Each year, MnACC provides over $10,000 in college scholarships for students of color in Minnesota. Recipients receive a one-time award ranging between $500 to $2,500 to be used towards their education at a MnACC Member Institution during the 2022-2023 academic year.

The Presidential Scholarship is a $2,500 one-time award that recognizes at least one student who has demonstrated strong academic achievement and a clear commitment to one or more of the areas outlined above. This award is presented on behalf of the current president and executive board members at their discretion.

The deadline is 3/21/22. Apply here.

Words wiz by at the speed of my thumb as I scroll my phone screen to keep up with the changing headlines. The news is devastating, but my heartbreak bears no comparison to those who live the injustices every single day. The words of George Floyd and his murder ignited the hearts of thousands across the nation, “I can’t breathe”. We are in a catalyzing stage of a historical movement on behalf of the many, many black and brown individuals that have lost their lives to police brutality.

Google dictionary defines 'catalyst' as a person or thing that precipitates an event. It is our mission to support our counselors of color and accomplices, so that we can support our Minnesota students of color. This organization was fundamentally created to address the racial and economic disparities that impact achievement. We see the narrative, we hear it, and many of us live it. In this time of heartbreak, anger, fear and fatigue I encourage you to lean on one another, your personal and professional communities, to gain the energy required to uphold the need for radical change to the injustices that our communities of color face. If you are protesting, cleaning up, or donating goods to Twin Cities neighborhoods, please practice safety and thank you for your active involvement! If, like me, you do not live in or near Minneapolis, consider how you can be a catalyst for others: How can we use our unique talents to drive the change we want to see? What perspectives can we converse about to create enlightenment? How are we involving ourselves to better our personal communities? Who of our leaders can we hold accountable to make sure change happens and lasts? Are we prepared to vote in November?

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, we are stronger when we work together. To each and every MnACC community member, please take care during these uncertain times.

Best Wishes,

Rachel

Dear MnACC Community,

I blinked and it was February! Does anyone else feel that way? I hope your 2020 year is off to a great start! Some great events are underway for MnACC in this spring academic season! First, registration is now open for MnACC spring fairs which will take place between April 7 – 17^th. We have a great line up of 12 metro schools whose students are eager to meet with you and dive into the conversation of higher education. We are expecting more than 4,300 students throughout the duration so pack your promo materials! Registration will remain open until Monday, March 23^rd, 2020.

Our Programming committee reviewed the surveys from the MnACC fall fair circuit and we appreciated your feedback. We believe transparency in our work leads to stronger connections, thereby enhancing the services we provide to our Minnesota students of color. When constructing the spring fairs, we strive to maintain that same transparency with our high school counselors by creating clear goals for the execution of events. We are in communication with Go To College Fairs to provide the advice you’ve given in order to better enhance spring fairs. Thank you for holding us accountable. We are stronger when we work together!

Are your admitted and enrolled students looking for scholarship opportunities? Let them know about MnACC Scholarships ranging from $500 - $2500! Details are listed on our website. Counselors - interested in helping with Scholarship Reading Day? Keep an eye out for a date slated for early April.

Our Advisory committee is working with Washington Technology Magnet School to host a Professional Development session after the fair on Tuesday, April 8 from 9:30-11:30am. This PD is open to all admissions counselors/representatives. Our PD sessions focus on relevant cultural, socioeconomic, and current event topics as they relate to recruitment of underrepresented students. We encourage you to join this community to learn, grow, and network!

Finally, our Development committee is pleased to launch their 2^nd annual Green Mill Fundraising event. Join us on Tuesday, April 14^th for a full day of food and drink while we host an online silent auction. Last year we raised over $2000 for MnACC Scholarships! Expect an array of certificates for sports events, restaurants, salons, museums and more! Find the Green Mill coupon on our website to donate 15% of your bill to the cause.

As always, we are grateful for the work you do to evolve the higher education landscape. May we continue our momentum into 2020.

                                                                                                                                    Warm Regards,

Rachel

MnACC President

Greetings,

From my office chair; a place I’ve yearned for since late September, when highways replaced my dual computer screens. My name is Rachel and I serve as President this academic year for Minnesota Association of Counselors of Color. After thousands of miles on the road, hundreds of Holiday Inn points accrued and multiple gas station snack stops, it feels good to be back at home base.

Travel season; a time of perpetual exerted energy and broken record elevator pitches behind a decorated college table. To my counterparts still on the recruitment trail - you too have a light waiting at the end of the tunnel. The work you do is valuable!

Fall Fair Circuit

Over the last two weeks, MnACC partnered with 17 Twin Cities metro high schools to bring 54 colleges and universities to meet with students. During the fairs we offered a professional development session to college counselors with Wayne Felton II, Coordinator of Educational Equity for District 622 where we learned to craft our racial autobiographies and the importance of sharing those stories. That evening we gathered for a networking hour at Surly Brewery. On November 4^th we launched our online MnACC scholarship application for high school seniors applying to any of our member institutions. The weeks were busy, but the labor was rewarding. To those involved in the process, you know who you are and we greatly appreciate your efforts.

Changes to MnACC

I want to personally thank all of our member institutions for your patience as we ironed through kinks of our new website platform this fall. Changes were extensive and membership renewal was rocky, but we’ve heard your suggestions and will apply them to our processes in the future. We hope you are enjoying the new look and efficiency of our website.

You may have also noticed an increase in our membership dues from last year. MnACC, like many of our congruent organizations, is committed to the services we provide. Furthermore, our commitment to support of underrepresented students through the college search process, as stated in our mission, has led us to make changes to our pricing structure in order to continue our normal operations. We are continuously grateful for your support.

Why We Exist

A question we sometimes get is, why have an organization devout to counselors of color? An answer certainly has layers, but simply put, MnACC empowers counselors of color through professional development and leadership opportunities to positively impact the students of color they serve. They work diligently for the first generation and underrepresented college goers because they see themselves in these students. We do what we do because we know diversifying perspectives in higher education is critical to equitable societal advancement. All the long hours on the road and nights away from home propel the futures of Minnesota’s students of color. This is why MnACC exists. We are stronger when we work together. Thank you for making MnACC exist for nearly 30 years. I look forward to the work we will accomplish together in this academic year.

Regards,

Rachel Nguyen

Check out our newly redesigned MnACC Job Board. Job posters - if you had a login from the old site, you will need to create a new account here.

Welcome to our new site! We are hopeful that our new site will give you a better user experience as you renew your MnACC membership and register for college fairs.