Message from the NJACAC President
Haaaay NJACAC!
We are halfway through November–hopefully things are starting to settle down (a bit). I wanted to update you on some important developments and changes within our association.
NJACAC24 Conference:
Save the date for the NJACAC24 Conference on May 20-21, 2024 at Harrahs in Atlantic City. The call for proposals will be sent out soon—keep an eye out for updates. Feel free to reach out to Ryan DePuy, our President-Elect at presidentelect@njacac.org if you have any questions or are interested in serving on the conference committee.
2024-25 Budget:
The Fiscal Oversight Committee (FOC) is actively working on finalizing the budget for 2024-25. We are hoping to expand our sponsorship model and pursue some additional sources of income. Providing our membership with top notch professional development opportunities continues to be our goal and we are looking for ways to expand access while being budget conscious. The Executive Committee will be meeting in December to approve the budget.
DEI Ad-Hoc Committee:
Chaired by our Past-President, Dr. Sarah Smith, an Ad-Hoc committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has been reviewing our policies and practices to identify ways we can make NJACAC more inclusive. Your input is incredibly valuable. Please take a moment to COMPLETE THIS SURVEY to help advance the work of our association. Thank you, Sarah, for leading this initiative!
NeonOne:
Addressing concerns about NeonOne, we are working to ensure that all registered users on Neon are activating their accounts. Please visit our member login portal to update your contact information, add sub members (if you have purchased an institutional membership), complete your NJACAC profile, and access your historical transactions. For those who have purchased an institutional membership, please click here to see a step by step guide to set up your submember accounts.
FAFSA Updates:
Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual workshops reviewing the upcoming changes to FAFSA. We know there are still lots of unanswered questions, but as information becomes available, we will be sure to update you. CLICK HERE to see the latest updates from the Department of Education.
ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Shout out to RICH FRECCIA who organized our Annual Fall Workshop at Princeton University. Thank you to all the panelists and members who attended this excellent event.
Thank you to our Secondary School Representatives (SASHA RASHID, NIC CANO, NANCY ORTIZ, and ASHLEY WHITTEMORE) who have been presenting at a variety of our County Counselor Associations to get the word out about all the great things NJACAC has to offer. Please feel free to reach out to any of them if you would like for someone to speak to your local association.
ANA ESTEVEZ and LAI ARA POWELL, our Inclusion, Access, and Success (IAS) Co-Chairs, have been doing a wonderful job in their role and continue to serve as advocates to ensure we are reaching and addressing the needs of all student populations. In the coming months you will be receiving information on how to volunteer at College Key and Camp College, as well as registration information for students. Please email ias@njacac.org to get in touch with them.
I want to express my sincere gratitude for the privilege of serving as President of NJACAC. It is an honor to work alongside such dedicated and passionate individuals who contribute to the success and growth of our field. As we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead, let us remain united in our commitment to supporting students in their educational journeys. Your enthusiasm, expertise, and collaborative spirit inspire hope for a brighter future in college admission counseling. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of students and contribute to the success of our association. Thank you for your unwavering support, and I look forward to the continued journey with all of you.
Please feel free to contact me directly with any comments, questions, or concerns.
Respectfully,
Randy Stamm
School Counselor, Hackensack High School
NJACAC President (23-24)