September 24, 2009 (Arlington, VA) – To honor his efforts in introducing the Pathways to College Act and promoting increased student access to college, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) presented Senator Richard Durbin with the Excellence in Education Award at its National Conference in Baltimore.
For over 25 years, NACAC has given the Excellence in Education Award to individuals who have improved the field of education and the way students are served. The Pathways to College Act, a bill that would help hire, train and equip professionals to improve college counseling in low-income school districts, resulted from the shared vision of the nation’s college counselors and legislators to build a college-going culture in underserved high schools.
As the lead sponsor of the bill, Senator Durbin has demonstrated his commitment to providing equal opportunity for the nation’s high school students to pursue a postsecondary degree. If passed by Congress, the bill would reserve competitive grant funds for high-need school districts for the purpose of improving the college-going rates of all students. Grant funds could be used for professional development opportunities for college counselors, the distribution of informational materials on the admission process and development of a school-wide plan to inspire students to explore their postsecondary opportunities.
The mission of this bill shares a common purpose with NACAC’s guiding principles. “The Pathways to College Act will allow students from underserved high schools access to resources and academic opportunities that had previously been unavailable to them,” said NACAC Chief Executive Officer Joyce Smith. “Senator Durbin has proven to be a steadfast proponent of college access with his support of this bill.”
About NACAC
NACAC is an Arlington, VA-based education association of more than 11,000 secondary school counselors, independent counselors, college admission and financial aid officers, enrollment managers, and organizations that work with students as they make the transition from high school to postsecondary education. The association, founded in 1937, is committed to maintaining high standards that foster ethical and social responsibility among those involved in the transition process, as outlined in the NACAC Statement of Principles of Good Practice.