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ENGAGE - CONNECT - ADVANCE - LEAD
McBEE IHE GRADUATE NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2022
Libby Morris with GCAC advisers during Homecoming 2019.
Dear graduates and friends,
With mixed emotions, I share my plans to step down as the director at the end of this fiscal year. As you know, the McBee Institute is a great place to study, conduct research, and serve, and I am privileged to work alongside amazing faculty, staff, and students.
When we celebrated our naming for Dr. McBee in November, I stood in awe of our collective accomplishments, and I knew it was time to turn the page on a new chapter. With your support and contributions, the McBee Institute will continue to excel.
With gratitude,
Libby
Director, Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education
Zell B. Miller Distinguished Professor of Higher Education
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WHY WE ADVISE...
Each year our advisers are asked to focus on their role and articulate why they do this work.
Among Libby Morris' many achievements, her vision to found the Georgia College Advising Corps (GCAC) stands out for its impact on students across our state.
Launched in 2009, the award-winning program embeds recent college graduates in more than 20 high schools, working alongside counselors, to support students as they plan for postsecondary education and navigate application processes.
- Why create and support GCAC? We believe postsecondary education can transform the lives of individuals and their communities, and because the average student to counselor ratio is 432:1 in Georgia.
- Why do our advisers serve? This simple question leads to a range of pragmatic and inspiring responses. In short, they know the need firsthand.
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DATA-DRIVEN RESULTS
Advisers rely on a complex dashboard to help them track key metrics around their efforts (photo from 2019).
GCAC is committed to data-driven advising, accountability, and educational equity.
Through College Advising Corps data, advisers can monitor students’ progress toward college-going milestones (e.g., registering for SAT/ACT, submitting applications, and completing financial aid forms) and determine who might need additional support.
They also access reports which allow them to evaluate their outreach strategies. Real-time data enables advisers and program staff to monitor progress toward goals and quickly pivot if strategies are not achieving their intended results.
So far this year, our 21 advisers' efforts have contributed to
- 13,000+ college applications
- 2000+ FAFSA applications
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CYCLE OF SUPPORT
Brionna Johnson and Tavaria Smith served students in the Athens-Clarke County School District.
Our model of near-peer advising creates a powerful cycle in which students relate to amazing people with similar backgrounds who support and inspire them.
Brionna Johnson received the Grauer True North Award for her advising service at her alma mater, Clarke Central High School. Last year Brionna enrolled at the McBee Institute and is now a graduate assistant at GCAC.
One of Brionna's former advisees, Tavaria Smith, followed in her footsteps and served as an adviser at Clarke Central during 2021. She is now pursuing a law degree.
"Having a college adviser as a resource my senior year was essential in my path to pursue higher education. Being first-generation, I couldn’t go to family for help like many of my peers," said Tavaria.
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JOIN IN
Adviser enthusiasm shows through on a dreary December day.
Most of us no longer fit the definition of a "near-peer" for high school students, but we can still be part of the program.
The Georgia College Advising Corps receives no state funding and must support itself entirely with grants, partnerships, and private donations.
For the month of March, culminating with Georgia Giving Day on March 31, we are highlighting gifts to this fund. Click the link below and scroll down to find Georgia College Advising Corps Fund to make your investment.
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Former GCAC adviser Bradford Porter was featured in a College Advising Corps blog post in 2021.
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