Advocacy Leadership Credential Program

The Advocacy Leadership Credential is an opportunity to learn how to advocate in Harrisburg or DC and with your local state and federal legislators on issues central to secondary and postsecondary education.  Through a 4-part training series, PACAC, PASFAA, and PSCA members are given the opportunity to engage with lobbyists and legislative experts and learn how to utilize our elected officials around key education policies and legislation.  Participants will receive a resume-builder, certificate of completion, and recognition at the respective conferences.


To obtain your credential, you must participate in at least three
of the following training events and conduct a Capstone Visit at a local legislative office, in Harrisburg and/or DC (whatever if you prefer).

Session 1 - What is Advocacy?
Speaker: David Hawkins

December 7, 2022 @ 3pm

Session 2 - Contemporary Issues in Higher Education 
Speaker: Erin Mehta

January 11, 2023 @ 3pm

Session 3 - Contemporary Issues at the Secondary Education Level
Speaker: Jennifer Kirk

February 8, 2023 @ 3pm

Session 4 - Conducting a Legislative Visit
Speakers: Dr. Amber Moore & Chris Horne
 
March 8, 2023 @ 3pm


Registration for the ALC - Click here!


Capstone Visit:

Select an education issue that is relevant to you in your work or an area that you are passionate about.  Appropriate topics include (but are not limited to) high school counseling and academic rigor, college affordability, financial literacy, adequate funding for education, etc.  You are limited by your imagination.  Present the research and information and ask the legislator to support efforts to get policy and legislation introduced to combat these issues for our students.  If you are able, have a student attend the visit with you or share a compelling story from one of your students.

Complete the Capstone visit by May 31, 2023.  Take a picture with the legislator and/or their staff and then promote it on the PACAC Facebook (Government Relations (PACAC) or Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling), PASFAA Facebook (PASFAA (Pennsylvania Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)) or Twitter page (@PACAC1954) to receive completion credit for your credential. *You may also email the photo to a member of the GRC if you do not participate in social media.

 


Anyone may participate in these webinars, but only members of PACAC, PASFAA or PSCA are eligible for the Advocacy Leadership Credential.  If you are not a member, but would like to join PACAC, contact Andrea Cassell Bretz at [email protected].

Questions about the ALC program should be directed to David DeBor at [email protected] or Erin Mehta at [email protected].