“One of the best things I’ve been exposed to was the new format for the SpringBoard curriculum that’s being rolled out in June of this year for 2010. It seems like they listened to a lot of the teachers’ concerns about prior materials. I’m really impressed with the changes they’ve made. With the new developments and designs, it appears it can be a totally comprehensive curriculum.”
“Ways that get schools and colleges to work together. There have been a couple of presentations that looked at making access more equitable across every kind of university. That idea of getting everyone on the same page to work together for access issues 
“Facts about financial aid and the special provisions for students who are homeless; special conditions for students who maybe do not have the cooperation of parents who are giving them the materials they need to file FAFSA; what schools are deducting, how they’re allowing for people who have been laid off from their jobs, or parents taking care of parents and also trying to send students to schools.” 
“Our students are questioning if there’s going to be financial aid when they go to college because their parents lost their jobs. [The presenters] are telling us that if things change, to make sure we tell the students that it’s okay. [We should] really keep the college and university aware of what’s going on so they can change the actual financial aid package.”
“The high school profile session was excellent. They actually had college admissions people there reviewing different profiles, different transcripts — telling us what was good about them, what they liked what they didn’t like it. I can bring that back and take a look at my profile and maybe add something based on the session.” Hope and Learning in Chicago
Nickie Roberson, associate provost for enrollment
management at Bradley University and chair of the
Midwestern Regional Assembly
In a city that’s seen its share of historical moments recently, perhaps the most surprising thing about the Midwestern Regional Forum held Feb. 8-10 in Chicago was the weather. The 50-60 degree temperatures buoyed the mood of an already optimistic crowd of educators eager to share information and ideas with colleagues in teaching, guidance, admissions and financial aid.
Mabel Freeman, assistant vice president for undergraduate admissions and first year experience at The Ohio State University and College Board Trustee
Breakout sessions covered the educational gamut, from admissions and financial aid trends to the latest efforts in advocacy, technology and access. A new format for the joint assembly meetings provided a lively forum for a discussion on the effects of the economic slowdown and other issues. Following an interesting and informative panel discussion on the work and accomplishments of the College Board’s Commission on Access, Admissions and Success in Higher Education and the Task Force on Admissions in the 21st Century, Pamela Horne formally passed the gavel and chairmanship to
Nickie Roberson.
The regional forum was punctuated by a no-holds-barred look at the state of American culture from Juan Williams, a leading news and political analyst. His keynote address served as an inspiring wake-up call to all educators: While there is much that has been accomplished, there is still much more left to do. Armed with greater knowledge and new perspectives, forum attendees left ready to face their challenges and emboldened to do their part in giving every student the chance to find educational success.
