SACAC Wide Virtual Drive-in Workshop: The State of the Association: SACAC + NACAC on Equity, Policy, and the Path Ahead
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Description
Hosted by SACAC’s State and Area Initiatives Committee, this session invites counselors, admissions professionals, and advocates to come together for a timely and energizing conversation about the evolving landscape of college access in the South. Led by a panel of experienced presenters who bring deep knowledge from both the K–12 and higher education worlds, this program will explore:
- Current trends in college enrollment and financial aid, with a focus on how policy shifts and eligibility barriers are shaping outcomes for students across our region.
- Real stories and data from the field, including insights drawn from the Arkansas Department of Education.
- Actionable strategies to help you support students—especially those who are low-income, first-generation, or navigating under-resourced school environments.
Whether you’re looking to better understand the systems influencing your students' options or searching for practical tools to remove barriers, this session will offer both insight and inspiration.
The event starts at 9 am Central/10 am Eastern
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM Central | Introduction to SACAC
Topic: Welcome, Overview of meeting, and how to get involved with SACAC
- Speakers: State and Area Initiatives Committee
- Kristen Bird (UT-Knoxville)
- Monique Tubbs (Polk County Public Schools)
- Darren Morgan (Arkansas Commitment)
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM Central | Financial Aid: Updates & Changing Landscape
Topic: Overview of FAFSA updates - Key changes in the financial aid landscape & Implications for students, families, and counselors
- Speaker: Jason Seay (Tennessee Higher Education Commission & Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation)
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM Central | Education Policy & Advocacy in Higher Ed
Topic: K-12 education policy and its impact on college access; Equitable financial aid strategies; Best practices for advocacy in higher education
- Speaker: Dr. Ashley Young (Senior Education Policy Analyst, Georgia Budget Policy Institute)
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM Central | SACAC Presidential Address
Topic: Address to SACAC members - Vision and priorities for the upcoming year
- Speaker: Arlene Outerbridge, President of SACAC
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM Central | Current Landscape of Higher Education
Topic: Trends and challenges in higher education & Enrollment shifts and policy updates + Q&A session with the NACAC representative
- Speaker: Derek DuBose, NACAC Chair-Elect
Drive-in Workshop
Secondary
Virtual