By Rachel Williams, NACAC Communications
Arlington, VA (July 16, 2024) – To support college admission counselors’ access to professional development and to more deeply connect with the communities of host cities, the National Association for College Admission Counseling has created a scholarship award to cover registration for Guiding the Way to Inclusion (GWI), NACAC’s annual conference dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The first round of scholarships was awarded in partnership with the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling, as this year’s GWI conference is happening in New Orleans, Louisiana July 30-Aug. 1.
Meet the scholarship recipients:
Allison Bruno, counselor at Benjamin Franklin High School, a Title I school
“At my school, we have a lot of diverse students: 70 percent minority and 35 percent qualify for free or reduced lunch. Finding more ways they can gain access to different opportunities is what I’m most excited for. At our school, there’s a big focus on DEI and I’m excited to hear more of the ideas out there. Just seeing what other places are doing and how they’re going about recruiting and focusing on DEI in admission.”
Gabrielle Jones, manager of college counseling at Livingston Collegiate Academy, a Title I school
“I was extremely excited and determined to get the scholarship, given that the conference is in New Orleans, where I’m from. You don’t see many conferences on inclusion, so I’m looking forward to getting as much out of it as possible and passing what I learn to my students.”
Stephanie Sutton, college counselor at College Track New Orleans
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity NACAC has given to make sure we can attend conferences in this way. It’s especially important for people in the area where the conference is going to be held to be able to give that local perspective. Also being from a community-based organization, that perspective is needed in the conversation nationally.”
In its 45th year, GWI has become the premier DEI-focused conference for school counselors, admission officers, independent educational consultants, and community-based organization professionals who are committed to championing the needs of diverse students within the college admission process. The annual gathering — in a different city each year — offers educational sessions on multicultural recruitment, campus inclusion, and advocacy, and provides a space for like-minded individuals to reflect on current issues and best practices.
“NACAC’s mission is to expand access to education, and that includes the education of our college admission counseling professionals,” said David Hawkins, NACAC’s chief education and policy officer. “We are thrilled to support the professional development of our members and give back to the cities that graciously host us each year.”
