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June 2024 Quick Minute - Hill Day 2024 Reflections

Katherine Wood (TN) with the group that met with the Department of Education

Katherine Wood, SACAC Member

"On April 29th, 2024, A group of 14 (including a NACAC employee) from the various NACAC Divisions across the country visited the US Department of Education. We were able to speak with staff regarding FAFSA and the barriers that our families have faced. We spoke about frustrations regarding timelines, college decisions and planning and the impact it has had on our students. We shared specific stories of how families ran into problems with completing the new format and expressed our concerns on moving forward with the next cycle of the FAFSA. The US DOE staff was receptive and shared how hearing from us, students, and families was helpful in mitigating challenges with the new format."

From left to right, Megan Rolf (SC), Samantha Krietemeyer (AL), Katherine Wood (TN), Sandria Mason (GA) , Rose Llanos (FL), Lakievia Johnson (SC),  Sean Kennedy (NC)

Sean Kennedy, SACAC President:

“SACAC members from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee joined college admissions professionals from around the country for a national advocacy event in Washington D.C. Over the course of two days, we met with officials at NACAC, the Department of Education, the National Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators, and numerous congressional offices from our various states. Educating congressional offices on the challenges facing access to higher education, in particular, this year with the FAFSA rollout, was a critical part of our time and was a meaningful extension of the work we do every day with our students and families!”

Rose Llanos, Florida GovRel Co-chair:

“Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity to represent our community. The last time I visited the capitol was when I was in the safety patrol in 5th grade! I was long overdue for a visit back.

During the trip, I was able to bond with new SACAC colleagues and other chairs in government relations and receive guidance from national to debrief our team in understanding the landscape and how to prepare us in the best way possible when meeting with our legislators. Attached were the copies of the endorsed bills our office received which were a great help. I also enjoyed being able to meet the NACAC team in person, especially as CJ, and David, have always supported our advocacy days virtually.  I am thankful for having our SACAC president, Sean Kennedy, coordinate a meeting with NASFAA and for allowing me to shadow him in a meeting with his representative. 

Most of our team met with the legislative aides for our representatives, and I was able to have at least one meeting with an aide. My experience with the legislative aide was positive. It was a nice surprise to find out that the legislative aide graduated from the institution I work for: Lynn University. We discussed plans for the upcoming year, and I will look forward to incorporating their involvement with our legislative efforts. I joined my colleagues with their meetings to also support their efforts with their representative meetings. I was also able to collect the contact information for the legislative aides for the rest of the representatives in other divisions and departments so that I can follow up with the NACAC brief handouts and email them about important legislative priorities for our association.

I am so appreciative for the organizers of the event Kristina, Stephanie and Alejandro who were able to coordinate the meeting to make the time together as productive as possible. Regarding feedback to improve the event, I believe better timing could help in allowing more time for preparation for the event since this was the first time in a while that we had a large group for a day on the hill after COVID.  Most of us had a hard time joining the virtual planning meeting since it was the end of the season before leaving to the capitol and could not listen to the recording as there was an issue that the meeting was not recorded. With all of the FAFSA changes, being out of the office during the week of May 1st was a challenging time to be away from the office. There was also one meeting that only one member from each affiliate that could attend with the Department of Education. I think in future reference, it would be great to have been able to receive an update on their meeting with the Department of Education. I also believe an added bonus would be if we could collectively use an emblem or nametag to wear to represent our association.

I cannot thank you enough for your financial and professional support, which has made this endeavor possible and successful!”

Lakievia Johnson, SC SACAC member:

“This was my first time attending such an event, as well. This was a wonderful opportunity, and because of this experience, (1) I learned how to schedule appointments with my legislatures, and (2) I built my confidence in speaking with them.

I appreciate our entire SACAC team for making this a great experience."

Southern Scope is brought to you by the SACAC Communication Advisory Board (CAB).

  • Joseph Blassberg, The Greene School (FL)
  • Allyson Brown, South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (SC)
  • Samantha Krietemeyer, Houston Academy (AL)
  • Madison McGlone, University of Tampa (FL)
  • Jonathan Woog, Charlotte Country Day School (NC)
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