Whew — what a fantastic conference week we had! It was truly rewarding to see all our hard work and planning come to life as we Bridged Together at Indian Hills Community College.
While conference planning can sometimes feel like a heavy lift, I’m here to tell you — the site visits, Zoom calls, and outreach to the higher ed community were SO worth it. As this year’s Conference Planning Chair, here are a few of my favorite takeaways:
1. Connection
Meeting new admission professionals and high school counselors is a must — our connections help us better serve college-shopping students with referrals and resources. And the joy of re-connecting with colleagues across the state? Unmatched. (Looking at you, Kirkwood admission staff!) These yearly reunions are something I cherish — find your people and make it a tradition!
2. New Insights
Several sessions brought fresh perspectives on the challenges and barriers we face in recruitment. I appreciated the chance to pause, reflect, and explore how we can pivot strategies when things need a shift.
3. Find Joy
Yes, the after-hours fun and socializing were great — but one of the best reminders came during Tom’s Travel Hacks session: you can’t pour from an empty cup. Whether it’s travel, meditation, or meetups on the college fair circuit, prioritizing your own joy makes you better at what you do.
4. Expand Your Circle
Every new connection is a new resource we can share with our students. Broadening our professional network ultimately opens doors for the students we serve. A great way to expand is to get involved in Iowa ACAC!
5. Give Back
We put our values into action by raising funds for the Freddy Miranda Access Scholarship. This program directly supports the students we recruit across Iowa — and your donations make a real difference in their educational journeys.
As we close the books on this year's incredible Iowa ACAC conference, I’d like to personally invite you to join us next year for the MIDWest Conference in Madison, Wisconsin May 17-19! Every other year, Iowa partners with our colleagues in the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to host a five-state event that’s sure to expand your professional toolkit and network.