Early Academic Outreach Hosts Conference for Counselors

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Early Academic Outreach Hosts Conference for Counselors

Ron Marx, UA College of Education dean, is among those who helped coordinate features of this year's College Knowledge for Counselors Professional Development Conference.

Numerous UA faculty and administrators were involved in this year's day-long College Knowledge for Counselors Professional Development Conference.

By Mary Frances M. Kuper, Office of Early Academic Outreach
November 24, 2008

The University of Arizona's Office of Early Academic Outreach held its second annual College Knowledge for Counselors Conference on Friday.

Considered a unique professional development opportunity for counselors, the day-long event focused on the issues and challenges of postsecondary enrollment in higher education, particularly for first-generation, low income, and minority students.

College Knowledge for Counselors aims to address these concerns while also providing middle and high school counselors with fresh ideas of how to create and foster a college-going culture in Arizona's schools.

Friday's conference was devoted to helping counselors move beyond admissions requirements to exploring the many skills students need not only to attend college but also to be prepared for success as members of a global community.

This focus on 21^st century skill development showcased a host of subject area experts prepared to discuss the barriers faced by today's students as well as how the academic community can come together to prepare them for the future that lies ahead.

William Sedlacek, Professor Emeritus of Education at the University of Maryland College Park, delivered the conference's keynote address based on his innovative research exploring noncognitive variables in assessing college readiness.

Other presenters discussed such topics as assessment design and implementation, creating transition plans for community college-bound students, and empowering parents.

College Knowledge for Counselors has provided new opportunities for collaboration between Early Academic Outreach and various academic departments across campus and within the community, including the University's College of Education.

"We understand the vital role that school counselors play in helping our children and youth understand the value of higher education," said Ron Marx, the UA College of Education dean.

Marx and faculty members from the UA's Center for the Study of Higher Education and the School Counseling Program, teamed up with Early Academic Outreach to offer its newest initiative: College Knowledge for School Teams. The intiative was created with funding from the Arizona Community Foundation.

Team members from four pilot schools joined school counselors from across the state to attend the annual conference and worked to develop school-specific action plans to encourage more students to attend college.

"Moreover, counselors are key to helping all youth realize that, with proper preparation and forethought, they can gain access to and be successful in post-secondary study."