1,000+ Advocates, Educators Gather in Atlanta to Increase Equity in College Access and Success

ATLANTA, Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- How can Georgia and the nation help more individuals obtain a postsecondary education? More than 1,000 attendees from around the country will meet at the premiere national event focused on increasing postsecondary enrollment and graduation rates for students who are underrepresented in higher education, including students from low-income backgrounds, students of color, and those who would be the first in their family to attend college.

Equitable, a Presenting Sponsor of the conference, will address how organizations can partner to increase equity, reduce barriers, and close racial gaps in private scholarships, using its Equitable Excellence scholarship program as a case study. Now in its 20th year, Equitable's annual Equitable Excellence scholarship program creates pathways to economic opportunity through renewable college scholarships and holistic support. The scholarship program is aligned with Equitable's commitment to building stronger communities and leverages education as a tool to support social mobility and financial wellness within underserved communities.

NCAN's 27^th National Conference – "Advancing the Right to Postsecondary Attainment" – will include 75-plus plenary and breakout sessions, including remarks from Dr. Beverly Tatum, acclaimed author and higher education leader; Richard Cordray, COO of the office of Federal Student Aid; Tina Fernandez, CEO of Achieve Atlanta; and Jarian Kerekes, Head of Social Impact and Community Engagement at Equitable.

FEATURED SESSIONS

Monday, Sept. 12

• Plenary: Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring welcomes attendees along with NCAN CEO Kim Cook and NCAN Board President Nate Easley (9:30-10:15 am).
• Plenary: Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum is joined by Achieve Atlanta Executive Director Tina Fernandez for a fireside chat about racial equity and postsecondary attainment (11:30 am -12:15 pm).
• Workshop: Insights from Georgia: Examining Elements to Embed Equity in State Policy (1:30-2:30 pm)
• Dr. Dana Rickman, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education
• Saúl Valdez, ECMC Foundation
• Workshop: Lessons from the Field: Supporting Leaders of Color (2:45-3:45 pm)
• Kristen Crockett, The Crockett Collective
• Nancy Washington, NCAN
• Rob Robinson, Student Leadership Network

Tuesday, Sept. 13

• Workshop: Partnering to Increase Equity, Reduce Barriers and Close Racial Gaps in Private Scholarships (8:30-9:30 am)
• Jarian Kerekes, Head of Social Impact and Community Engagement, Equitable
• Krystle Fleetwood, CommonApp
• Arien Telles, Scholarship America
• Workshop: Federal Update from the U.S. Department of Education (9:45-10:45 am)
• Wendy Bhagat, Office of Federal Student Aid
• Dr. Ed Pacchetti, Office of Federal Student Aid
• Melanie Storey, Office of Federal Student Aid
• Plenary: Office of Federal Student Aid COO Richard Cordray discusses the many changes happening to better support students in paying for postsecondary education (11-11:45 am)
• Workshop: Beltway Buzz: Federal Policy Update from Washington (1-2 pm)
• Catherine Brown, NCAN
• Raymond AlQaisi, NCAN
• Workshop: A Counselor, Senator and Policy Analyst Walk Into a Bar: Building Coalitions to Make Real Change (2:15-3:15 pm)
• Sally Harrell, Senator, Georgia's 40th District
• Ashley Young, Drew Charter School
• Plenary: Is There a Right to Postsecondary Attainment? Three leaders address this provocative and timely question (3:30-4:30 pm).
• John Branam, Executive Director Get Schooled
• Braulio Colón, Vice President, Florida Student Success Initiatives, Helios Education Foundation
• Candy Marshall, President, TheDream.US

Wednesday, Sept. 14

• Spotlight Session: Bright Futures: Supporting Students' Mental Health (8:30-9:30 am)
• Dr. Bryan Johnson, Chiefs for Change
• Dr. Mary Elizabeth Davis, Superintendent, Henry County Schools
• Dr. Gonzalo La Cava, Chief Talent Officer, Fulton County Schools
• Dr. Avis Williams, Superintendent, NOLA Public Schools
• Spotlight Session: Listen up! How to Center Student Voice in Policymaking (8:30-9:30 am)
• Lexi West, Pew Charitable Trusts
• Sophie Nguyen, New America
• Shelbe Klebs, Third Way
• Spotlight Session: Keepin' It Real - Perspectives, Insights and Frank Talk with Black Male Executives (8:30-9:30 am)
• John Branam, Executive Director Get Schooled
• Nate Easley, NCAN Board President
• Gary Linnen, CEO, PeerForward
• D'Artagnan Caliman, Director- Justice Oregon for Black Lives, Meyer Memorial Trust
• Plenary: Open Campus Media Higher Education Reporter Naomi Harris moderates a conversation about what will it take for today's students to get the financial support they need to persist in college. (9:45-10:45 am)
• Morgan Forbes of Achieve Atlanta and a junior at Spelman College
• Kaila Pouncy of Alabama Possible and a senior at The University of Alabama
• Zenani Johnson of the Florida College Access Network and a graduate student at the University of West Florida

FULL SCHEDULE: Please consult the full schedule for all topics, times, and room locations.

About Equitable
Equitable, a principal franchise of Equitable Holdings, Inc., has been one of America's leading financial services providers since 1859. With the mission to help clients secure their financial well-being, Equitable provides advice, protection and retirement strategies to individuals, families and small businesses. Equitable has more than 8,000 employees and Equitable Advisors financial professionals and serves 2.8 million clients across the country. Please visit equitable.com for more information.

Reference to the 1859 founding refers specifically and exclusively to Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial) (NY, NY). Please visit equitable.com for more information. Equitable is the brand name of the retirement and protection subsidiaries of Equitable Holdings, Inc., including Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company, Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America (Equitable America), an AZ stock company with main administrative headquarters in Jersey City, NJ, and Equitable Distributors, LLC. Equitable Advisors is the brand name of Equitable Advisors, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC) (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI and TN). GE-4772888.1(06/22)(exp.06/24)

About the National College Attainment Network
NCAN's mission is to build, strengthen, and empower education communities and stakeholders to close equity gaps in postsecondary attainment for all students.

NCAN thanks these additional conference sponsors: Ascendium Education Group, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, CoPilot, ECMC Foundation, Helios Education Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Travelers, UBS, Trellis Foundation, Greater Texas Foundation, and rootEd Alliance.

CONTACT:

Elizabeth Morgan (NCAN)
202-347-4848 x211
[email protected]

Monique Freeman (Equitable)
(212) 314-2010
[email protected]        

SOURCE National College Attainment Network