July 20, 2022
IACAC Conference Returns: Many Topics Discussed, Including Lack of Student Support and Understaffing
A After over three years of delays, the International Association for College Admissions Counsellors conference was held last week with more than 1,400 participants representing over 80 countries at the University of New Mexico.
Incoming president Kristoffer Toribio made history for the organisation by being the first representative of a community college (Orange Coast) and the first Asian Pacific Islander from Hawaii. Speaking at the conference, Toribio said, "I look forward to the challenges and the opportunity of leading our association to its next chapter and [levelling] up." Toribio announced.
The conference sessions covered finances, ethics, data, and social media, with "The Great Resignation" and the staffing woes felt by countless organisations across the sector woven throughout the gathering, both formally and informally.
…through a sea of changes, this IACAC offered a window to see new faces, new ideas, new ways of doing old things, and new ways of approaching fresh ideas…
The conference's keynote speaker, Hakim Bellamy, the first Poet Laureate of New Mexico, wrote a poem for the occasion titled An Incomplete and Unauthorised List of Things Your College Admissions Counsellor Wants You to Know.
In his speech, Bellamy acknowledged that not every student has a network of unwavering support. "Equally, we acknowledge that replacing anyone's family is neither within the scope of our authority nor our job description." However, if you'll have us as your plus one, we'd be more than happy to expand it.
One of the sessions featured a panel discussion moderated by Kristen Pantazes, Eric Ahlstrand, Wilson Lee, Kirk Wayne Mitchell, and James Bishop on "the challenges and opportunities this global exogenous shock has provided our field, particularly in relation to office cultures, work environments, and employment trends." In it, the topic of understaffing came up. On the topic of jobs, some delegates discussed the "side hustle" work they do outside of their 9-5 to supplement their income. Others suggested enlisting recent retirees to help with admissions and recruitment projects in order to relieve the burden on dwindling staff.
Song Hoffman, director of International Admissions at the University of Delaware, shared her thoughts on the conference balance with the media after the conference, saying, "Through a sea of changes, this IACAC offered a window to see new faces, new ideas, new ways of doing old things, and new ways of approaching fresh ideas." She also valued the variety of viewpoints presented throughout the conference.
Posted in News and tagged News, University of New Mexico, IACAC Conference, International Association for College Admissions Counsellors Conference, Student Support, University of Delaware
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