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Events and Sessions

Education Sessions
  • Education Session 1 | Wednesday, July 12 9:00-10:00 AM
    Location: GC 140 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
     What is GPT, exactly? Simply put, Generative Pre-trained Transformer is a language model that can produce text in almost any genre you can think of. It’s able to do this because it’s been trained on a massive amount of text dataa (we’re talking billions of sentences) so that it’s learned patterns and relationships to be able to write about basically any topic that’s on the internet.
    There is no denying innovative technologies like artificial intelligence have been useful at technology companies for years. From building language course content to developing items for standardized tests, AI has been instrumental in scaling products we use on a daily basis. But how will public access to GPT influence the admission process and higher education more broadly? This session will reveal some of the risks and rewards that will enter our industry alongside a technology that is here to stay.
    Panelists:
    Kevin Hostetler, Duolingo English Test
    Masha Kostromitina, Duolingo English Test
    Charlie Leizear, Occidental College

    Location: TAM 121 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All 
    The first year at university can be intense and challenging. You are (far) away from home and everything is different, especially if you are an international student. What are common challenges students face in their first year and how can we help them prepare before they join the university? Presenters will provide guidance through case studies and their personal stories.
    Panelists:
    Skyler Bentley Hall, Bentley Hall Educational Consulting
    Alex Gachanja, The University of Winnipeg
    Manju Sharma, B D Somani International School
    Kim Zwitserloot, University College Utrecht
    Location: SASC 325 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
    The growing number and diversity of options make a Chinese university education more accessible than ever, even to students who never considered an international program. Students interested in pursuing degrees in China have many options, even if they have minimal or zero Chinese language skills. In this panel we will make counselors aware of the range and qualities of undergraduate degree programs in China taught entirely in English, such as Sino-US joint ventures like Duke Kunshan University and New York University Shanghai; Sino-UK schools including Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and University of Nottingham Ningbo; and the recently established Westlake University, an international research-focused university with strong science and engineering programs. The panel will explore the qualities and characteristics of students excelling at these institutions with an eye towards helping counselors first identify, then guide globally-minded students towards the appropriate program based on fit, and ultimately increase their student’s chances of being admitted.
    Panelists:
    Russell Davis, Duke Kunshan University
    Phoebe Lou, University of Nottingham Ningbo
    David Nah, Harbin Wanbang School
    Michael Reed, Westlake University
    Location: GL 100B | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual | Experience Level: All
    Have you been thinking about whether college counseling is (or still is) the right profession for you? Are you thinking about making a big change in your life? Or maybe you've come to the realization that the status quo in your job is not sustainable? Many of us have experienced significant change and challenges in our personal and professional lives the past few years. There has always been uncertainty in the field of college admission, but in many ways, the current higher education ecosystem requires personal evolution, flexibility and maybe even a reimagining of our jobs. By joining us for this session you will most certainly hear some vulnerable and candid story-telling, but it’s our hope in offering the session that you will leave us with ideas and inspiration as you consider taking a personal or professional risk, navigate exhaustion, and embark on your own journey of re-discovering your why.
    Panelists:
    Ivan Hauck, The Archer School for Girls
    Christina McDade, Lincoln Community School
    Dexter Padayachee, African Leadership Academy
    Joe Tavares, Jakarta Intercultural School
    Location: GC 355 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
    Despite the enormous value they bring to our campus communities, refugees and displaced students are among the most underserved when it comes to university access. Learn emerging best practices from universities who are exploring, beginning, and expanding their recruitment of refugees. Hear why doing the work to enroll refugee students is worth the effort, why more private companies should engage with this work, and how refugee students can offer invaluable perspectives in a campus community. Together, let’s pave a better way for displaced students and the universities that will gain from their immense talents and skills.
    Panelists:
    Beau Benson, Northeastern University
    Isthier Chaudhury, Swarthmore College
    Shawn Felton, Cornell University
    Laura Kaub, Duolingo English Test
    Emma McLeavey-Weeder, Duolingo English Test
    Location: SIPA 125 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
    Advocacy is at the heart of what we do. This session will go over four case studies where admissions officers and counselors used a combination of data, creativity, and grit to advocate for meaningful changes at their institutions.
    Discover how counselors leveraged metrics to change a university’s policy on testing, yield, and recruitment; Duolingo English Test data to galvanize a high school’s strategy towards English proficiency; storytelling data to push for equity between international students and domestic students in regard to scholarships; and industry research from test providers, regional experts, and peer practices to update English language requirements for international admissions.
    Learn how to push for progress no matter where your institution is in its evolution, and create better practices, procedures, and policies that support students seeking access to higher education.
    Panelists:
    Anna Bradford, Millersville University
    Ramiro Campos, Haile-Manas Academy
    Rebecca Hansen, The College of Wooster
    Joan Liu, Second Chance
    Adam Wu, University of La Verne
    Location: GC 150 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual | Experience Level: Beginner, Intermediate
    This presentation will equip counselors from US-curriculum high schools with guidance and resources to better advise their students for opportunities at UK universities. Together we will explore the types of learners that thrive in selective UK universities, as well as provide an overview of admissions requirements and tips for advising students in this process. In conversation with UK admissions leaders, this session will also bring into focus differences in the way candidates are considered and evaluated in the admissions process. We will be comparing and contrasting the different opportunities in Scotland and England.
    Panelists:
    Beth Shotton , University of St Andrews
    Natalie Smith, TASIS, The American School in England
    Eric Steere, Thomas Jefferson School
    Roshan Walkerley, University of Cambridge
    Location: GC 243 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual, Post-Secondary (College & University) | Experience Level: Intermediate, Experienced
    Grade inflation (at the high school level) . . . What is it? Does it exist? Do we understand it correctly? Through our different lenses (schools/universities) we think it exists to varying degrees, dependent on region and/or curriculum. Do schools ‘feel’ they have to assign ever better grades to their students to give them ‘a chance’? And what about when the increase in results is politically driven? Are universities able to understand the true context of an application in terms of academic merit? Are students struggling to keep up by building themselves an ever more rigorous curriculum when possible?
    We’ve all heard the term ‘grade inflation’ batted around here and there but we think it’s time for focused conversation on this topic – join us so we can start talking about it!

    While ‘us’ is a diverse panel of school and university members, we consider the session attendees to be part of the panel as we would like this to be a conversation.
    Panelists:
    Agnes Horvath, Milestone Oktatási Egyesület
    Karen J'bari, McGill University
    Natalie La Balme, Ecole Jeannine Manuel
    Kaye-Lani Laughna, Davidson College
    Location: GC 188 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual | Experience Level: Beginner, Intermediate
    One of the best ways to elevate your skills, learn new knowledge, and keep up to date with emerging trends is to tap into your local college counseling community. Here are three examples of counselor communities that have grown over the years to become robust teams that share local resources, coordinate university visits, facilitate university fairs, and even run regional conferences. These counselor communities are shining examples of how the sum can be greater than its parts. Learn how to create, launch, or develop your local counselor network by listening to leaders who have grown local counselor networks.
    Panelists:
    Tannaz Daver, St. Joseph's Institution International
    Marissa Gambardella, Concourse Global Enrollment, Inc.
    Wilson Lee, Singapore American School
    Asuman Okman, The Koç School
    Jennifer Tassell, International School of Panama
    Location: DM 100 | Audience: Post-Secondary (College & University) | Experience Level: All 
    Universities across the globe contract with commission-based recruitment agents in their work to enroll international students, but this practice varies considerably across institutions and in some countries has been controversial. Partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and partly due to shifts in the international education landscape, more universities are considering using recruitment agents than ever. Please join four university representatives from three different countries (US, Canada, and the Netherlands), with a range of experiences working with agents, as we explore how a university decides to use agents, ethical considerations, and best practices for managing these partnerships once launched.
    Panelists:
    José Hanani Juma, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
    Carolyn O'Keefe, Memorial University of Newfoundland
    Molly Witt, University of Vermont
    Location: PVH 100 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual, Post-Secondary (College & University) | Experience Level: All 
    In recent years school leaders have started to question the validity of a traditional secondary school transcript, and many have raised questions on if there might be a new or better way to assess student learning and competencies. From these conversations a number of new assessment models have been born, among them the Mastery Transcript, Global Citizen Diploma, and the Learner Passport. With the growth in these new assessment methodologies, however, there’s also cause for concern. Universities and schools alike are asking questions about how these might introduce additional biases into admission decisions, or the impact new and more complex transcripts may have on the resources needed in schools and universities. Join us for a balanced and candid discussion with viewpoints from both sides as we come together to help sort through the issues that have been raised with the growth of new assessment models.
    Panelists:
    Eddie Arteaga, Mastery Transcript Consortium
    Krista Despotovic-Jacobson, International School of Geneva, La Chataigneraie
    Sue Garrett, University of Bath
    Ffiona Rees, University of California, Los Angeles
    Katryna Snow, Council of International Schools
  • Education Session 2 | Wednesday, July 12 11:15 AM-12:15 PM
     
    Location: GC 118 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
    Who wrote this? AI or our session panelists? Come find out. Whether you are a university, college, high school, independent counselor, or vendor, AI is here to stay. This session will explore sample AI platforms, troubleshooting from all sides, and seek to discuss what an "authentic" application means when we know that AI will be an inevitable part of writing across industries.
    Panelists:
    Gloria Chyou Crawford, InitialView
    Jennifer Hirsch, Claremont McKenna College
    Sheen Luo, Kunming No. 1 High School International Education
    Tina MacDonald, College of Charleston
    Caitlin Worsham, CPC Global Education
     
    Location: SIPA 125 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
    AP, IB, Cambridge International – all rigorous programs that prepare students well for university success. Representatives from all three organizations will share details about our different curricular offerings. Join a conversation about how our courses are regarded in the admissions process. Our focus is putting students first and serving schools and universities.
    Panelists:
    James Bishop, Cambridge Assessment International Education
    Jonathan Burdick, Cornell University
    Rushi Sheth, The College Board
    Marie Vivas, International Baccalaureate Organization
     
    Location: TAM 121 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
     
    This session will provide a framework for both AOs and counselors to simplify data usage in their day-to-day practice and empower all to transition from data overwhelm to data efficiency. Using our institutions/schools as case studies, we will provide a roadmap for identifying the most critical data points, ensuring data integrity, translating and visualizing large data sets, and using the key metrics to drive decision-making in recruitment and yield management for universities and colleges to drive college counseling in high schools. Our aim is to equip participants with new knowledge and practical ways of:
    I. Engaging with big data, predictive and prescriptive analytics,
    II. Using national and international trends,
    III. Using their own institutional data,
    IV. Incorporating universities' and colleges' more nuanced metrics into college admissions advising.
    Panelists:
    Beau Benson, Northeastern University
    Ruby Cheng, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
    Bridget Coughlin, Halcyon International School
    Sophia Hua, Beijing National Day School
    Pan Luo, Brandeis University
     
    Location: DM 100 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
     
    The world as we knew it has forever changed and so has admissions and counseling work with more major changes on the horizon. Amid a global pandemic, mental health crises, a worldwide reckoning on systemic racism, fluctuating economies, and increased selectivity in admissions, how do we continue to center our work in ethical practice in 2023 when we are under so much pressure? Join International ACAC and NACAC representatives to unpack NACAC's Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission, to engage in discussions regarding ethical dilemmas, and to highlight best ways to support students from all sides of the desk.
    Panelists:
    Ruby Bhattacharya, Barnard College
    Vern Granger, University of Connecticut
    Ramie Jacobson, UWC South East Asia, Dover Campus
    Ffiona Rees, University of California, Los Angeles
    Nan Zhang, WLSA Shanghai Academy
     
    Location: PVH 100 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
    Looking beyond the traditional international study locations, this panel will highlight the student experience in Australia, Scotland and Wales. We will explore student life in these countries, including academic culture, student housing, on/off campus activities, and building community. Counselors will learn tools to advise students of new and exciting international study options, and identify which students will succeed in these countries.
    Panelists:
    Arddun Arwyn, Aberystwyth University
    Donna Gall, University of Glasgow
    Julia Jerving, University of Melbourne
     
    Location: GL 100B | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
    A school-based counselor’s objective is to fully support a student in their college application process. An independent educational consultant’s objective is to fully support a student in their college application process. Therefore, why has it been so historically difficult for these professionals to work in tandem? In this session, we will share how leveraging complementary angles has worked for us, how universities react to this style of collaboration, and how other professionals in the field could replicate our practice.
    Panelists:
    Kindel Hollis, Trinity University
    Diego Lopez-Calleja, Lincoln School
    Renee Lurie, Independent Educational Consultant
    Monica Orlich, MovED Educational Consulting
    Kindel Hollis, Trinity University
     
    Location: GC 243 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All

    Educators from this year’s International ACAC Scholar Cohort will share information about the success their students have achieved at home and overseas in spite of significant obstacles. The Scholars will provide valuable insights about support systems they have built for students. They also welcome your questions!
    Panelists:
    David Bett, Tujenge Africa Foundation
    Roza Jeladyan, Shirakatsy Lyceum International Scientific Educational Complex
    Kaosarn Kasor, Thamavitya Mulniti School
    Emmanuel Ngolefac, Government Bilingual High School, Bafoussam Rural
    Michelle Trimpe, University of Chicago
     
    Location: GC 150 | Audience: All | Experience Level: Experienced

    This session is designed for people who have been working in higher education for over 10 years, who have been conducting the same type of work day-in, day-out and are looking to broaden their opportunities. Members of the panel have been in this field for nearly two decades or more each and have worked on different sides of the desk at different types of schools. They will discuss the challenges and successes they’ve experienced. This is an opportunity for the audience to also engage in meaningful dialogue with one another sharing ideas.
    Panelists:
    Joe Giacalone, Marist College
    Becky Konowicz, Santa Clara University
    Ray Marx, Colegio Americano de Quito
    David Zutautas, Independent Member
     
    Location: GC 140 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
    The pandemic has ushered in a new recruitment and admissions landscape that students, counselors, and admission leaders alike are learning to navigate. Join us for a conversation with representatives from both sides of the desk as we discuss changing admission requirements, innovations in testing, and the value of student choice when submitting scores is optional. What role can college entrance exams and English language proficiency tests play as institutions prioritize equity and access for international students, and work to support success in their post-secondary studies?
    Panelists:
    Matt Bonser, Colorado College
    Michelle Chow-Liu, Western Academy of Beijing
    Jody Glassman, Florida International University
    Kevin Hostetler, Duolingo English Test
    Jeffrey Neill, Graded - The American School of São Paulo
    Scott Smith, The College Board
     
    Location: SASC 352 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
     
    Mental health challenges among college-age students have increasingly grown over the years and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Join a high school counselor, college representatives and an educational access non-profit to discuss strategies on students’ mental health and wellness. Learn how these different institutions/organizations are collecting data to learn about students’ mental health and well-being, share out their strategies that support students’ wellness, and take away actionable ideas that can be implemented at your institutions.
    Panelists:
    Mick Amundson-Geisel, The International School Yangon
    Elisa Edmondson, Ashinaga USA
    Olivia Loo, Pasadena City College
    Megan Mankerian-Stem, Gen Next Education, Inc.
     
    Location: GC 355 | Audience: Post-Secondary (College & University) | Experience Level: Intermediate, Experienced
     
    Do you lead, or aspire to lead a high-performing recruitment and admissions team?
    Join us for a one-year check-in, following a dynamic and audience interactive conversation hosted in 2022 in Albuquerque.
    This 2.0 panel and discussion will continue to explore what it takes to make the move from road warrior to team leadership. Contribute to dialogue as we formalize candid conference conversations on the subject of transitions into leadership, the challenges, rewards, and realities of team leadership.
    Let's further the conversation, as we continue to navigate the challenges of recruiting and retaining high-impact teams, explore what this past year has been like with a breadth of return-to-work requests, the implementation of alternative work arrangements, and hybrid work models. What trends and sector changes have our panel of leaders, and audience members seen in the last year of global student recruitment and admissions?
    Panelists:
    Carolyn Barr, Leiden University
    Shannon Bracken , Ontario Tech University
    Emily Mancuso, University of Toronto Mississauga
    Molly Witt, University of Vermont
     
     
     
  • Education Session 3 | Wednesday, July 12 3:00-4:00 PM
    Location: GC 243 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual, Post-Secondary (College & University) | Experience Level: Intermediate
     
    Do you struggle with getting students to embody the concept of best fit and not best school? This presentation will explore an opportunity called the junior project that seeks to assist students in personal and academic reflection through a structured powerpoint presentation that culminates with them identifying multiple schools that are the best fit for their individual needs. We will also discuss how universities can help echo the message of best fit during their high school visits.
    Panelists:
    Phil Abraham, American Community School of Abu Dhabi
    Katie Leishear, American School of Brasilia
    Jeffrey Neill, Graded - The American School of São Paulo
     
    Location: GC 140 | Audience: All | Experience Level: Beginner, Intermediate
    In a world where competition seems to drive decisions, the character and attitude of the student often gets lost in the shuffle of GPA, test scores, and the right kind of recs. This session will focus on ways counselors can infuse more activities focusing on the social-emotional needs of students for better outcomes for the student. The session will feature research from brain science, best practices, and the work of Making Caring Common. Participants will walk away with some tangible practices, whether their school has a counselor of one or one of many.
    Panelists:
    Megan Mankerian-Stem, Gen Next Education, Inc.
    Christina McDade, Lincoln Community School
    Ango Paul Mwakisu , NYU Abu Dhabi
    Sonia Soni, Aditya Birla World Academy
     
    Location: GC 150 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual | Experience Level: All
    We will be delivering a brief presentation, outlining:
    • Brief overview and history of the range of institutions across the UK, why does that matter?
    • Myth-busting preconceived notions and ideas about the UK and studying there
    • What universities offer students - where and how to find this out, including
    - Degree content
    - What are students buying into
    - What do they study and how they are assessed
    - Employability opportunities
    - Niche subjects/specialized subject areas
    - Challenges
    • Rankings and statistics – simple pointers to make sense of the data

    There will be a range of student testimonials (recordings and live) to give counselors understanding from the student point of view, of their experiences in choosing and applying to institutions in the UK. Having students live (likely to be virtual) during the event will allow for interactivity with counselors able to ask questions.
    Panelists:
    Lyndsey Ashton, Manchester Metropolitan University
    Andrew Hamilton, University of Dundee
    Jonny Hill, Ulster University
    Rachel Holzinger, Cardiff University
    Sohvi Riekkinen, Northumbria University
     
    Location: SASC 352 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual, Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO) | Experience Level: Experienced

    For the past two decades, engineering was the most competitive program that students were applying to. And then, a few years ago, a new trend began to emerge. Computer science has now eclipsed engineering. As the number of prospective computer science applicants has risen, secondary school counselors find themselves struggling to find a wider range of programs for students to apply to.
    What do counselors need to know about this important major? What is the best curricular preparation for students who want to pursue a career in this field? And how can counselors support these curricular choices and help students find HEI options, regardless of whether the student is towards the top or bottom of the class?
    Panelists:
    Graham Barnes, University of Waterloo
    Rebecca Kelley, Concourse Global Enrollment, Inc.
    Petra Marlin, The University of Southern Mississippi
    Nick Skeavington, University of York
     
    Location: GL 100B | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual, Post-Secondary (College & University) | Experience Level: Intermediate, Experienced
    While we all have positive intentions to counsel and advocate for, admit and enroll refugee students, there is a lot more work needed to understand how best to assist students who have been displaced and living as refugees. This session will give perspectives from both counselors working with refugee students on the African continent and admissions officers who have intentionally worked as part of a task force on how to be more refugee-inclusive in their colleges' admissions and enrollment policies. We intend this session to provide practical tips and give a realistic view of the challenges refugee students face and the work needed for them to navigate them.
    Panelists:
    James Akaba, Open Dreams
    David Bett, Tujenge Africa Foundation
    Markus Burns, Williams College
    Ashley Pallie, California Institute of Technology
    Rebecca Zeigler Mano, Education Matters
     
    Location: GC 355 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
    What does it mean to be an international student today? This session will examine the implications of the rise of internationally-oriented high school curricula worldwide, following on the success of the IB.

    How effective are these diplomas in promoting bilingualism, global citizenship, and critical thinking within the framework of national or state curricula? To what extent are these diplomas also an elite marketing tool for aspirational families?
     
    We will introduce several examples, such as the new Baccalauréat Français International (BFI), Spain’s bilingual schools, the AP International Diploma (APID), and Cambridge IGSCEs/ A-Levels in non-UK schools. Our panel of international university admissions officers will then discuss how they evaluate such candidates and how these diplomas contribute to student success at their institutions.
    Panelists:
    Catherine Boalch, Lycee International de Saint Germain en Laye
    Alban Ferrieu, The Uni Advisor
    Nathan Mack, University of Southern California
    Elisa Melendez, IE University
    Charlie Pybus, Durham University
     
    Location: PVH 100 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual, Post-Secondary (College & University) | Experience Level: All
     
    The world has changed astronomically in the past 20, 10, 5, or 2 years. Doing things the same way we’ve done them for years is not accessible or engaging for today’s Gen Z students. We can change our approach to intrigue students and make the process delightful, while still maintaining a rigorous and holistic admissions process. Ultimately, this approach is going to give you a better view of the whole student AND make the process fun and exploratory as opposed to stressful and inaccessible.
    Panelists:
    Georges Macheta, Student at the University of St. Thomas
    John Nesbitt, Duolingo English Test
    Dinorah Rechani, The Columbus School
    Michelle Trimpe, University of Chicago
     
    Location: GC 118 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
    Reverse admissions is an entirely new approach to college admissions that flips the script on the traditional admissions model. This novel approach, in which universities come to students (rather than the other way around) creates new opportunities and challenges in supporting international students post admission. Listen to a few case studies on how institutions have used this new admissions model to make international education more accessible, as a way to diversify their incoming student classes and help students broaden their options.
    Panelists:
    Brittany Adams, Navitas University Pathways
    Rebecca Hansen, The College of Wooster
    Joe Morrison, Concourse Global Enrollment, Inc.
    Jennifer Tassell, International School of Panama
     
     
    Location: SIPA 125 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
    This session situates student mobility, one of the key features of internationalization, within the framework of queer studies to conduct a comparative analysis of the means through (and the extent to) which universities in the UK and the US create an inclusive and welcoming space for their students. Simultaneously, the presentation will review benchmarking instruments such as the Campus Pride Index (in the US) and Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme (in the UK) to create a handy tool for college counselors for evaluating institutions on inclusivity. A cross-institutional collaboration across academic faculty, admissions, and counseling, the session promotes reflection on and engagement with the role played by gender and sexuality in student recruitment and experience.
    Panelists:
    Dane Rowley, California Lutheran University
    Swati Shrestha, International School Bangkok
    Amritesh Singh, University of St Andrews
     
    Location: TAM 121 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual, Post-Secondary (College & University) | Experience Level: All
    Whether we like it or not, the era of AI is here. With ChatGPT writing college essays, passing medical school exams and even prescribing medication, there’s no limit to what it can do as it continues to improve and enhance its functionality. This has raised great concerns among admission professionals about the authenticity of the application files that they have received and will receive in the future. But AI is here to stay and as we learn to co-exist with it, it is more urgent than ever for admission officers to be innovative and nimble-minded about their international recruitment strategies.
    This session aims to share best practices of exciting, innovative and effective ways of engaging with international markets with a focus on China beyond the traditional recruitment models to counter the potential negative effects of AI (and we are not just talking about interviews).
    Panelists:
    Solomon Enos, Duke University
    Xiaofeng Wan, Amherst College
    John Yi, Yale University
    Li Zhang, Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School
    Nan Zhang, WLSA Shanghai Academy
     
    Location: DM 100 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
    It takes a village to recruit, develop, and support a diverse international student community within the context of global higher education. A panel of seasoned experts, representing various flavors of institutions (including our sister organization, NACAC), will explore key themes & challenges impacting our International ACAC family of members. These themes include:
    • understanding the future of finding college matches;
    • globalizing access/ inclusion/ belonging/ welcomeness initiatives;
    • serving as ambassadors & advocates for the college career counseling worldwide; and
    • anticipating major shifts in global student decision-making and demographics (with a focus on affordability & return-on-investment, especially with the emergence of the global South as source of student mobility and as a higher ed destination).
    We will identify actionable insights and will share proprietary data and research to spark and inform a highly interactive discussion.
    Panelists:
    Vern Granger, University of Connecticut
    Shilpa Gupta, UWC ISAK Japan
    Clay Hensley, International Education Consultant
    Murphy Miller, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
    Rohan Pasari, Cialfo
  • Education Session 4 | Thursday, July 13 9:00-10:00 AM
    Location: GC 150 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual, Post-Secondary (College & University) | Experience Level: All
     
    Come engage with us in small group discussion format to crack complex admissions issues based on real life case studies of HALI students from Africa. We will work in mixed admissions-counselors groups to break down and discuss cases and report back. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and contribute your ideas for how together we can increase access and inclusion for low-income international students!
    Panelists:
    Abraham Barry, Meto
    Cleo Ingabire, Gashora Girls Academy of Science & Technology
    Laura Kaub, Duolingo English Test
    Norris Kayitare, Bridge2Rwanda
    Misco Mungai, HALI Access Network
    Rebecca Zeigler Mano, Education Matters
     
     
    Location: GC 118 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual, Post-Secondary (College & University) | Experience Level: All

    Africa Rising, Aspiring Africa, Betting on Africa… beyond the headlines, how does one navigate a continent of 1.2 billion people of which 60% are below the age of 25 years? Whether you are a seasoned admissions officer, student recruiter, or are brand new in the industry, this interactive session will aim to provide you strategies to make the most of any student recruitment trip to the continent. Join Canadian university representatives as they share their best practices, travel tips, challenges, and opportunities to build your institutions' brand in Africa. In addition, we also will share our successes and disappointments, plus our favorite dishes/snacks/drinks (and where to get them!) from our travels on the continent.
    Panelists:
    Rasha Abu Ramadan, Western University
    Alex Gachanja, The University of Winnipeg
    Zaa Nkweta, Emily Carr University of Art + Design
     
    Location: SIPA 125 | Audience: Post-Secondary (College & University), Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO) | Experience Level: Intermediate, Experienced
    International student mobility patterns are shifting from the Global North to the Global South.
    In a post-SAT world — as a more diverse cohort of students apply to more types of universities from more types of school environments, submitting a variety of local academic records — it is essential for globally-minded higher ed institutions to meet these aspiring students where they are. Recognizing and respecting local credentials is becoming an intercultural competency for world-class universities.
    This case study will examine research from a collective of bellwether universities that are engaged in a collaborative effort to develop equivalency/ credit & placement policies recognizing India's CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) academic credentials.
    A panel of experts will share & discuss their respective approaches, methodologies, findings, and results. We will seek to apply these outcomes to other local/ regional credentials to support a more nuanced review by higher ed admissions teams, putting the academic records of international students in context.
    Panelists:
    Beau Benson, Northeastern University
    Clay Hensley, International Education Consultant
    Swaraj Nandan, KIC UnivAssist
    Vicki Seefeldt West, Ohio University
    Michelle Whittingham, University of California, Santa Cruz
     
    Location: GC 243 | Audience: Post-Secondary (College & University) | Experience Level: All
    At a time of historic global displacement, higher education institutions are seeking ways to enroll refugee displaced students in a sustainable model, not as continuous emergency response. This session will explore at least three different approaches and opportunities for colleges and universities to enroll refugee and displaced students including how to leverage funds to create scholarships, coordinating with other institutions as part of the Global Student Haven Initiative, and the newly launched college and university sponsorship program for refugee students. Come learn how you can adopt these models and effective practice on your campus.
    Panelists:
    Emma Daszkiewicz, Trinity College
    Miriam Feldblum, Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education in Immigration
    Joel Hart, Pomona College
    Peter Smith, University of California, Berkeley
     
     
    Location: GC 140 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual, Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO) | Experience Level: All

    “Intellectual curiosity” has become a popular buzzword in the college admissions world. What does it actually mean, why is it valued, and how can it be conveyed in an application? Are there some activities or pursuits that better demonstrate this trait than others, and how can we include exploration of intellectual curiosity in a college counseling curriculum? Join us for a conversation about supporting students in leveraging their intellectual fit in the admissions process.
    Panelists:
    Mary de Villiers, University of Notre Dame
    Nathan Mack, University of Southern California
    Niki McInteer, Wake Forest University
    Brett Fuller, Pioneer Academics
    Michelle Trimpe, University of Chicago
     
    Location: DM 100 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual, Post-Secondary (College & University) | Experience Level: All
    Counseling for fit and purpose is a goal all counselors aspire to achieve. Yet many times, students and families may narrow their university list to ones that are commonly recognized, irrespective of fit. This session will focus on institutions in four different countries - Canada, Italy, Qatar and Switzerland - that serve as a great case study of the “hidden gem” university option that could be the perfect fit. Counselors, join our session to learn how to illustrate and identify the markers of fit that matter most to stakeholders. University colleagues, join the conversation as we share practical ideas on how to “get your foot in the door” with future students and counselors who might have never heard of your institution before.
    Panelists:
    Moustafa Ezz, Huron at Western University
    Aaron Jones , American School of Doha
    Fernanda Mayer Silva, The American University of Rome
    Petra Orent, Franklin University Switzerland
     
    Location: GC 355 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual | Experience Level: Beginner, Intermediate
    In this session, we will take a deep dive into how applications are actually read and processed at different institutions. This session will focus mostly on the mechanics and structure of the admissions reading process, and we will hear from experienced international admissions officers on how the process has changed and continues to evolve. Will A.I. play a part (or does it already)? Panelists represent both public and private institutions.
    Panelists:
    Jennifer Hirsch, Claremont McKenna College
    Katie Korhonen, New York University
    Liam McCartney, Boston University
    Sheri Neal, Shanghai American School
    Seray Teleke, University of California, Los Angeles
     
    Location: GL 100B | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
    Career-focused international applicants tend to overlook liberal arts colleges - even those with superior outcomes in employment and professional school admission to similarly selective national universities. LACs reject fewer qualified applicants than larger reputational peers while often offering more equitable need-based aid policies. Representatives from both sides of the desk break down practical pitches to increase interest in LACs.
    Panelists:
    Markus Burns, Williams College
    Noah Dvorak, Kaohsiung American School
    Bruce Hammond, Tsinglan School
    Grace Robertson-Lloyd, Grinnell College
    Anna-Theresa Wise, Hamilton College
     
    Location: TAM 121 | Audience: All | Experience Level: Intermediate
    Sometimes efforts to support international students actually have the opposite effect, with the unintended consequence of othering them. How can we recognize and support the needs of international students while not othering them, and how can we tell the difference? Why does this need to be a campus-wide effort and what is the key role of international admissions and recruitment? We will address this topic from admissions, counseling, and recruiting perspectives.
    Panelists:
    Joan Liu, Second Chance
    Megan Mankerian-Stem, Gen Next Education, Inc.
    Marie Whalen, Whitworth University
    Sam Wong, Hong Kong Baptist University
     
    Location: PVH 100 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All

    IECs are here to stay. Some are good. Some are not so good. Some create access. Others build on elite status. What makes a good IEC? What benchmarks could International ACAC set from an organizational standpoint to let members better understand how many reputable IECs are out there, where, and what exactly they do? This panel seeks suggestions that could lead to an internal accreditation status for IECs seeking an additional layer of legitimacy within our global community in a new, ethical, rigorous, and inclusive way.
    Panelists:
    Cindy Fowler, Mercersburg Academy
    Neeraj Mandhana, The Next Genius Foundation
    Amy Markham, Mount Holyoke College
    Ray Marx, Colegio Americano de Quito
    Caitlin Worsham, CPC Global Education
     
    Location: SASC 352 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual, Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO) | Experience Level: All
    The Netherlands has become, and remains an exceptionally popular destination for students interested in high-quality English-taught programs in a unique setting. International students are highly valued for their contributions to the classroom, and developing their talent is integral to the mission of higher education institutions. This session will give an update on international recruitment in the Netherlands with an in-depth overview that includes insight into the public system of education, the current challenges that institutions and students face due to its popularity, critical elements of fit/matching, government updates and a look to the future where international students continue to be welcome in the Netherlands.
    Panelists:
    Dennis Baas, Eindhoven University of Technology
    Carolyn Barr, Leiden University
    Sally Gascoigne, Hotelschool The Hague
    Tanya Mudde-Malik, Rotterdam Business School
    Denise Nijhuis, University College Roosevelt
     
  • Education Session 5 | Thursday, July 14 1:45-2:45 PM
     
    Location: GC 118 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All

    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!
    Target Audience
    Secondary (High School) & Individual
    Post-Secondary (College & University)
    Organization (For-Profit, Non-Profit, CBO)
    Panelists:
    Jim Faherty, Green School Bali
    Amy Kice, American School of Madrid
    Jeffrey Neill, Graded - The American School of Sao Paulo
    Rohan Pasari, Cialfo
    Johnny Yang, Apt Learning
     
    Location: SASC 352 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
     
    "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.
    Panelists:
    Jennifer Cheong, Crofton House School
    San Lee, University of California, Davis
    Sam Wong, Hong Kong Baptist University
     
    Location: GC 140 | Audience: All | Experience Level: Intermediate, Experienced
    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.
    Panelists:
    Anne Corriveau, Boston University
    Johanna Fishbein, The American School in Switzerland
    Elizabeth Mohr , TASIS, The American School in England
    Beth Shotton, University of St Andrews
     
    Location: GL 100B | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual, Post-Secondary (College & University) | Experience Level: All
     
    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.
    Panelists:
    Lucy Lee Allen, Shrewsbury International School Bangkok Riverside
    Agnes Horvath, Milestone Oktatási Egyesület
    Manju Sharma, B D Somani International School
    Kim Zwisterloot, University College Utrecht
     
    Location: DM 100 | Audience: Post-Secondary (College & University) | Experience Level: All
    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.
    Panelists:
    Daphna Berger, Utrecht University
    iLaria Bossi, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
    Heidi Buffington, Saint Louis University - Madrid Campus
    Lars Molenaar, Goin' Connect
     
    Location: GC 355 | Audience: Secondary (High School) & Individual | Experience Level: All
    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.
    Panelists:
    Marissa Gambardella, Concourse Global Enrollment, Inc.
    Rosa Moreno-Zutautus, International Schools Partnership Limited
    Erin Slocum, Tanglin Trust School
    Anna Wright, Benjamin School
     
     
    Location: GC 150 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
     
    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.
    Panelists:
    Michelle Chow-Liu, Western Academy of Beijing
    Carolyn Ford, Western University
    Erin Garcia, International ACAC
    Jody Glassman, Florida International University
    Lisa Hollett, International ACAC
    Daniel Marschner, Loyola Marymount University
    Pablo Torres, University of New Mexico
    Dalia Wardany, Foothill and De Anza Colleges
    Location: TAM 121 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
     
    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?
    Panelists:
    Rebecca Kelley, Concourse Global Enrollment, Inc.
    Chris Lawrance, The University of Sydney
    Freddy Mason, Nagoya University of Commerce & Business
    Fernanda Mayer Silva, The American University of Rome
    Petra Orent, Franklin University Switzerland
     
    Location: GC 243 | Audience: Post-Secondary (College & University) | Experience Level: Beginner, Intermediate

    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!
    Panelists:
    Claudia Botero, JCT4Education
    Emerson Buczolits, OCAD University
    Lesly Garcia, Marist College
     
    Location: PVH 100 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
    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.
    Panelists:
    Elysa Bryen, Syrian Youth Empowerment
    Christina Callahan, Northwestern University
    Greg Manne, Rise
    Misco Mungai, HALI Access Network
    Location: SIPA 125 | Audience: All | Experience Level: All
    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.
    Panelists:
    Ruby Bhattacharya, Barnard College
    Isthier Chaudhury, Swarthmore College
    Vern Granger, University of Connecticut
    Ffiona Rees, University of California, Los Angeles
We are thrilled to announce the return of Conference Chats, an initiative that started in 2018 at the conference held at Tulane University.
 
At the Wednesday and Thursday lunch hour, come listen to your colleagues give their “TED-Style” talk. Each lunch block will include three to four, 11-minute presentations on a wide range of topics.
 
Experience the energy and excitement of a Conference Chat, hearing how these individuals are making profound impacts in our profession. Expect an entirely different approach from the standard Conference education sessions. These Chats will be personal, concise, and take you on a journey. We promise you will laugh, cry, and gain entirely new perspectives on issues and ideas.
 
Wednesday & Thursday Lunch Sessions at 12:00 pm 
 
Location: All Conference Chats will be delivered on stage in the Graham Center Ballrooms. Lunch will be provided in the Graham Center Ballrooms Lobby.
  • Conference Chats | Wednesday, July 12 12:15-1:30 PM
    Cultural, Religious, or Both? Worldview Diversity in International College & Career Counseling
    Presenter: Renee Bowling, Graduate Student - The Ohio State University
    Renee will share her story exploring religious, secular, and spiritual worldview diversity on both sides of the desk. Attendees will be invited to consider students' communities of belonging, the role of spirituality in our work, and the importance of equity and inclusion in this area. Renee will brief the community on her original research of worldview diversity at global liberal arts campuses and at U.S. universities and share a tool for students and families.
     
    The Power of the ACAC Access Network
    Presenter: Greg Manne, Rise
    Greg has served on the International ACAC Inclusion, Access, and Success Committee for the last four years and is amazed by the people he has met because of it. At Rise, he is working with an extensive list of access oriented professionals, most all of whom he met through ACAC Conferences or through his work on the committee. This Chat will highlight Rise partnerships with Kensap, Bridge2Rwanda, Amala, Bilim Education, Jakarta Intercultural School, and others that were forged through connections made at ACAC Conferences.
     
    I'm Ready, Maestro! Approaching Presentations Through an Opera Singer's Lens
    Presenter: Rebecca Hansen, The College of Wooster
    All the world is a stage! As education professionals we have so many opportunities to speak and present - whether it's in front of students, university administrators, or our peers at International ACAC. With so much pressure to make an impression, finding the best approach is crucial. In this chat, we explore how classically trained singers approach the stage, learning from their poise and unforgettable presence to inform our own presentation style.
     
  • Conference Chats | Thursday, July 13 12:30-1:45 PM
    We're All Wrong
    Presenter: Joe Serdar, Loyola University Chicago
    Admitting we can be wrong is incredibly hard; biologically, intellectually, socially. It is also one of the most important skills we can develop as a person. The concept of Intellectual Humility, work from journalist/wrongness expert Kathryn Schulz, and the Loss of Confidence Project examine this problem - why is it so hard, and how tackling it can improve decision making, tolerance for difference and more.
    Whose Culture Has Capital? Building a Healthy & Sustainable International Education Ecosystem
    Presenter: Yanjie (Ruby) Cheng, Brown University
    The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically transformed the landscape of international education, presenting new challenges and opportunities for student success. As institutions adapt to the "new normal," it is crucial to recognize the importance of international identity and intersectionality in preparing students for future endeavors. This session aims to explore the significance of these concepts and highlight the essential components needed to support students' holistic development and overall success in the post-COVID-19 era.
     
    Work Hard, Play Hard: Living Your Best Life During Work Travel
    Presenter: Ashley Swengler, University of California - Riverside
    If the last three plus years have taught us anything, it is that we need to live life with no regrets. In this Conference Chat, participants will be encouraged to not only plan for wherever work takes them, but truly plan and enjoy some well deserved adventure on the road. Whether it is a full day excursion before your red-eye out of town, or a brief, serendipitous moment in between engagements - we all should feel empowered to find ways to get the most out of our trips both professionally, and personally. Take a moment together to bring this topic out into the open, and make it acceptable and accessible to mix in a bit of fun with work travel. Let's make some #FamilyStyle memories in this conference and wherever travel takes us next!
Join in on an Affinity Group or Chatter That Matters networking opportunity! Facilitated conversations will encourage shared ideas, thoughts and resources on member-submitted topics and shared interests.
 
  • Chatter That Matters | Wednesday, July 12 10:15-11:00 AM

    Topic

    Location

    Enhancing Engagement Between Universities & Counselors

    GC 118

    How Do Predicted Grade Models Work at Different Schools?

    GC 150

    International ACAC Affinity Group: LGBTQ+

    GC 140

    International ACAC Affinity Group: Mental Health & Well-Being

    GC 355

    International ACAC Affinity Group: Women of Color

    SIPA 125

    International Testing: Ideas & Issues

    DM 100

    Managing Parental Expectations & the Realities of University Acceptance

    PVH 100 

    She-Powers in College Counseling: Empowering Female Counselors &
    Discussing Their Unique Perspectives & Career Growth

    GC 243

    Strategies to Maximize Financial Aid for International Students

    TAM 121

    Tips for Balancing Work & Leisure During Travel

    GL 100B

    Who Wins with the Rise of edTech in Recruitment?

    SASC 352