UNE hosts 2023 NEACAC Annual Conference

The University of New England recently hosted 600 members of the New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC), including about 100 high school guidance counselors, for the organization’s 2023 annual conference.

Founded in 1966, NEACAC is an affiliate of the National Association for College Admission Counseling and has more than 3,500 members from every state in New England. The organization’s mission is to establish and maintain high professional standards in admissions, financial aid counseling, and guidance at secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

This was the first NEACAC conference held in Maine since UNE hosted the event in 2012. 

The three-day conference offered dozens of sessions for admissions professionals, including best practices for digital marketing, changes to federal financial student aid materials, and standardized testing administration.

Katie Bernier, MBA, assistant director of Undergraduate Admissions, said the conference was a great way for attendees to network and discuss advances in higher education admissions counseling.

“NEACAC members include professionals who work in assisting students in the transition from secondary school to postsecondary study, including admissions and financial aid officers, as well as guidance counselors from secondary schools,” she said. “It was so exciting to get this group of dedicated professionals onto the UNE campus.”

The event also offered school counselors and others who advise college-going students the opportunity to see the University’s campus, remarked Molly Lichten, B.S., director of First-Year Admissions at UNE.

“By attending this conference at UNE, they now have a unique perspective — having spent a few days on campus and experiencing our classrooms, residence halls, and dining services — that they can now speak about firsthand to their interested students,” Lichten said.

Scott Steinberg, MBA, vice president of University Admissions, remarked that the conference came at an opportune time as much has changed since UNE last hosted NEACAC in 2012.

“We were delighted to host the NEACAC 2023 conference here at UNE, and we were especially pleased to welcome a number of high school guidance counselors who work with students to help them navigate the college search process,” Steinberg said, noting the many entities who came together to make the conference a success. “A special thanks to Housekeeping, Facilities, building managers, Parkhurst Dining, Conference Services, Housing, Safety and Security, and others who helped UNE provide a fantastic visit experience to our guests.”