Sharing Leadership Lessons at the NYSACAC Conference
Student Leadership Network had a lot to celebrate at the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling (NYSACAC) Conference at Molloy University. In addition to investing in professional development for our program staff across the network, the conference was an opportunity for several team members to share their expertise with their peers. We are so proud of the thoughtful presentations and knowledge shared by our directors of college counseling and college access managers to advance educational access for all. At the end of the conference, NYSACAC honored Rob Robinson, our Senior Managing Director of CollegeBound Initiative, with its Distinguished Service Award to recognize a staff member of a community based organization who has demonstrated consistent leadership and service to the profession!
Sharing College Guidance Expertise at NYSACAC
The Ideal Calendar for Post-Secondary Success
Presented by Maria J. Lascarro, a Director of College Counseling from Buffalo, and Lizabeth Diaz, Senior Manager of College Access based in NYC
People Need People: It Takes a Village
Presented by our directors of college counseling from Student Leadership Network’s NYC team: Magdelyn Gomez, Angela Ellis, Petronila Rodriguez, and Jeffrey Petway; with their frequent collaborator Stephen Pintauro from iMentor.
From Values to Viable Candidates: A Counselor’s Roadmap
Strategies for reframing value capture in college admissions, presented by Ciara Diaz, Director of College Counseling, and Alex Hitch, Associate Director of CollegeBound Initiative
Recognition of Impact: The Distinguished Service Award
The conference ended with a celebratory moment with NYSACAC awarding its Distinguished Service Award: Community Based Organization (CBO) to Rob Robinson. The award recognizes an individual employed at a CBO for their exceptional service to the profession. Nearly three decades of Rob’s career have been dedicated to college access for students from under-resourced communities. He also generously shares his mentorship with others in the profession and his expertise with educators and policymakers nationwide. He was recently elected as the incoming Vice President for Professional Development at NYSACAC.
Upon hearing news of Rob’s award, Jon Roure, our Chief Innovation Officer and EVP – and the recipient of the same award in the prior year – wrote these words about Rob that were shared at the ceremony:
“Despite their humble beginnings, his family’s strength and determination, exemplified by their mother, shone through. His charismatic personality, leadership, wrestling prowess, and academic potential earned him admission to New York University through the Higher Education Opportunity Program. His journey there yielded a BA, MA, and a role in the Office of Admissions, where he crystallized his purpose and passion for giving back to his community. It became his personal mission to ensure that students of color from disadvantaged backgrounds had the same opportunities as their more affluent counterparts. Little did we know that this Computer Science major would soon become a social justice warrior addressing inequities in higher education access.
After having a great impact on students and school communities, he grew into leadership roles and now leads nearly 50 professionals across three cities as the Senior Managing Director. He represents what is right in this world and leads with passion and purpose. Congratulations, Rob, from your big bro Jon Roure and the entire Student Leadership Network.”
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The Northwestern University student shares how CBI supported his path toward finding the best-fit college and scholarship opportunities.
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