2017 College Changes Everything Conference
Tinley Park Convention Center
Tinley Park, Illinois
July 21, 2017
8 am – 4:30 pm
2017 Conference Photos and Captions
CCE 2017: Equity in College and Career Readiness Initiatives – Ensuring That All Students Are Equipped for Success
As we consider the various student populations that will help our state achieve Goal 2025, it's essential we recognize the different needs and requirements some populations have, as well as the obstacles and barriers they face. We must review policies, practices, and systems to ensure they include a pro-equity perspective and address the root causes of any inequities. In addition, we need to look at how we can reduce or eliminate opportunity gaps to improve outcomes for underrepresented students – including, but not limited to, low-income students, first-generation students, minority students, students with special needs, working adults, and laid-off adults – and how we can engage all students in ways that are inclusive, culturally responsive, and socially just. This year's conference provides the occasion to further examine our shared responsibility to ensure that we integrate and implement pro-equity practices in how we deliver the myriad of college access and success and career readiness efforts assisting students in our state. Our success as a state depends upon all students having the opportunities to reach their fullest potential.
Morning Keynote Speaker
Dr. Kyle A. Reyes, Special Assistant to the President for Inclusion at Utah Valley University (UVU), will deliver keynote remarks and share his experience and work in supporting success for all students. In his current role as UVU’s Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Reyes leads UVU’s Strategic Inclusion plan comprised of nearly 40 initiatives focused on making UVU a more inclusive and equitable campus. Dr. Reyes is also an Assistant Professor of Education at UVU and teaches courses in Multicultural Education, ESL Methods and Family & Community Partnerships. His research focuses on conditions for underrepresented student success throughout P-20 educational institutions. He is in his 15th year at UVU and has spent the majority of his career in programs and services for underserved students. Dr. Reyes will deliver remarks regarding developing the lenses to champion all students, as well as a breakout session on effective collaboration for equity – family and community partner.
Agenda and Conference Session Presentations
Conference agenda information and presentations from interest sessions are found below. Breakout sessions were presented by state and national leaders and provided purposeful information and engage the audience in the critical issues we face, such as: student support services, retention, remediation, college readiness, career development, after school programs, support systems for undocumented students, students with disabilities, nontraditional students, and more.
Check website later as additional interest session presentations and materials are continuing to be added.
General Session Presentations
- Developing the Lenses to Champion All Students
- College Changes Everything – Continuing the Conversation...the Importance and Impact of Attendance
Interest Sessions
- Session 1A: Effective Collaboration for Equity: Family and Community Partnerships
- Session 1B: The State of School Counseling: Revisiting the Paths Forward
- Session 1C: Understanding the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act and Updates on its Implementation
- Session 1D: Workforce Outcomes and Career Information
- Session 1E: Cohort Success: From Start to Finish
- Session 1F: College and Career Readiness – More than a Score
- Session 1G: Back to School: Improving School Attendance Beyond "Back to School Promotion"
- Session 1H: Transfer Policy and Debt: The Relationship Between Advising, Transfer Policies and Student Debt
- Session 1I: Planning and Implementing Successful Career Programming: Tools for Nonprofits
- Session 1J: Equity and Access for College Students with Disabilities: Strategic Planning, Transitions and Legal Compliance
- Session 2A: Motivational Interviewing to Improve Retention and Success
- Session 2B: Undocumented Immigrant Students: Understanding Who They Are and Creating Safe Spaces for Self-Advocacy
- Session 2C: Career Readiness: Using Local Workforce Data for Course Development
- Session 2D: Postsecondary Awareness for Middle School Students – Two Approaches
- Session 2E: What Matters Most in the Journey to College Success for First Generation College Students?
- Session 2F: The Workforce Education Strategic Plan of the Illinois Community College Board
- Session 2G: Building Your Academic, Financial, and Social Support System in College while Unlocking the Hidden Rules to Success
- Session 2H: Career Foundations-Navigating Bridge Programs & Career Pathways
- Session 2I: Universal Postsecondary Plan for High School Students
- Session 2J: Connecting Low-Income College Students with Public Benefits
- Session 3A: Birth to Third Grade Is College and Career Readiness
- Session 3B: College and Career Readiness Advocacy with the Every Student Succeeds Act
- Session 3C: Preparing Youth from Foster Care for College Success
- Session 3D: Every Student On PaCE to Thrive
- Session 3E: Youth Work Readiness Assessments and Tools
- Session 3F: Crafting Effective Narratives from School Data
- Session 3H: How to Stop Talking about it and Just Do it: A Collaborative Approach to Sequencing Career Pathways
- Session 3I: Transfer Initiatives in Illinois
- Session 3J: Professional Judgment & Verification
- Session 4B: Super Strategies for Supporting Special Populations!
- Session 4C: Case Study of Industry/Government/ Academe Collaboration Connecting K-12 Education to a Pathway for In-demand, High Wage Computer Occupations
- Session 4D: Improving College and Career Outcomes for First-generation Students
- Session 4E: Universidad para Padres: Developing Latino Parents towards Student Academic Success
- Session 4F: Civic Leadership Education: Programs, Pedagogy, and Training for Violence Prevention and School and Work Readiness
- Session 4H: Isolating Factors and Microaggressions That Have Helped Disadvantaged Students Succeed in College: Is it a Matter of Belonging
- Session 4I: What Is the State Seal of Biliteracy and How Does it Award Credit for College?
- Session 4J: Using Gamification (Digital Badges) to Structure Financial Education Across a University System
Who Attends
One of the strengths of this conference is that it brings together a diverse audience from across the state for a day of dialogue and sharing information, ideas, and best practices that promote access to postsecondary education, ensure degree or credential attainment, and provide career pathways. The conference also serves as an opportunity for stakeholders to improve their practice of collaboration and collective leadership as we work toward the state’s goal. Attendees typically include, but are not limited to:
- high school leaders, counselors, and case managers
- college access practitioners
- college and university leaders and administrators
- leaders from state agencies, non-profits, foundations, and community-based organizations focused on educational opportunity and attainment and career pathways
- business leaders
- policymakers and elected officials interested in higher education and workforce development
The conference also serves as an opportunity for participants to renew existing relationships and develop new ones while improving collective leadership as we work toward Goal 2025.
Questions about the conference can be directed to: isac.collegechangeseverything@isac.illinois.gov
Tinley Park Convention Center
The Tinley Park Convention Center is located just 30 miles from downtown Chicago at 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park, IL 60477.
2017 College Changes Everything Planning Committee
- Illinois Student Assistance Commission
- Illinois Board of Higher Education
- Illinois Community College Board
- Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
- Illinois State Board of Education
- Illinois College Access Network
- Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities
- Advance Illinois
- Center for the Study of Education Policy at Illinois State University
- Council for Adult and Experiential Learning
- Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University
- Generations Serving Generations
- ACT Now
- Women Employed