NACAC Preconference Seminars are paid, 2.5 hour sessions that will be held on the morning of Thursday, September 18, ahead of the opening NACAC Conference 2025 Main Stage event.
These seminars can be added for an additional fee in the registration process.
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025
8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Seminar Offerings
AI is already shaping the way students navigate the college application process—but how are educators using it in their own work? This hands-on workshop goes beyond theory to equip both college counselors and admissions professionals with practical AI strategies they can apply immediately. Through interactive exercises and active participation, attendees will build a toolkit of ethical AI prompts designed to support counseling, application review, and student engagement while maintaining authenticity. Participants will leave with new skills they can confidently use, as well as the knowledge to lead informed discussions about responsible AI integration in college counseling and admissions.
Learning Objectives:
- Develop Practical AI Skills – Attendees will learn hands-on strategies to incorporate AI into their daily work, gaining skills that enhance efficiency in counseling, application review, and student engagement.
- Build an Ethical AI Toolkit – Participants will create a set of AI prompts and guidelines tailored to their professional roles, ensuring they can use AI in a way that supports authenticity, transparency, and ethical best practices.
- Lead Informed AI Conversations – Educators will gain the confidence and knowledge to guide discussions with students, colleagues, and institutional leadership about responsible AI use in college counseling and admissions.
Speakers:
- Emily Pacheco, Associate Dean of Admission/Case Western Reserve University
- Sebastian Brown, Regional Admission Counselor/ University of Oregon
In today’s higher education environment, the role of chief enrollment officer, as referred to by journalist Eric Hoover, is one of “the hottest seats on campus,” requiring knowledge and expertise across multiple functional areas as well as the ability to effectively navigate relationships up, down, and across the institution. How might the next generation of leaders prepare to take up this role with confidence? What knowledge and skill sets will advance their talents? This seminar will offer practical advice and strategies for participants to learn how to develop resilience, practice self-reflection and align personal values and principles for rewarding institutional executive leadership roles. The seminar will explore how these critical elements of authentic leadership support their capacity to develop an institutional mindset; to move from operational to strategic thinking; and to lead, motivate and empower others. Participants will reflect on and engage their current competencies and identify those they intend to develop further with the assistance of recommended developmental frameworks and takeaways from the seminar. In addition, the seminar will address how emerging enrollment leaders can identify supportive environments, professional development opportunities and intentional pathways to ensure long-term satisfaction, impact and leadership continuity in the profession.
Speakers:
Laurie Koehler, Principal/Koehler Consulting
Jennifer Desjarlais, Principal/Cambridge Hill Partners
Liz Cheron, Chief Executive Officer/Coalition for College
In this session, through a series of interactive exercises, we’ll explore: How can counselors create a workshop environment that invites openness, vulnerability, and creativity? What’s the role of the facilitator? How much sharing is “too much” when it comes to describing mental health challenges? How can students write about race and culture in a way? What are some simple, effective ways to help students provide one another feedback? We’ll discuss formats for 1-hr, 2-hr, 3-hr, multi-day, and multi-week workshops. Attendees will receive practical handouts (and slides!) they can use with students right away.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn to create a workshop environment that invites openness, vulnerability, and creativity
- Develop a robust set of tools for helping students learn about who they are and how to effectively demonstrate those qualities to colleges
- Get practical handouts and slides you can use with students right away
Speakers:
- Ethan Sawyer, Founder/College Essay Guy
- Hanah Lim, Director of Workshops/College Essay Guy
We live in interesting times. A great deal has transpired that has affected international student mobility in the past year. How can you & your institution adapt and adjust – and stay sane & balanced – while advancing your priorities, goals, mission, vision, and values? A faculty of global education leaders, representing a diverse cross-section of our international higher education & counseling communities, will guide you through recent changes, and will recommend best practices for guiding, engaging with and attracting international students now. This workshop will support the goals of both counselors and admissions professionals working with international students.
Learning Objectives:
For Counselors Guiding International Students:
- Understand the geopolitical, economic, and social pressures impacting global university admissions, and how these trends apply to the journey of international students seeking access to higher education.
- Improve your school systems & your team’s advocacy in guiding international students to global higher education options across borders, that meet the needs of all students, regardless of country of origin or socioeconomic background.
- Gain insights on the path to employment for international students seeking global mobility in the US, and beyond, after completing their undergraduate degree. For Higher Education UG Admissions & Enrollment Professionals:
- Define & explore opportunities ahead for engaging with prospective international students, as well as, their counselors, families, and schools.
- Connect the dots between global demographic changes, political upheaval & impact, and international student decision-making patterns across key regions to guide strategic thinking.
- Identify actionable insights & evidence-based best practices to help higher ed representatives advance mission-driven international enrollment goals during a time of uncertainty & turmoil.
Speakers:
- Clay Hensley, Global Higher Education Specialist
- Additional speakers to be added
The world of college athletics is consistently evolving and can be confusing and overwhelming for students, parents, coaches, and administrators. Enjoy a lively and interactive session with experts from the NCAA National Office and the secondary and post-secondary education communities as they help you better understand the changing landscape of college sports.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the roles of various stakeholders (students, parents, coaches, school counselors, admissions staff) in the NCAA initial eligibility process.
- Determine best practices for assisting prospective student-athletes with common NCAA initial eligibility issues that may arise.
- Evaluate realistic case studies to ensure that prospective student-athletes are being provided the most accurate information and advice to be successful in their first year of college.
Speakers:
- Matt Harris, Assistant Director of High School Review/NCAA
As the population of students who are neurodivergent or have disabilities entering college grows exponentially, advisors and counselors must move beyond basic accommodations to truly support their success. This pre-conference seminar offers practical, transformative advising strategies to navigate the complexities of college planning, admissions, and retention for students with diverse and often intersecting identities. Participants will gain actionable tools to improve accessibility, build key partnerships with professionals, and enhance counseling, recruitment, and retention efforts. With neurodivergent students representing one of the fastest-growing demographics in higher education, this session is essential for professionals looking to lead the way in fostering inclusive, student-centered success. Join us and take your advising strategies to the next level.
Learning Objectives:
- Develop Targeted Advising Strategies – Learn practical tools and frameworks to effectively guide neurodivergent and disabled students through the college search, application, and transition process, ensuring a more individualized and supportive approach.
- Enhance Cross-Sector Collaboration – Explore ways to build strong partnerships between high school counselors, college admissions teams, disability services, and external professionals to create a seamless support system for students.
- Improve Recruitment & Retention Practices – Gain insights into inclusive admissions and retention strategies that acknowledge the complexities of neurodivergent student profiles, ensuring both access to college and long-term success within higher education.
Speakers:
- Alexander Morris-Wood, Head of School/Franklin Academy
- Annie Tulkin, Founder and Director/Accessible College, LL
Description: Administrators need a comprehensive, practical understanding of the admissions tests and their limitations to make informed decisions about testing policies. This session will feature Akil Bello, an experienced test preparation professional and advocate for test-optional admissions, alongside a respected psychometrician who will provide a thorough exploration of the strengths and limitations of admissions tests, the implications of various testing policies, and strategies for developing an institutional-appropriate policy. With data-driven insights and diverse perspectives, this discussion will equip enrollment leaders with a well-rounded understanding of testing. The session will offer valuable information to guide policy decisions, support advocacy efforts, and effectively communicate your position to your board, president, the media, and the public.
Learning Objectives:
- Full understanding of trends in admissions testing policies
- How various admissions tests policies and practice affect student perception and behavior
- Understanding the various legal and otherwise, implications of various test score use approaches.
Speakers:
- Akil Belo, Senior Director of Advocacy/FairTest
Pricing
| NACAC Member Rate | Associate Member / Nonmember Rate |
|
|---|---|---|
| Through April 24 | $85 | $150 |
| April 25 – July 24 | $95 | $160 |
| July 25 – September 25 | $105 | $170 |
| Onsite | $115 | $180 |
