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 4th 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
