Each year WACAC offers several pre-conferences for admission professionals to address specific topics in more depth during the annual conference. Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA), is one of the pre-conferences. IDEA is designed to create a safe space that encourages and supports the discussion of issues of diversity that are often sensitive and require careful dialogue. We feel it is important for all college admission professionals to attend and be a part of this important dialogue to learn from one another. We strive to share information and incite discussion with our colleagues to remain up-to-date and well informed on best practices.
This year’s th
eme addresses the multiple and intersecting identities of our students and how these are manifested through the college admission process and beyond. We have designed a pre-conference that will address the process of self-identifying with and negotiating multiple identities. Workshop topics will include working with students who identify as a first generation college-goer, an underrepresented minority and/or LGBTQ and transgender individual. We will host two keynote speakers who have experience working with these different populations in the admission process and during the undergraduate years. Our hope is that by initiating dialogue with our colleagues in student affairs we can work together in helping students through the process of selecting a college that will make them feel supported and empowered through their undergraduate years.
We encourage you to join us in this important conversation as we continue to address issues of equity and access among our minority student population. Please take a look at the IDEA page on the WACAC website for more information. We look forward to seeing you there!
IDEA offers same day walk-in registration on a limited basis and the $75.00 pre-conference cost includes a continental breakfast and lunch.
By Yamilet Medina Lopez