Tuesday, November 12, 2024 ~ 9 AM - 4 PM ~ Tulane University
Lavin-Bernick Center, 2nd Floor (map)
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Schedule of the Day
9:00 – 9:30 Check-in/Breakfast
9:35 – 10:20 Welcome & Plenary
10:35 – 11:25 Breakout 1
11:35 – 12:25 Lunch
12:35 – 1:25 Breakout 2
1:40 – 2:30 Breakout 3
2:45 – 2:55 Closing
2:55 – 4:00 Happy Hour, Table Browse, & Headshots (first come, first serve)
Keynote Address - Dr. Kim Hunter Reed
Breakout 1
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Panelists:
Tatiana Begault, Education Reform Now
Michelle Aguirre, La Voz
Eric T. Jones, AT&T
Audience: Postsecondary practitioners
Description: This panel discussion will delve into the important of integrative learning as a transformative approach to education and career readiness. Integrative learning fosters the connection between academic theory and real-world application, preparing students to succeed in an evolving job market by riding the gap between knowledge and practical skills. By combining academic experiences with industry partnerships, internships, and project-based learning, students can develop critical skills that directly enhance employability and career adaptability.
Slide Deck - This session’s panel did not use a slide deck.
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Presenters:
Susan Becker, NOLA-PS
Amelia Bell, NOLA-PS
Justin McCorkle, The Synergy Network, LLC
Audience: High School Practitioners
Description: According to our data, too many students are (a) dropping out of high school, (b) graduating high school but without an economically meaningful credential, or (c) beginning college but dropping out before they earn a degree. We want to improve these outcomes by making it easier for families and schools to find high-quality programs that support students for life after high school. We did this through the creation of a website and mobile app called the “College and Career Success Hub.” This session will educate counselors from New Orleans Public Schools and beyond on how to leverage this tool to increase student outcomes.
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Presenter: Dr. Tristan Denley, La. Board of Regents
Audience: High School Practitioners
Description: This interactive breakout about Louisiana Dual Enrollment (DE) will provide an update on the work of Louisiana’s DE Task Force to equitably expand access to students across the state. Join this session to distinguish CTE and academic dual enrollment and how this translates (or not) to postsecondary credit and pathways. You will additionally learn more about new state accountability standards as they pertain to dual enrollment and the implications on each School Performance Score (SPS).
Breakout 2
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Presenter: Dr. Erin Wheeler, Holistic Higher Education Solutions
Audience: All attendees
Description: In the Greater New Orleans area, many first-generation students face challenges in accessing and navigating college. Traditional programs like advising and financial aid often overlook the social and cultural capital these students already possess. This session advocates for an asset-based approach, empowering first-gen students by building on their strengths. We will explore strategies to enhance their networks, cultural competence, and understanding of higher education. Attendees will learn actionable insights to create programs that honor students' inherent strengths, helping them thrive in college and beyond, while addressing broader social and cultural barriers.
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Panelists:
Ebony Holmes, LOSFA
Kyleigh Quiroga, LOSFA
Kelly Steed-Merricks, LOSFA
Audience: All attendees
Description: As the first state to implement a Universal FAFSA® Policy, Louisiana is widely viewed as a leader in this field and as subject matter experts. Despite leading national FAFSA® completion rates since the inception of the policy with the graduating class of 2018, the policy was repealed in 2024 effective for the class of 2025. This session will explore the historical context of the FAFSA® culture in Louisiana, while providing best practices and strategies for continued support to students and families in light of the repeal. Panelists will also share insights on the importance of the FAFSA® in securing financial aid, avoiding common pitfalls with the Better FAFSA®, and what the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) has planned for this upcoming FAFSA® cycle.
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Presenters:
Karaline Zeigler, College Beyond
Carolyn Le, College Beyond
Destiny Brown, College Beyond
Audience: Non-profit & Postsecondary Practitioners
Description: College Beyond is a New Orleans based non-profit whose mission is to help Pell-eligible students from Southeast Louisiana enroll and succeed in college. In this presentation, the College Beyond team will share their research-informed Annual Student Survey and discuss the rationale around student and programmatic information collected. We will review our data collection, analysis and follow up methods and provide an overview and examples of the wrap-around supports we utilize to respond to student needs. We will highlight impactful community partnerships as well as limitations and areas for growth in our approach. Our session will close with an interactive opportunity to reflect on your data collection and response practices and engage in collective learning.
Breakout 3
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Presenter: R. Danielle Barringer-Payton, Invest in Louisiana
Audience: All attendees
Description: This breakout session will cover advocacy in today's political climate. Experience has shown us that making a personal connection with elected officials through storytelling can positively impact advocacy efforts. Additionally, how can you get involved in policy issues that directly affect you and your student populations? What about the FAFSA? We'll talk about advocacy efforts and tie it directly into education advocacy with information on recent legislation and how to make sure your voice and opinion are heard.
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Panelist: Rebecca Ancira, LCCA
Audience: High School Practitioners
Description: The mission of the Louisiana Center for College Access (an initiative of Tulane University) is to provide free college access resources to all Louisiana high school students interested in post-secondary education, regardless which college they plan to attend. The LCCA supports Louisiana high school students, their families, and their high school counselors in all aspects of the college search and application process. Learn more about the resources available and how those services can support your students and the work you do.
Table Browse
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Description: Autosmart Detailing Vocational Institute post-secondary education in the Auto Detailing industry. Our mission is to provide young adults 18 -24 with a career or entrepreneurial pathway in the auto detailing industry. ADVI Training Certification Program will equip the student with the hands-on skills and course materials needed to advance in the auto detailing industry.
Website: www.autosmartdetailingvocational.org
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Description: College Beyond, founded in 2015 by Cohen College Prep educators, supports Southeastern Louisiana students to and through college, particularly those from underserved backgrounds. The organization emerged after Cohen College Prep’s first graduating class achieved a 100% college acceptance rate. Yet, as students transitioned to college, many struggled with retention. Today, College Beyond addresses these challenges by fostering higher persistence rates. For example, their freshman-to-sophomore retention rate has risen to 79%, compared to a statewide average of 73% and 61% at UNO. This accomplishment not only closes the retention gap for Pell-eligible students but surpasses state and local benchmarks.
Website: https://www.collegebeyond.org/
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Description: Born of the need to reduce racial disparities and fill critical talent gaps in the local workforce, the Career Immersion & Leadership Institute (CILI) seeks to:
Reduce unemployment and underemployment of college educated students in the local workforce.
Create, find, and strengthen pathways for college students of color to access employment opportunities and competitive wages.
Connect BIPOC students to paid career development opportunities, supporting personal and professional growth as they transition from academic to adult life.
Website: https://internshiptalent.org
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Description: Early Childhood Teacher corps offers an AmeriCorps program that provides training for individuals aged 17-99 to become lead teachers in early childhood education. Participants receive mentorship and guidance throughout the program through CDA training as well as guided support from an exemplar lead teacher, which is designed to prepare them for teaching roles in local childcare centers. The program primarily serves people looking to transition careers, as well as recent high school graduates seeking to begin a career in education. Notably, the program has successfully graduated 11 members, with 9 securing teaching positions in early childcare centers across Orleans Parish—a success the organization aims to replicate in the future.
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Description: The Louisiana Center for College Access launched in February 2021 with a mission to provide free college access resources to all Louisiana high school students interested in post-secondary education. The LCCA, in partnership with Advantage Testing, provides free ACT and SAT test prep classes. Additionally, we provide college bus tours and virtual and in-person sessions on a variety of topics ranging from writing an engaging college essay, to securing scholarships and financial aid.
Website: https://admission.tulane.edu/lcca
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Description: Next Level NOLA is a college and career bridge program designed for New Orleans Public High School graduates. Through NLN they can take courses, for free, through Southern New Hampshire University, we have had several students earn an AA in our one-year program. They are also able to take our career academy and earn industry certificates and credentials. All scholars will take courses in financial literacy and have 1-on-1 mentorship.
Website: https://www.nextlevelnola.org/
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Description: SACAC’s Free Access Membership welcomes public high school and community based organization college access counselors and staff in the SACAC region to join at no cost. Any staff member supporting students and families with post-secondary college planning at a public high school that provides free education through public funds as well as professionals who work for a non-profit organization 501(c)(3) that serves students and promotes or provides access to higher education qualify for complimentary Free Access Membership. As of May 2023, SACAC serves over 650 Free Access Members.
SACAC members benefit from professional networking and development, annual conferences, workshops and seminars, our mentorship program, the Info Hub, blog, and legislative information. As a member you’ll be able to apply for grants that make training affordable for even the smallest schools. It’s all a part of your SACAC membership.
Website: https://www.sacac.org/
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Description: Up2Us provides Trained Coaches to work with young people to promote Youth Development and Community Building (in underserved communities) through sports. Our program is an AmeriCorps program that works with young people in various sports based organizations and students (Grades 3-8) in Public Schools in the New Orleans area.
Website: Up2Ussports.org