Advise TX Advisers Take the Spotlight at National CAC Conference
The UT Austin chapter of Advise TX advisers wrapped up a successful year at the College Advising Corps (CAC) Adviser Forum West Conference held this past December in Los Angeles, Calif. More than 400 advisers from chapters in the Western United States came together at the forum to learn from each other and build upon their skillsets.
The CAC is comprised of more than 700 advisers in 16 states across the nation who are working to improve college outcomes for low-income, first- generation and underrepresented students. Advisers in chapters in the eastern part of the country will be attending the Forum East Conference in Jan. 2019 in New York City.
Throughout the three-day conference, themed “Advancing Opportunity,” members of the UT Austin chapter joined hundreds of their fellow advisers in a number of professional development workshops, speaker events and panel sessions. Listed below are a few highlights.
Flor De la Mora of Del Valle High School was named as a CAC Research & Evaluation Fellow. She also helped with the conference’s social media efforts as a member of the Social Media Team. Follow the online conversation via #CACForum.
Cecilia Flores of Juarez-Lincoln High School was named as a finalist for the Peter and Laurie Grauer True North Award, the highest CAC award for excellence in college advising. She also shared her college experience as a first-generation student and Gates Millennium Scholar during a TedX Talk segment.
Nathan Schwausch of Hutto High School was honored by CAC Founder and President Nicole Hurd (pictured above) for getting 100 percent of seniors in his high school to submit one college application.
Iesha Jackson of DeSoto High School (pictured above), and Shalom Hernandez of Socorro High School introduced headline conference speakers.
Shalom Hernandez spoke about her college journey.
Calep Smith of Madison High School asking a question during a breakfast session.
Juliann Solis of PSJA Southwest asking a question during a luncheon session.
Nathan Schwausch presented a workshop titled “Mo Money, Mo Problems” at a workshop on how to read financial aid award letters.
Housed within the Longhorn Center for School Partnerships, Advise TX is part of the national College Advising Corps, a growing consortium of more than 20 partner institutions, including The University of Texas at Austin, around the country who have committed to recruit and train talented, enthusiastic recent college graduates to serve as college advisers within designated high schools in 16 states.
For a maximum of two years, Advise TX advisers serve students in low-performing high schools within 12 school districts in Central Texas, Houston, Dallas, El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley.
Visit the Advise TX websitefor more information or contact Cheryl Sawyer, Advise TX program director, at 512-471-6173, cheryls@austin.utexas.edu.