Welcome to the NYSACAC Newsletter! Please feel free to send any feedback or suggestions to [email protected]. We hope you enjoy the Newsletter!

                                                                                              - NYSACAC Newsletter Committee

I would like to thank the many volunteers over the last year. Your dedication is greatly appreciated. The Executive Board, Committee Chairs, committee members, and other volunteers throughout the state worked hard to reflect NYSACAC’s vision to be, “at the forefront of creating leadership and professional development opportunities in college admission counseling.”

Keep an eye out for a few other programs occurring over the summer!

Camp College

SUNY Geneseo will once again host our overnight program this July, marking the second year of a generous three-year sponsorship. We are grateful for their continued partnership and support in making this experience possible.

In addition, we’re excited to share that SUNY System has provided funding for bus transportation for the 2025 program, helping campers traveling from the NYC area. Many thanks to SUNY for their ongoing generosity and commitment to expanding access to this opportunity.

Summer Institute

This summer we will be hosting our event on the beautiful campus of Marist University.  Plans are well under way for this event to take place during the first week of August. We thank Marist University for their hospitality and look forward to another exciting program to help new professionals in our field.

As I conclude my term, I was to thank our Immediate Past President, Heidi Green, for her leadership over the last three years.  She is a true professional.  Congrats to Lauren Sangimino and Haniya Mee as the organizations new President and President-Elect.  Lastly, special thanks to our Executive Director, Kathleen McArthur, for all her help over the last year.

Dave Follick, NYSACAC President

The NYSACAC Coming Together and Annual Conference came in like a fastball from a pitcher right out of the bullpen, and left like a home run soaring out of the park. It is hard to believe that a whole year of planning goes by in the blink of an eye. Thankfully, the memories last forever.

Conference stats:

○ 280 people attended an amazing Coming Together Conference.

○ Over 550 registered for the Coming Together and Annual Conference.  

○ 125 first timers attended. 

○ Over 220 High School Counselors from public and private schools, independent counselors, and Community Based Organizations.

○ 271 attendees from colleges and universities.

○ 2 retired professionals 

○ 7 Hartwick alumni.

○ 34 CTC sessions and 73 Annual Conference sessions 

○ 2 keynote speakers: Coming Together keynote speaker Tim Fields, author of the The Black Families Guide to College Admissions: A Conversation about Education, Parenting, and Race and Annual Conference keynote speaker and Hartwick alumnus Mike McIntire, investigative reporter for the New York Times.

There was a request for the slides from the closing mega session on the changing NYS graduation requirements. They can be found here.  

Thank you to the community at Hartwick College, especially, Vice President for Enrollment and Athletics and conference host site coordinator, Bryan Gross. The staff and army of volunteers at Hartwick set a warm and welcoming atmosphere that will be remembered. They made running a conference look easy!

Thank you to the hardworking Steering Committee for their time and dedication: 

Emmanuel Moses, Lauren Quigley, Danny Robinson, Tyler Anderson, Darnell Douglas, Colette Montgomery, Maria Jose Lascarro, Kate Gildard, Hannah Kingsley, Bryan Rothstein, Heidi Green, Dave Follick, Makenna Youngs, Anna Ragno, Karen Brown, John Young, Meghan DeMayo-Dalen, Steve Ostendorff, Courtney Stern, Amanda Brady, Stacy Ledermann, Jane Mathias, Andrea Nadler, Sarah Ireland, Michael Acquilano, Jordyn Iorizzo, Alex El Helou, Annie Stull, Erica Doherty, Haniya Mee, Lisa Searle, Brenna May, Christina LoFaso, Melissa Bellantonio, Nicole Radassao, Caitlin Domagal, Anthony Rinaldi, Lauren Sangimino, Kathleen McArthur, Bryan Gross, Jacqueline Gregory, Nick George, Stephanie Havens, Mallory Storms, Mark Carr, and Allison Holmberg.

Thank you Grant donors for providing 27 conference attendees with grants: 

Lauren Sangimino, NYSACAC President-Elect

And that's a wrap! Another exciting and productive year for NYSACAC has come to a close, and there were several accomplishments to note from the Immediate Past President's Office. A number of important tasks were completed that should put the association in a strong position moving forward.

2. The Policies & Procedures Manual, which serves as a roadmap to the organization’s overall function and operation, required a significant overhaul to bring it up to date. It was important to align it with the Bylaws, add missing sections, remove outdated ones, and ensure consistency throughout the document. After receiving input from Executive Board members and all committee chairs, the revised manual now reflects the current practices of the association and was approved by the Executive Board in May. The updated Policies & Procedures Manual is available on the NYSACAC website.

3. A successful election took place this spring, with the membership electing the following individuals: Haniya Mee (President-Elect), Brenna May (Vice President for Communications), Bryan Rothstein (Secretary), Ashley Hettinger (Region 1 College Rep), Morgan Theze (Region 2 Secondary Rep), and Alex El Helou (Region 2 College Rep). Thank you to all candidates who were willing to run for an open position.

4. The Awards Ceremony provides an opportunity to identify and recognize some of our most outstanding members. The Nominating Committee reviewed many nominations across six award categories and selected the following recipients, who were recognized during the opening session of the Annual Conference:

• Rising Star – Madison Morgan

• Inclusion, Access & Success Award – Costas Solomou

• Distinguished Service (College) – Lisa Searle

• Distinguished Service (High School) – Sheryl Kavanagh

• Distinguished Service (CBO) – Maria Jose Lascarro

• President's Award – Marie Nocella

I'm grateful for the opportunity to have served in the Presidential cycle over the past three years. It has been an incredibly rewarding professional experience, and I look forward to seeing the association continue to grow and thrive in the years ahead.

A heartfelt thank-you to all the Executive Board leaders and director, committee chairs, and committee members. Your dedication and tireless work are what keep the association moving forward, and your efforts are essential to upholding NYSACAC’s mission as a leader in providing professional development and leadership opportunities in college admission counseling. Most importantly, your support, friendship, and camaraderie make this work truly meaningful and rewarding.

Keep up the great work!

Heidi Green, Immediate Past President

Join Us at the2025 NYSACAC Summer Institute – August 5–7 at Marist University!

There’s still time to register for the 2025 NYSACAC Summer Institute—a dynamic, three-day, mentor-based experience designed for emerging professionals in college admissions and counseling. This year’s Institute will take place at Marist University from Tuesday, August 5 at 1:00 p.m. through Thursday, August 7 at 4:00 p.m.

The Summer Institute is ideal for:

• College admissions professionals with up to three years of experience

• High school and CBO counselors/advisors with up to five years of experience

Participants will engage in a vibrant curriculum focused on:

• Professional development

• Networking opportunities

• Admissions case studies

You’ll learn best practices, exchange ideas, explore creative solutions to common challenges, and deepen your understanding of ethical standards in the field. The Institute’s unique blend of experienced mentors and diverse participants ensures a rewarding and energizing experience.

Cost: Just $625, which includes:

• An air-conditioned single room in a Marist University residence hall

• Most meals (one dinner is on your own)

• All program materials

Registration is open now and closes on July 30!

A limited number of professional grants are available to help cover the cost—visit the Summer Institute website for details and to apply.

Have questions? Reach out to us at [email protected].

Stacy Ledermann & Haniya Mee

Summer Institute Co-Chairs

Colleges! High Schools! IECs!

SAVE THE DATE!

NACAC Performing and Visual Arts College Fair

Sunday, October 26, 2025

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm 

Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, NY

College fairs are win-win experiences, introducing students to high-level college information and institutions to potential students! 

With more and more students hungry to continue the joys they’ve experienced in the arts in high school, and with more and more colleges and universities offering arts-related majors and programs, Performing and Visual Arts Fairs (PVAs) provide perfect connections between students and institutions that offer majors, minors, tracks, concentrations, career training, and student-run experiences in all conceivable areas of music, theater, art, and dance, and their adjacent and related disciplines and career paths.

Prior to COVID/lockdown, NACAC had hosted Performing and Visual Arts Fairs around the country. During quarantine, NACAC continued to host robust performing and visual arts information via virtual fairs. And now, “we’re baaaack!” with PVA Fairs planned in some of the greatest cities in the world, including in NYSACAC’s Big Apple! 

We are delighted to be the co-chairs of NACAC's Performing Arts Special Interest Group (SIG), as well as co-chairing NACAC’s Fall 2025 New York City Performing and Visual Arts Fair at the Javits Center. This standalone, specially-focused fair is a wonderful opportunity for colleges to showcase their arts programs, and for arts students to learn about schools that could be their perfect fit. 

At last year's New York City PVA Fair, the first one post-COVID, we were fortunate to have a small but mighty committee of college admissions professionals volunteer to help the Fair run smoothly. Thanks to NYSACAC Past President David Follick's guidance and support as we plan this next event, we're anticipating that everything about the 2025 Fair will be bigger, better, and brighter! 

We'd love to have a few more volunteers to help us help the exhibitors and student attendees this October, so please let us know if you're interested in joining the volunteer committee. The time 

commitment is pretty minimal, but the rewards are huge! We hope you’ll spread the word, share this announcement with your fine and performing arts faculty, encourage your arts students to attend, and join us at the fair.

College representatives: please consider exhibiting at any or all of these Fairs, and share this information with your Performing Arts and Visual Arts Chairs, Program Directors, and Faculty. You can use this link for information for exhibitors and attendees.

High school counselors and IECs: please announce the PVA Fair to your school and district Administrators, Performing Arts administrators, teachers, students, families, and communities. We hope you’ll add the event to your district calendar and get the word out to as many students as possible when the NACAC registration information is announced.  

Questions? Interested in volunteering?  Please contact us.

Amy Goldin, [email protected]

Barbara Rapaport, [email protected]

New York PVA College Fair Co-Chairs

This year's theme for NYSACAC’s Spring Professional Development Forums was: “Admissions Intelligence: AI’s Role in Shaping College Admissions.” Through four forum events, we explored how artificial intelligence is transforming both college admissions and school counseling. Each session commenced with a keynote presentation, followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A. Although the topic was the same across locations, as you can imagine, discussion varied immensely. Many of the attendees walked out with practical, useful tips and tricks for how to use AI in their everyday work.

1. Virtual - Hosted by Russell Sage College

Keynote Speaker Dr. Haesol Bae, SUNY Albany

Panelists: Katie Cooney Lesko (Russell Sage), Dr. Janessa Dunn (Skidmore), Tyler Anderson (Bethlehem HS)

2. Stony Brook University 

Keynote Speaker: Vinay Bhaskara, CollegeVine

Panelists: Richard Beatty (Stony Brook), Dr. Stephen Ostendorff (Molloy), Chris Loo (Stony Brook School)

3. Syracuse University

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jasmina Tacheva, Syracuse University

Panelists: Dr. John McLaughlin (Hamilton), Dr. Colette Montgomery (Le Moyne), Heidi Green (Fayetteville‑Manlius HS)

4. St. Joseph’s University, Brooklyn

Keynote Speaker: Emily Smith, CollegeVine

Panelists: Christine Murphy (St. Joseph’s), Dr. Stephen Ostendorff (Molloy), Jasmine Solomon (NYU)

Key themes included:

Current AI Adoption: Panelists discussed whether and how their institutions are currently using AI. This included practical examples such as application processing, predictive modeling, and student engagement tools. Some institutions are actively integrating AI, while others are cautiously exploring its potential.

Future Possibilities: There was enthusiasm around AI’s ability to streamline admissions processes, enhance communication, and address inefficiencies. Panelists highlighted the promise of AI in helping to solve long-standing issues like enrollment forecasting, yield management, and access to information.

Concerns from Stakeholders: Both high school counselors and college professionals raised concerns. On the high school side, families and students are wary of fairness, transparency, and bias in AI-driven decisions. On the university side, faculty and leadership are grappling with ethical use, data security, and institutional readiness.

Policy and Ethics: A significant part of the discussion focused on whether institutions have clear guidelines on AI usage in admissions. Some panelists shared emerging policies or frameworks, while others emphasized the need for intentional conversations about student privacy, consent, and algorithmic fairness.

College Access and Equity: A recurring concern was ensuring AI tools do not worsen existing disparities in college access. Speakers underscored the importance of using AI to promote equity, not undermine it, and called for careful consideration of who benefits from these technologies.

Overall Insights

Participants left with strong takeaways: AI is reshaping admissions through predictive analytics, chatbots, and personalized outreach—but must be used judiciously, respecting ethics, accessibility, and community trust. Connecting admissions officers, counselors, and higher‑ed leaders in dialogue fostered mutual understanding and laid groundwork for future collaboration.

All four events successfully highlighted why “Admissions Intelligence” matters—and how professionals across the education pipeline can partner to harness technology thoughtfully.

Anna Ragno & Caitlin Domagal

Professional Development Co-Chairs 

College Fair Committee:

We are excited to announce that we have created a NYSACAC College Fair Registry! We hope that by providing a running list of college fairs for the Spring 2025 recruitment season and future cycles, we can increase access to important information for all members as we plan our calendars. Please submit information regarding your upcoming college fairs and events to be added to the registry!

We are looking for host sites for our Fall 2025 College Fairs. If your institution is interested and available in hosting a college fair, please email [email protected]!

Newsletter: 

As we approach a new cycle, I want to give a huge shoutout to my fellow co-chair, Brian Gleitsmann. Over the years, Brian has been an integral part of the newsletter committee, consistently working to ensure we deliver a high-quality publication. As he rolls off his newsletter duties, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for all his dedication and contributions. Thank you, Brian!

Professional Development: 

Student Leadership in Admissions Conference – Registration Coming Soon!

Calling all admissions colleagues, student admissions ambassadors, and tour guides!

Please save the date for our upcoming in-person event:

Student Leadership in Admissions Conference: “Why We Lead”

Saturday, September 6 | 10 AM – 3 PM

SUNY Albany

Call for Conference Proposals

We encourage interested professional and student staff to submit workshop proposals. Please complete your proposal by 7/21. We are seeking a wide range of session topics including (but not limited to):

• Student ambassador recruitment & amp; training
• Social media tips & tricks
• Tour guide/ambassador leadership development
• Student employee/volunteer retention initiatives
• Professional development for those who supervise student employees

Summer Institute:

Want your content featured in our next newsletter? Send your updates and content to us at [email protected]

Contact Info:

New York State Association for College Admission Counseling

P.O. Box 28

Red Hook, NY 12571

[email protected]