More than 700 high school guidance counselors and college admissions professionals from around the state will get to experience SUNY Geneseo’s sense of community first-hand when they visit the campus in June as the college hosts the annual conference of the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling (NYSACAC).
The annual gathering will run June 6-9 with the theme of “One Association. One Vision” and will celebrate a NYSACAC milestone: the organization’s 50th anniversary.
“We are so excited to be able to showcase the Geneseo campus,” said Kevin Reed, associate director of admissions and a host site coordinator. “We are only the second SUNY campus that has hosted this event and can’t wait to give attendees a taste for the uniquely warm, community-centric environment for learning and discovery for which SUNY Geneseo is known.”
As a run-up to the main conference, the first two days of the gathering — June 6 and 7 — will offer higher education professionals, school counselors and college access professionals from around the state the opportunity to discuss and share best practices around inclusion, access and success in post-secondary education. Entitled, “Coming Together,” this portion of the NYSACAC conference — now in its 20th year — provides a space for professionals to discuss issues that impact the most vulnerable college-bound students.
The full conference will feature more than 75 professional development workshops and networking opportunities as well two specialty fairs: one for school counselors and the other for community-based organization professionals. The conference keynote address, scheduled for 11 a.m. June 7, in the Ice Arena, will be given by Geneseo’s own Michael Oberg, SUNY Distinguished Professor of History. Oberg’s address will cover the important issue of intellectual courage.
To showcase the Geneseo campus and surrounding community, Reed and fellow site coordinator Kim Harvey, director of admissions, have facilitated a range of social offerings that highlight the region’s unique sites and features. Wednesday evening’s “Knight’s Tailgate” will offer conference attendees the “royal treatment” by showcasing Geneseo’s sports facility. Guests will get the true Knight fan experience as they join friends and colleagues for food, live music and surprise activities under the bright lights of the College Stadium.
On Thursday, conference goers will have the option to see some of the surrounding region’s famous natural beauty and historic sites, including a tour of Letchworth State Park and a visit to the National War Plane Museum. Also available will be a "paint-and-sip" gathering with local artist Aimee Bergvall from Zest4Art, which will feature some of the region’s best wines.
Later that evening, conference attendees will attend evening socials, including a performance by the world-renowned Rochester Gay Men's Chorus, a rooftop reception in the Integrated Science Center, and a sports-focused gathering in the MacVittie Union. Conference-goers can also explore Geneseo's Main Street for a “Knight on the Town,” with plenty of opportunities for discounted shopping and dining.
“We’ve really worked hard at ensuring that the conference programming and activities truly showcase the very best that Geneseo has to offer,” said Harvey. “More than half of the conference attendees will be school counselors who work with college-ready students, and we are confident that after spending a few great days on our campus and getting to know our community — both on-campus and beyond —they will go back to their schools with a renewed understanding and appreciation for the outstanding college experience we offer. And that this new and favorable perspective will allow them to be better prepared to recommend SUNY Geneseo to their students.”
Reed said they want to give visitors the sense of warmth that is legendary at Geneseo.
“We are encouraging all those who will be on campus during the conference to help us showcase the very core of who we are—one of the nation’s premier public liberal arts colleges,” he said.
Photo: Conference coordinators Kevin Reed, associate director of admissions, and Kim Harvey, director of admissions.
Media Contact:
David Irwin
College Communications and Marketing
(585) 245-5529
Irwin@geneseo.edu