn new ways to customize your approach to resonate more deeply with your students? Explore the world of analyzing student cognitive functions! Gain an understanding into the science of how student brains process, retain, and apply learning. Foster success in high school and college while promoting appropriate test prep and other academic support recommendations. Discover how to explore college fit in a customized, data-driven way that will facilitate meaningful discussions and strengthen connection, creating a space where students feel more valued, heard, and seen.

What is an Archetype and How Does it Relate to My Branding?
Building a brand is not just about designing a website, or creating a logo or tagline, it’s about crafting a story and connecting with your clients. By clarifying your message and distinguishing yourself from others, you can draw focus away from pricing and attract clients who value your unique offerings. Using an interactive format, this session teaches you how to identify and relate to archetypes, and how to use them to create your most authentic and powerful story- your brand.

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