PACAC Pacer Spring 2013 : Page 1

The Pacer Spring 2013 | Issue 149 My PACAC Story What’s Inside Pittsburgh National College Fair Julie Sitko, West Allegheny High School On February 6th and 7th, over 300 college representatives descended upon the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh for the NACAC Pittsburgh National College Fair. This year, representatives from 289 two-and four-year colleges and universities shared information with 11,300 high school students and their parents. The Pittsburgh National College Fair is unique in that it runs during two weekdays and one evening. Students from 92 different high schools visited the fair, in part because both local schools and schools from up to two hours away bus their students to the fair. It is an opportunity for local students to be exposed to colleges and universities from around the globe. In addition to a chance for the students to talk with college admissions representatives and learn about the various schools at the fair, participants can attend several educational workshops. Session topics included writing the college essay, financial aid, and the college search and selection process. A new session was also offered by Dr. Adam Earnheardt, Chair of the Department of Communications at Youngstown State University, to help high school students understand the pros and cons by utilizing social media in the college selection process. Pittsburgh National College Fair . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2012-2013 Leadership & Committee . . . . . . . 2 A Letter From the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 PACAC Reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1982 Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Group Visits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Membership Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 My PACAC Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 R .each Y .our F .ull P .otential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Prospective Student . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 PACAC Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Community Colleges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Pacer Postings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 PACAC Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 (Bottom L-R) Heather Lubay, Julie Sitko, Nicole Levis (Top L-R) Cory Zahradnik, Stephanie Moore (NACAC National College Fairs Event Manager), Caitlin Bauer, Ashley Bartko, Justin Mohney, Todd Pilipovich (Missing) David Pearlman and Nick Talotta The Pittsburgh National hosts a Resource Center providing participants with access to school counselors who can help the students with basic college searches, information about NCAA compliance and financial aid officers who are there to help with general information and questions. Continued on page 3 Spring 2013 | Issue 149 www.PACAC.org A

Pittsburgh National College Fair

Julie Sitko

On February 6th and 7th, over 300 college representatives descended upon the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh for the NACAC Pittsburgh National College Fair. This year, representatives from 289 two- and four-year colleges and universities shared information with 11,300 high school students and their parents. The Pittsburgh National College Fair is unique in that it runs during two weekdays and one evening. Students from 92 different high schools visited the fair, in part because both local schools and schools from up to two hours away bus their students to the fair. It is an opportunity for local students to be exposed to colleges and universities from around the globe. In addition to a chance for the students to talk with college admissions representatives and learn about the various schools at the fair, participants can attend several educational workshops. Session topics included writing the college essay, financial aid, and the college search and selection process. A new session was also offered by Dr. Adam Earnheardt, Chair of the Department of Communications at Youngstown State University, to help high school students understand the pros and cons by utilizing social media in the college selection process. The Pittsburgh National hosts a Resource Center providing participants with access to school counselors who can help the students with basic college searches, information about NCAA compliance and financial aid officers who are there to help with general information and questions. New to the Resource Center this year was a Transfer Center for students who are already in college. “This year the committee focused on reaching out to adult learners. With the growing population of both traditional and non-traditional students entering community colleges, a decision to offer a resource area staffed with transfer counselors for current and future community college students was successful and beneficial,” said Todd Pilipovich, co-chair of the Local Arrangements Committee for the fair. The local committee is already looking forward to and preparing for next year’s fair. Serving on the committee this year were, Co-chairs: Todd Pilipovich, Youngstown State University and Cory Zahradnik, Washington and Jefferson College; Committee Members: Ashley Bartko, Chatham University; Caitlin Bauer, Slippery Rock University; Nicole Levis, Avonworth High School; Heather Lubay, Point Park University; Justin Mohney, Carnegie Mellon University; David Pearlman, Penn State University; Julie Sitko, West Allegheny High School; Nick Talotta, Pittsburgh Technical Institute.

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