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

Specifically, this year, I want to thank all of the volunteers who have given their time to make NYSACAC a dynamic organization that is at the forefront of programming and technology for our members and the students they serve. From committee members to co chairs, representatives and our VP’s and leadership, they have all played an integral role in shaping the success of the organization. We are incredibly thankful to our members for engaging with the association and contributing valuable input on the needs of the profession and the students we serve.

As with any organization, there have been successes and challenges this year. Here are some of the highlights:

Finance

A lot of changes and opportunities have been made on the finance side, thanks to Rob Oliva, VP for Finance. We opened a money market account in addition to the investment and checking accounts. The money market can earn interest during the months the association is making income. That money cannot be tied up in the investment account because the bulk of it will need to be used to reconcile the conference with the host site. It has earned the association a few thousand dollars without having to disrupt the endowment. This provides flexibility as uncertain expenses arise and keeps the endowment growing should any major catastrophes happen.  

We are trying to expand and centralize sponsorship by having it go through the Vice President for Finance. This includes sponsorship related to the conference, as well as programs and grants. This ensures that the association is not tapping into the same sponsors and will assess where other outreach can be done.

The College Fair Committee along with Past President Dave Follick, has established a new college fair at Molloy University in conjunction with the HOLLER group. This new fair comes at an important time as we continue to close financial gaps.  

A VP Finance elect will be elected next year and Rob Oliva will remain as VP for Finance until 2028.

We continue to find creative ways to grow income and fill gaps while passing a balanced budget. This remains integral in ensuring the fiscal health of the association.  

NACAC Agreement Signed
Our three year agreement with NACAC was up this year.  It was signed and submitted in March.  The agreement will be good for another three years.

New CRM  
While an Ad Hoc Committee was put in place last year to look into other CRMs the committee recommended keeping our current CRM as some modifications had been made. We have since found a new CRM that will be able to provide service that Memberclicks was not able to. Our Technology team was able to explore the CRM and experiment with it while also making sure it checked all of  the boxes. It comes at a good time when our contract with Memberclicks is ending. Brenna May, Kathleen McArthur, Christina Lofaso, and Kate Gildard will start implementing over the summer.   

Ad Hoc for In Person Events
A new Ad Hoc Committee was established in May as a result of attendance numbers at in person events this year in upstate New York.  The committee is composed of representatives from region 3-6 as well as the VP for PD, and co chairs of PD committees.  They will determine time of year, time of day, location, and any other findings over May and June so that this information can be reported on at retreat and this information can be used for next year’s planning.  Thanks to Brenna May for leading the Ad Hoc and all of its members.

Master Comms Calendar

Our VP for Communications, Brenna May, created a new master communications calendar that was presented at retreat. This helps committees see when other communications are going out and they can schedule an ideal time in advance for their committees emails, social media posts, etc. This has helped unify our communications.

New Summer Institute Location

After many years of Summer Institute being hosted at Skidmore College, the program moved to Marist University. The program was modified to a 4 day schedule to help reduce expenses and lower the registration cost. Stacy Ledermann and Haniya Mee did a great job maintaining the integrity of the program at a new location.

Conference Host Sites

A 2027 conference host site is secured as well as a 2028 conference host site for our 50th conference anniversary. Other hosts have expressed interest but nothing has been signed for sites after 2028. Anyone interested in hosting a conference is welcome to reach out to [email protected].

Camp College

We are in our third year of having Camp College at SUNY Geneseo in 2026. SUNY will be sponsoring a bus again this year and SUNY Geneseo will be contributing to an additional bus due to the 147 applicants that were received for the program. We thank SUNY Geneseo for hosting again this year and SUNY’s collaboration.

Challenges:

• In person event attendance. Attendance at in person events in upstate NY has been low. An Ad Hoc committee was set up to boost attendance.
• Increased costs and Finance Impacts. Prices continue to rise and impact our budget and expenses. The Finance Committee is looking at ways to offset these costs so that we are able to pass a balanced budget.

• Buses remain some of our most expensive costs. If they are not sponsored we will not be able to offer transportation for events. Legislative Advocacy and Camp College are two programs that would be impacted if buses are not provided. The board will need to consider modifying programming if transportation is not available.
• In the last couple of years conference sponsorship has been harder to come by as vendors are not sponsoring as much or exhibiting. Colleges have also not been able to sponsor as many conference grants. Sponsorship will now be centralized through the VP for Finance to make sure we are maximizing our efforts and expanding opportunities. We still continue to do outreach for grants so that we can provide as many members as we can with the opportunity to attend the conference, whether that be partial or full grants. NYSACAC has also contributed money to conference grants to help fill the gap, however, the gap keeps widening each year.
• *NACAC College Fair Revenue Share Ends. This was the first year we did not receive the NACAC college fair revenue share of approx $20-$30K. We were awarded the NACAC Gain Grant of $8,000. This is not guaranteed each year and it needs to be requested and reconciled each year.

A special thank you and congratulations to David Follick (Nassau Community College) for many years of service as he completed his term as Immediate Past President, Haniya Mee (Oakwood Friends School) who will be moving into the President’s role, and to Bryan Rothestein (Hofstra University) who was elected President-Elect. As always, thank you to Kathleen McArthur for always looking out for us and the organization.

Best wishes for a relaxing and enjoyable summer with family and friends. We hope to see you at the NYSACAC meet up at NACAC in Minneapolis.

Lauren Sangimino, NYSACAC Immediate Past President

Caitlin Domagal, Professional Development

David Follick, Past President

Hannah Kingsley, Media & Marketing

Marguerite Lane, Middle Management

Stacy Ledermann, Summer Institute

Colette Montgomery, College Fairs

Madison Morgan, Newsletter

Lauren Quigley, Coming Together

Danielle (Danny) Robinson, VP Impact & Success

Annie Stull, Government Relations

Tiarah Vergara, Camp College

Mike White, Membership Relations

Thank you from Nazareth to all the attendees of the NYSACAC Coming Together and Annual Conference! Our Admissions staff, along with the rest of our campus partners, truly enjoyed having you in Rochester. We hope you were able to network, learn something new and enjoy some time connecting with colleagues while celebrating another completed year. Thanks for kicking off the Knicks championship at Naz! We look forward to seeing you again in the future.

I know they will serve our association with dedication, vision, and integrity, and I look

forward to seeing the positive impact they will make!

Celebrating Our 2026 Annual Award Recipients

Each year, NYSACAC recognizes members whose leadership and service exemplify the very best of our profession. Congratulations to our 2026 Annual Award recipients:

• President's Award: Joanna "JB" Broda, School of Holy Child
• Distinguished Service Award - College: Brenna May, Bennington College
• Distinguished Service Award - High School: Courtney Stern, Brighton High School
• Distinguished Service Award - Community Based Organization: Donald Ruff, The Eagle Academy Foundation
• Inclusion, Access, and Success Award: Lauren Quigley, AECI Charter Schools Network
• Rising Star Award: Hannah Kingsley, St. Lawrence University

Thank you for your dedication to our students, your institutions, and our profession. Your

contributions continue to strengthen NYSACAC and inspire all of us!

With Gratitude

No leader succeeds alone, and I have been fortunate to work alongside exceptional

colleagues during the past three years. I have been fortunate to work with some amazing Vice Presidents (Danny Robinson, Rob Olivia, Rob Robinson, Brenna May, Secretaries Bryan Rothstein, (he also served as a former VP), and Melissa Bellantonio, and Representatives, Briana Avery, Emmanuel “Manny” Moses, Ricky Papandrea, Ashley Hettinger, Alex El Helou, Morgan Theze, Nicole Radassao, Luis Barcelo, Haniya Mee, Sarah Ireland, Tyler Anderson, Brian Gleitsmann, Mark Mason, Amanda Brady, and Courtney Stern.

I extend my sincere appreciation to Chris Doyle of Marist University and Heidi Green of the Fayetteville-Manlius School District. As the presidents who preceded me, you established a strong foundation for our association and were always generous with your guidance, encouragement, and friendship. Your mentorship made me a better leader.

A special thank you goes to Kathleen McArthur, our Executive Director. Kathleen is the steady force behind NYSACAC. Her unwavering commitment, thoughtful counsel, and tireless dedication keep our association moving forward every day. She is truly the cornerstone of our organization.

To our current President, Haniya Mee of Oakwood Friends School, congratulations as you begin your presidential year. I have watched your leadership grow, and I am confident you will guide NYSACAC with purpose, compassion, and excellence.

Finally, I would like to recognize Lauren Sangimino of Stony Brook University. Watching

your professional growth has been a privilege. Throughout this past year, your

professionalism, collaboration, and commitment to our members have helped

strengthen our association and position it for continued success. I know your future in

this profession is incredibly bright.

Looking Ahead

Serving NYSACAC over the past three years has been a deeply rewarding experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside so many dedicated professionals who share a passion for expanding educational opportunity and supporting students. As we look toward the future, I encourage every member to become involved.

Whether by serving on a committee, volunteering at an event, or pursuing a leadership role, your
contributions make our association stronger. NYSACAC thrives because of the dedication and generosity of its members.

Thank you once again for allowing me to serve and help guide our association over the
past three years. I look forward to seeing many of you at future NYSACAC events
throughout 2027.

Wishing you a wonderful summer and continued success in the year ahead.

Dave Follick, Nassau Community College

The NYSACAC Executive Board is excited to announce the adoption of a new customer relationship management (CRM) system for the organization. For at least the past 12 years, we have used MemberClicks to manage our website, membership data, and event registrations. Over the next several months, these systems will be migrated to GlueUp, a more advanced and streamlined technology services provider that will bring NYSACAC up-to-date with current technology offerings. We expect the full migration to happen by the end of August so that the membership renewal process will take place in the new system.

Questions about this process? Please reach out to [email protected] and we would be happy to answer. We are looking forward to seeing NYSACAC take advantage of all GlueUp has to offer!

Brenna May, NYSACAC Vice President for Communications

This spring, the NYSACAC Professional Development Committee hosted a dynamic series of forums centered on the theme of resilience—a timely and essential topic for professionals navigating today’s evolving admissions landscape.

Across three engaging sessions—one virtual forum hosted by Russell Sage College, followed by in-person events at Farmingdale State College and Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology—attendees had the opportunity to connect, reflect, and grow both personally and professionally.

Each forum featured insightful panels of admissions and counseling professionals who shared candid perspectives on sustaining resilience in the face of challenges such as shifting enrollment trends, increasing student needs, and work-life balance. Panelists offered practical strategies for maintaining focus, setting boundaries, and supporting one another across institutions and roles.

A highlight of the series was the inspiring keynote delivered by Joshua Noble of Daneli Partners, whose message emphasized the importance of adaptability, intentionality, and self-awareness. His remarks encouraged participants to reframe obstacles as opportunities for growth and to anchor their work in purpose and community.

In addition to thoughtful discussions, the forums fostered meaningful networking and collaboration among attendees. Participants left with actionable takeaways, renewed energy, and a stronger sense of connection to colleagues across the NYSACAC community.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our host institutions, speakers, and attendees for their contributions to this successful series. As we look ahead, the Professional Development Committee remains committed to creating spaces that support the well-being and continued growth of our members.

Anna Ragno, Professional Development Committee Co-Chair

CBO & Opportunity Program Spotlight

Congratulations to Bill Short on His Retirement!

After decades of dedicated service to students and the Higher Education Opportunity Program, Bill Short is retiring from St. Lawrence University's HEOP program. A respected leader and advocate for educational opportunity, Bill's impact on students, families and colleagues across New York's EOP/HEOP community will be felt for years to come. We thank him for his commitment and wish him a fulfilling retirement.

Welcome, Erin Colvin!

Congratulations to Erin Colvin as she steps into the role of Director of HEOP at St. Lawrence University. We wish her great success as she continues the program's tradition of supporting student access, persistence, and achievement.

Best Practices Corner: Addressing Summer Melt

Each year, students who intend to enroll in college fail to matriculate due to barriers that arise between high school graduation and the start of the fall semester. Known as summer melt, this challenge disproportionately impacts first-generation, low-income, and historically underserved students.

Common barriers include financial aid verification, outstanding balances, housing and registration requirements, unfamiliar college systems, family responsibilities, and uncertainty about the transition to college. Without consistent support, even highly motivated students can struggle to navigate these processes independently.

Best Practices for Reducing Summer Melt

● Start planning before graduation - Early conversations about financial aid, enrollment requirements, housing and college expectations can reduce confusion and build confidence.

● Build clear transition plans - Strong handoffs between high schools, colleges and community-based organizations help ensure students remain connected to support throughout the summer.

● Maintain consistent communication - Text messages, phone calls, virtual check-ins and family engagement can keep students informed and provide opportunities to address concerns before they become barriers.

● Track enrollment milestones - Monitoring key tasks such as financial aid verification, housing applications, orientation registration and course enrollment helps identify students who may need additional support.

● Respond quickly to challenges - Reviewing student portals, connecting students to campus resources and involving family members when appropriate can prevent small issues from becoming enrollment roadblocks.

● Normalize help-seeking behavior - Encouraging students to ask questions and utilize support services reinforces that seeking help is a strength, not a weakness.

Reducing summer melt requires intentional collaboration among schools, colleges and community organizations. Through proactive communication, milestone tracking and timely intervention we can help more students successfully transition from college acceptance to college enrollment.

Summer Melt Resources:

● Summer Bridge Tracker

● Summer Melt Folder

● 18 strategies to combat melt this year

● FSA.Gov: How to Avoid Summer Melt: 4 Tips for Incoming Freshmen

● NACAC: Avoiding Summer Melt

Recent Events

At our most recent event, students and families learned about Opportunity Programs and the college transition process. Attendees also heard from current SEEK, EOP, and HEOP students who shared their experiences, discussed the impact of their programs and offered advice to future applicants and their families.

Help Us Serve You Better

We invite you to complete our brief needs assessment survey by August 1st. Your feedback will help guide future programming and resources.

Interested in getting involved or hosting a future information exchange? Contact [email protected]

At SUNY Broome Community College, Arthur Oakley was recently promoted to Senior Staff Assistant to work with SUNY Reconnect students and adult learners. They also recently brought on board Hailey Hoffmann and Will Jonas to join the admissions team.

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]