Financial Crisis
Check out NACAC's Financial Crisis page on the economy's effects on college access and success.
Pathways to College Act Cosponsorship
NACAC members across the country are urging their federal legislators to cosponsor the Pathways to College Act by sending 15,000 messages to Capitol Hill. So far, NACAC members have sent 6,020 messages.
The NACAC Affiliate Challenge is a competition among state and regional affiliates to send the most messages based on NACAC membership. Check out your affiliate's progress in the competition to reach our goal here.
Members in Action
NACAC members advocate for students at the federal, state, and local level. Here are some examples:
- Illinois ACAC will hold its Lobby Day in Springfield on March 24. Government Relations Committee Co-Chairs Krista Cardona, Glenn Hamilton, and Bill Morrison are partnering with Iowa School Counselor Association to coordinate the event.
- Iowa ACAC members participated in Visit the Hill Day on February 24 alongside Iowa School Counselor Association members. Government Relations Chair Mark Petty led attendees to the Hill for discussions on financial and societal access issues with elected officials.
- Kentucky ACAC, led by Kim Chaffer Schroeder, and eight other organizations held their 2nd Annual Kentucky College Access Network Legislative Appreciation Breakfast. Education Committee chairs from each chamber, as well as the Commissioner of the Department of Education, attended and spoke to the advocates.
- Minnesota ACAC held its 2010 Day on the Hill on February 24. Government Relations Committee Chair Jeff Allen coordinated the event which included 44 attendees, 80 legislative visits, and addresses from the current and former chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee. View Briefing and Priorities here.
- New England ACAC Government Relations Committee, led by Jon Westover, is partnering with Massachusetts School Counselor Association and the College Board for the 2nd Annual Massachusetts School Counselor Advocacy Day in Boston on March 10. Read more.
- New York State ACAC Government Relations Chairs Susan Cohen and Michael Courtney created a program book for NYSACAC's 2010 Advocacy Day. View program book here.
- Pennsylvania ACAC is hosting a College Access Forum in Harrisburg, led by Craig Dodson and Ian Harkness. The event will combine efforts of the Government Relations and Human Relations Committees. Read more and check out the invitation.
- Rocky Mountain ACAC has achieved its Pathways to College Act Affiliate Challenge Goal! Government Relations Chair Dianne Leonard and President Cathy Nabbefeld sent one email message to two partner associations in Colorado took them from 120 to 590 messages in just one month. Read the message.
- Southern ACAC hosted Georgia Legislative Day on February 4 with nearly 50 participants and guest speakers from the University System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Education. Government Relations Committee Chair Patty Montague coordinated the event.
- Texas ACAC Government Relations Chair Heath Einstein wrote an op-ed on the Pathways to College Act to be published in the Dallas Examiner. Read the op-ed.
- Western ACAC held its Legislative Conference in Sacramento on February 3 and 4. Government Relations Chair Jeff Morrow led participants to the Hill to advocate for Cal Grant funding and CSU and UC budget restoration.
Resources
Advocacy Toolkit: provides tips for scheduling and meeting with lawmakers, materials for use during state advocacy events, and information about advocating for NACAC priorities.
NACAC Advocacy Handbook: provides information about advocacy basics, federal and state advocacy efforts, and resources for preparing advocacy materials.
NACAC Knowledge Center Advocacy page: provides materials from your colleagues to assist in your advocacy efforts.
Take Action at the Federal Level
What can I do to join in on the national effort to advance NACAC goals?
Take Action at the State Level
What can I do to advance NACAC goals at the state level?
- Respond to affiliate action alerts online. If there is legislation in your state you think NACAC should take action on, contact NACAC to set up an action alert.
- Register to vote in your state
- Make connections: View a list of NACAC's collaborative partnerships; perhaps your affiliate organization can form similar partnerships.
- Speak your mind: Contact your state legislators on your own, anytime by visiting NACAC's Legislative Action Center.