Last week in Anaheim (CA), the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) held our largest ever National Conference. Our premiere annual event brought together over 1,500 practitioners, leaders, and advocates for four days of programming,
learning, networking, and fun. From September 16-18, attendees engaged in numerous thought-provoking sessions, networking opportunities, and roundtable discussions, all aimed at addressing the challenges and opportunities within our field. Below,
we break down this year’s highlights and events.
Sunday, September 15
NCAN staff arrived in California on Sunday for conference set-up and orientation. We were joined by attendees of our pre-conference event “Navigating College Attainment with Neurodiverse Students – From Transition to Transformation.” At this session,
experts from Beacon College provided a conceptual framework and practical strategies for supporting neurodiverse students on their journey to and through college. The session’s
goal addressed the significant gap between diagnosed neurodiverse students who make up 12% of the nation’s K-12 population but account for less than 4% of college students.
Monday, September 16
The conference *officially* kicked off with an inspiring opening plenary session, featuring remarks from NCAN CEO Kim Cook and now-former NCAN Board President Steve Colón, who announced he was stepping down after nine years of service. In his remarks, Colón encouraged “brave hearts to the front” after a challenging year filled with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) issues
and fallout from the end of race-conscious admissions, among other things. Plenary attendees also heard from Carlos Ojeda Jr., President and CEO of CoolSpeak, a renowned speaker and advocate for
educational equity. His emotional presentation set the tone for the conference by encouraging attendees to “fight forward,” emphasizing the importance of resilience and leadership in the ongoing fight to improve educational outcomes for underserved
communities.
Following the keynote, the day continued with several breakout sessions focusing on a variety of topics, such as:
Beltway Buzz: NCAN staff discussed student debt cancellation, the Better FAFSA rollout, increasing funding for Pell Grants, and much more in this policy-focused session.
Effective Student Coaching – More Important than Ever in a Post-Affirmative Action World: Experts discussed the impact on students and college admissions practices of the Supreme Court’s decision to end race-conscious admissions,
also known as affirmative action.
How the Nation’s Fourth-Largest District Reimagined Postsecondary Advising: Experts from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) discussed how CPS used data and an equity lens to reimagine the district’s approach to college access, career preparation,
and alumni support.
At lunchtime, NCAN presented longtime member PeerForward with our 2024 Member of the Year Award in recognition of fulfilling NCAN’s mission of building, strengthening, and empowering communities
and stakeholders to close equity gaps in postsecondary attainment for all students. Gary Linnen, PeerForward’s CEO, accepted the award on behalf of his
organization.
Immediately following lunch, NCAN CEO Kim Cook joined experts from the Office of Federal Student Aid Linnea Hengst,
Jeremy Singer, and Melanie Storey for the afternoon plenary session titled “The Future of FAFSA.” Panelists discussed the state of the FAFSA and what the field can expect in the next financial aid award year cycle. During the session, Singer praised the contributions of NCAN and our
members throughout the challenges with the FAFSA over the past few years. “NCAN and their members have their ears to the ground, and NCAN does a wonderful job of surfacing what they hear and making it real,” said Singer. “The feedback you provide
is critical”
The first day also featured our Annual Membership Meeting and a first-time conference attendee session, allowing participants to connect with peers and learn about what NCAN’s work as of late.
Day one wrapped up on a fun note with our opening reception, which featured both a live DJ and a mariachi band in honor of Mexican Independence Day!
Tuesday, September 17
Day two began early with a mix of wellness and networking events. NCAN Senior Director Catherine Brown led a wellness run, while DreamCatcher Curriculum facilitated a guided meditation
session. Meanwhile, a buffet breakfast and identity-conscious networking sessions allowed participants to connect with fellow attendees.
Daisy Gonzales, Executive Director at the California Student Aid Commission
Christopher Nellum, Executive Director at The Education Trust – West
Randal Tillery, Director, Postsecondary Pathways and Career Mobility at WestEd, and
Jessie Ryan, President of the Campaign for College Opportunity
Panelists discussed California’s bold initiatives to achieve postsecondary equity and put college within reach for all residents. Discussion focused on the state’s multifaceted approach to making college affordable and addressing disparities in higher
education.
Other Tuesday sessions included:
Strategies for Tackling College Student Food Insecurity: Experts discussed how to close the college hunger gap on all levels using SNAP, also known as food stamps.
The Power of Partnership – Building a Postsecondary Access to Success Advising System: This session emphasized the use of data analytics to track student progress, identify at-risk students, and inform interventions.
The College Comeback – Strategies to Get Students Back on the Postsecondary Path: This session focused on three organizations that are reengaging students who have stopped out of college and how to effectively support returning students.
Lunch was followed by our classic Lightning Talks, which this year featured speakers Marquise Dixon, CEO of Degrees of Change, Chandra Scott, Executive Director of Alabama Possible, and Irene Quevedo, CEO of Operation Jump Start. These three leaders delivered powerful,
motivational talks on prioritizing the representation and belonging for students of color in higher education.
The afternoon was dedicated to additional sessions where attendees could delve deeper into specific topics, such as:
Financial Aid Offers – Best Practices to Delivering Transparency and Clarity for Students: Practical tools and resources for helping students and their families understand financial aid, budgeting, and student loans.
Standard of Support for Students with Learning Differences: Best practices for creating inclusive environments and providing accommodations in both K-12 and postsecondary settings.
Wednesday, September 18
The final day of #NCAN2024 began with three spotlight sessions focused on diverse topics: defending diversity in higher education, making the economic case that college is worth the price, and redefining career and equity pathways.
At the closing plenary, moderator Jarian Kerekes, President
of the Equitable Foundation, was joined by students Yvette Hernandez, a UC Berkley alumna, Stalia Cerezo Perez, a UC Davis alumna, and Joshua Campos Velasquez, senior at the University of Southern California. The discussion focused on the benefits
of expanding student supports and a key theme highlighted by all three students was how critical the support of college access organizations was to instilling confidence and providing guidance.
NCAN closed out this year’s event with “Data as a Roadmap to Access and Attainment,” a post-conference session that demonstrated how to use data from the National Student Clearinghouse StudentTracker platform, FAFSA completion data, and student feedback surveys to effectively advise students on their postsecondary pathways.
NCAN would like to thank all our members, conference attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, staff, and vendors for making this year’s event a success! We know that many of you traveled far to participate, and we are grateful for your efforts. We’ll see you
next year, September 8-10, for our 30th Anniversary 2025 National Conference in New Orleans, LA!
Want to relive #NCAN2024? Check out the photos and videos here or watch the video below.
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