Message from the Chair
September 2024 NACAC Board Meeting Update
It was thrilling to see more than 7,100 attendees fill the convention center in Los Angeles for the 80th NACAC conference. This extraordinary gathering allowed us to truly strengthen our courage within. For those who were able to attend, we hope you feel inspired and recommitted to the important work we do. We have highlights online for all to enjoy.
Closing out my year as chair of the NACAC Board of Directors fills me with such gratitude. As I reflect on the experiences with my fellow board members and the progress made by NACAC in advancing the profession, I feel excited for what’s to come. We’re on the brink of true transformation and primed to lead a global college access movement. That was the main takeaway from the board meeting held at NACAC Conference 2024 in Los Angeles. I am pleased to share updates with you from our meeting.
Our action items and discussions included:
- Standard Business
- Chris Loo was appointed chair of the Strategy Committee and secretary of the board. Joseph Montgomery was appointed chair of the Finance and Audit Committee and treasurer of the board. Their terms began Oct. 1.
- The board approved the FY23 audited financial statements and received an update on year-to-date financial performance.
- Impact Report
NACAC CEO Angel B. Pérez provided a summary of NACAC’s first Impact Report, shared publicly during his State of the Association speech on the last day of the conference. The report details how the association has worked on realizing the recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee on Leadership in College Admission. The committee sought to answer a central question: What does the future of accessible, inclusive, equitable, and affordable postsecondary education look like, and what does NACAC need to change to make that a reality? The committee’s work has been NACAC’s North Star, and the Impact Report offers an overview of how NACAC is uniquely positioned to innovate in the field’s pressing areas of need. - A Center for Reimagining College Access
NACAC is continuing its work to create a center for reimagining college access. A new blueprint of the center focuses on four key areas: evolving the admission process, evolving the college access workforce, evolving the scholar-practitioner model, and evolving how students connect to colleges. NACAC Chief Education and Policy Officer David Hawkins described the latest plans for creating the center as a future-facing pillar of the association that will redesign outdated, inequitable structures in college access. NACAC will begin searching for the center’s inaugural leader later this year. - The Future of Philanthropy
NACAC Director of Philanthropy and Enterprise Development Tommy Amal provided an overview of plans to expand philanthropic support for NACAC through strategic partnerships, increased annual giving, and broader engagement with potential funders.
At the conclusion of NACAC Conference 2024, our outgoing board members finished their terms and we are so thankful for their contributions. The board extends its deepest gratitude to Tahirah Crawford, Eddie Pickett, Catie Taylor, and Vern Granger. Not only did these dedicated leaders generously serve the association, but they also challenged their board colleagues to think boldly and thoughtfully consider diverse viewpoints. We are a better board because of them.
To conclude my final update on behalf of the Board of Directors, I’d like to thank you for your support throughout this year. Serving as chair was the greatest professional development opportunity of my life, and I’m proud of our work together.
Phil Moreno is now serving as board chair. He brings a high level of enthusiasm and care for the association, and his leadership will help energize the board in the coming year. He will be sharing updates with you after future board meetings.
If you have any questions about our board meeting update, please contact boardchair@nacacnet.org.
Sincerely,
Angelica Melendez
NACAC Board Chair
