Conference Brings Together College Access Professionals
Conference Brings Together College Access Professionals
Second Annual Conference Topics Highlight Success Strategies for Today
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (Feb. 23, 2009) — The 2009 Iowa College Access & Success
Conference will bring together professionals from various service organizations, colleges
and nonprofits April 8 and 9 in Des Moines.
“These people work hard individually to help people find access to and succeed in college,”
says Juan Garcia, manager of the Iowa College Access Network®
(ICAN), which hosts the
event. “This conference is a chance for them to come together, form alliances, and find out
what works and what doesn’t.”
Dr. Eric Johnson, director of the Urban Education program at the Drake School of
Education, will present the keynote address at the event. Johnson will touch on his own
journey from disadvantaged youth to an accomplished leader and speaker and how
professionals can help all students succeed.
In addition, Jeanna Keller, program officer for Lumina Foundation for Education, will
welcome attendees with a discussion of the state of college success in America and
Lumina’s national initiatives addressing the issue. “Lumina Foundation for Education focuses on the need to prepare underserved students’
access to and success in higher education,” Keller says. “The critical work to meet this need
happens among the organizations that work directly with students. The Iowa College Access
& Success Conference brings those student organizations together to share ideas and
strategies to best serve students.”
Local community service and educational organizations will also present at the conference.
Highlights include a student panel and a gallery of best college access and success
practices compiled by attendees.
“This conference showcases some of the most important information available for college
access professionals right now,” Garcia says. “Last year’s attendees were very pleased with
the first conference; now we want to improve on that achievement and reach even more
professionals and, through them, students.”
About the Conference
The second annual Iowa College Access & Success Conference will be held April 8 and 9 at
the Des Moines Airport Holiday Inn. Registration is $25 per person. For more information
about the conference, sessions and presenters, visit www.ICANsucceed.org/Conference.
