SCENESsummer 2012 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Bill Cordes, keynote speaker at the recent MIDWest Conference in Dubuque, spoke about the YOGOWYPI philosophy—you only get out what you put in. Since the conference, YOGOWYPI has been stuck in my brain, fairly close to the latest weekly admissions report and my favorite Jimmy Buffett tunes. That aside, YOGOWYPI can be applied to our everyday lives, both in what we do personally and professionally. When I apply YOGOWYPI to 2012-2013 Iowa ACAC, I see a number of members serving our association who put in their time and talent ACAC President Mark Petty so that others can get out something meaningful and worthwhile.

Over these next few months, Iowa ACAC will be full and well. If you have an interest in serving on a of many activities and events: the 10th annual R.I.D.E, committee or would like to become more involved Admission Counselor University (ACU), Support with the association, I encourage you to visit Staff Workshop, Executive Board summer retreat, www.iowaacac.org and complete the online lend- and a membership event on August 2. Also, mark a-hand form. You are also welcome to contact me your calendar and plan to attend the annual NACAC directly at [email protected] and we will find a place Conference in Denver October 4-6. In addition to for you to get involved. these events, I will be traveling to Cleveland for the While many of us in the admissions world will NACAC Leadership Development Institute July 20- continue to secure our entering classes over the 21. This program allows me, and other members of the coming weeks, I hope you will be able to find time to presidential cycle, to interact and network with other relax and enjoy all that summer has to offer. We are state and regional affiliates. in a noble profession and remember YOGOWYPI! The Executive Board will hold a retreat later this summer where we will chart the course for the Mark Petty upcoming year. I’m looking forward to working with Iowa Wesleyan College a team of talented colleagues who bring forth a wealth of knowledge to serve Iowa ACAC. We will discuss P.S. If you are out and about in the land of social how we can engage more members in the work of our networks, use #IowaACAC to stay connected. association and how Iowa ACAC can continue to be the source of information to assist with the transition of students into higher education within the state of Iowa. It takes many people to keep Iowa ACAC alive MIDWest 2012 Conference

‘Best of the MIDWest—Education in the Heartland’ was the theme of the 2012 MIDWest spring conference in Dubuque, Iowa, that was attended by nearly 500 admission professionals. This was the second MIDWest conference in conjunction with Minnesota, Iowa, the Dakotas and Wisconsin ACACs. Participants chose from 42 conference sessions, explored the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, and danced at Club84—with Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, George Michael and Gene Simmons! During the Iowa ACAC state meeting, Mark Petty received the presidential gavel from Tom Delahunt. Awards for High School Professional of the Year and Admission Professional of the Year were presented to Leah Heidemann from Carlisle HS and Erin Gabriel from . Finally, the conference raffle raised $2,124 for the Boys & Girls Club! Please plan to join us for the 2013 Iowa ACAC Spring Conference Erin Gabriel, Drake University, Admissions Professional of the Year in Sioux City and the 2014 MIDWest ACAC Spring Conference in Madison!

Erin Gabriel Conference Planning Chair Assistant Director of Admission Drake University

Outgoing MIDWest ACAC presidents and NACAC representatives First-timer profile: Tom at UIU

As a first-time attendee of the MIDWest ACAC conference, I have to The social event was a highlight for me as I do enjoy meeting so say I was impressed. My experience started with a unique opportunity many other admissions professionals in a casual setting where we can to be a part of the planning committee where I gained heaps of discuss the exceptional experiences we go through each year. knowledge as to all the work that goes into these great events. While at the conference, I was able to attend some educational and Thomas Reburn enlightening sessions. Two fellas from UNI led a session on Tuesday Assistant Director of Admissions that energized me to get back to my students and truly be conscious as to how I use my language to best assist them in their enrollment process. Thanks Ryan and Freddy! College Fair Automation

From a distance the sights and sounds of an Iowa ACAC college fair are beginning to look like your grocery store checkout line. Beeps and blips. Red lasers scanning across columns of black and white bar codes. Take a closer look and you’ll find the benefits of College Fair Automation in Iowa!

With the implementation of scanners, deliverable and we are reaching students in the the Office of Admissions at the University time frame that they expect. of Northern Iowa was hoping to see fewer Admissions counselors who have used the contact cards stacking up through the fall scanners at fairs applaud the fact that they can semester, as well as more accurate data loaded simply scan the bar code within seconds, and opportunity to discuss how to make valuable use into our CRM system. Beginning with the then spend the remainder of the time actually of their time at a college fair – while students first week of Iowa ACAC fairs in September conversing with the student. There are no more filled out the quick information online. Students of 2011, 60% of the college fair contacts awkward attempts to engage a student who could not board the bus for the trip unless received by UNI were from the electronic spends five minutes hunched over the table they had their code in hand! The juniors have loads. This saved staff approximately 85 filling out the contact card. reported to me that they have found the follow- hours of data entry time. Most recently, at At the October 2011 fair in Sheldon, all of up emails from the colleges helpful.” the North Iowa Area Community College the juniors from Marcus-Meridan-Cleghorn As you prepare for college fair season next Fair held on May 9, 2012, 91% of our total (MMC) High School came prepared with their year, you are encouraged to promote the use contacts were downloaded from the scanner, bar codes. of the College Fair Automation scanners. leaving only 9% of contacts to be entered by MMC School Counselor Renae Ogren The benefits for both students and admission hand. reports, “The scanner system provided another counselors are numerous! The turnaround for loading the electronic way for our students to have efficient and leads into the Admissions Office data base accurate information presented to the colleges Amy Schipper can be less than 24 hours. This allows for that each student visited. We implemented Assistant Director of Admissions - much quicker follow up with the students this communication tool by requiring all of Communications who have requested information from the our juniors to have their special code before University of Northern Iowa college or university. Additionally, we feel attending the Sheldon College Fair in October. much more confident that the address is As a counselor, it gave me an additional Visit the Hill 2012

sessions, participants separated into their various constituent groups to discuss issues relevant to their specific demographic. Andy Baumert of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities met with participants from the private colleges. Diana Gonzalez, Chief Academic Officer for the presented information to the public universities constituent group. Bradley Dyke of Des Moines Area Community College met with participants from the community college sector. An advocacy training session was led by Jos Linn of RESULTS, Inc. This session allowed participants to pull their talking points together and develop their “EPIC Laser Talk” in preparation to meet with legislators at the Capitol after lunch. We were pleased to have Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds as our luncheon speaker. The Lt. Governor addressed the Branstad- Reynolds Recommendations for World Class Schools which will be presented this legislative session. She gave more information about the reasoning behind the proposal and addressed questions from the audience. Many staff Joshua D’Amico, Hannah Suddendorf, Sarah Washler, participants had the chance to take pictures with the Lt. Governor and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Heidi Hesse ask more questions. After lunch, participants traveled to the rotunda of the Iowa State On February 22, 2012, 68 members of the Iowa ACAC and the Capitol Building to visit with their local senators and representatives. Iowa School Counselor Association met at the Embassy Suites on Some appointments were able to be made in advance and other the River in Des Moines for our 13th annual Visit the Hill Day. We participants met with representatives before committee meetings. The were joined by students from Exira-EHK High School, Carlisle High overall response was that the legislators were receptive to the issues School and Johnston High School. Students from Des Moines Area and were supportive of education efforts and school counselors in Community College and graduate students from the Iowa. Packets were left for all members of the Iowa Congress in their and the University of Northern Iowa also attended the event. mailboxes so they can all be aware of the issues. During the morning, participants were involved with information Mark your calendar for Visit the Hill 2013 set for Wednesday, sessions vital to our organizations. Presenters and topics included: Steve February 20, 2013! Loven, ICAN, with a Q & A regarding Financial Aid; Anne Johnson, Iowa Lakes Community College, discussing issues of Rural Access; Julie Fopma and Lisa Thompson-Gillespie and Carol Klose-Smith, University of Government Relations Chair Iowa, spoke regarding School Counselor Advocacy. Following these Associate Director of Admissions Iowa Wesleyan College Admission Counselor University

Summer is the time when many of you will be welcoming new personnel to your admissions staff or maybe you have already recently hired new professionals. As you continue to make your summer plans please ensure any new Admissions Representatives on your staff register for and attend Admission Counselor University (ACU) hosted by the Professional Development Committee. ACU is an excellent networking opportunity for those who are new to the profession and a great source for learning new tips and secrets of the trade. A wide range of topics are covered during the event from safe travel tips and the basics of financial aid to what not to do at college fairs. Year after year we hear positive feedback from participants about their experiences and how great it was to meet and interact with other new admission professionals. ACU will be held on July 24 and 25 at the Iowa City Sheraton. Registration can be completed on the Iowa ACAC website: www.iowaacac.com. A block of rooms will also be held for participants at the Sheraton until Tuesday, July 3. Please take advantage of this opportunity to provide a platform for new counselors in your office to network and gain some excellent professional development experiences. We look forward to seeing you in July.

Steph Peters Professional Development Chair Director of Admissions Morningside College Changes of Scenery

Central College Iowa Lakes Community College Melissa Anderson, former Associate Director of Admission, and her Kim Putz has been hired as an admission counselor. husband Jason welcomed triplets Brecken, Ryker and Brooklynn on February 18, 2012. Heather Asmus has left the admission office at Iowa Lakes Community College to become supervisor of the Spirit Lake Campus. Steffanie Bonnstetter and Melissa Brock have been promoted to Associate Directors of Admission. Jaclyn Tungesvik, Program Coordinator for High Ability Recruitment, and her husband Mike welcomed Ty Henry Tungesvik Julie Cirks, Assistant Director of Admission, and her husband Grant on January 16, 2012. welcomed Isabelle Ann Cirks on April 11, 2012. Tony Smith has been hired as an admission counselor and will be Holly Fourtner has been promoted to Senior Associate assigned to the suburbs of Chicago. Tony served as a graduate intern Director of Admission. in the admissions office this past year and will join the staff beginning July 1. Cara Joens has been promoted to Associate Director of Admission. Western Iowa Tech Community College ICAN Amber Kilburn, Recruitment Specialist, and her husband Eric Maria Upmeyer will be a new Outreach Representative in the welcomed Brynnley Jessica Ann Kilburn on April 9, 2012. Cedar Rapids Office starting June 4.

Carol Bogaard will be a new Outreach Representative with a home office in NW Iowa starting June 25. Change of Scenery Announcements Iowa Central Community College What’s new in your world? A promotion? New staff? A new addition to Trevor Johnson has been hired as an Enrollment the family? Let us know. Please email Change of Scenery announcements Recruitment Specialist. to Emily Kruse at [email protected]. Thank you!