The Government Relations Committee shall be responsible for monitoring federal and state legislation and legislative initiatives pertinent to college admissions and primary and secondary school counseling. The Government Relations Committee informs members of issues of concern with regards to education and college access initiatives both at the state and national level. NACAC provides resources to help members connect with legislators and learn of pending legislation, as well as provides templates for contacting national leaders on topics identified as priority issues.
The Government Relations Committee of SACAC is developing new state legislative training for all of the member states. To join this committee or help plan a legislative day in your state, click here. For a Reimbursement Form for Government Relations/Legislative Days, please click here.
Please visit the SACAC event calendar for a list of upcoming state events.
As one of the largest NACAC affiliates, we strive to have the largest delegation at the annual NACAC Advocacy Meeting. NACAC’s Advocacy Meeting is a 2-day experience held each year in Washington, DC. Due to COVID-19, the 2021 Annual Meeting was held virtually. The centerpiece of the discussion focused on NACAC’s Roadmap for Change. Please visit our NACAC Advocacy Day 2021 for more information on how to continue to engage in policy and advocacy actions. Check out #NACACAdvocacyWeek on social media for a peek into this year’s event! Check back on this page for our plans for the 2022 Annual Advocacy Meeting!
Government Relations Leadership
Committee Members
Government Relations State Chairs
Alabama: Andrew Colson and Bailee Drummond, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Arkansas: Jeremy Dickerson, Hendrix College and Wendell Scales, Jr., Arkansas Lighthouse Academies
Florida: Rose Llanos, Lynn University and Iris Martinez, Christopher Columbus High School
Georgia: Emily Wurst, West Georgia University and Erin Layton, The Howard School
Louisiana: Bryan Cooper, St Augustine High School and Justin Fenske, Baton Rouge Episcopal
Mississippi: Grant Nerran, Mississippi State University and Megan Thomas, University of Mississippi
North Carolina: Deborah Ryan, Empower Triangle Tutoring LLC and JaneAnne Tager, The Franklin School of Innovation
South Carolina: Kyle Conrad, Winthrop University
Tennessee: Mason Brown, St Mary’s Episcopal School, Kristen King, Persist and Kelly O’Mara, Baylor School
State Links:
Alabama
Governor’s Office
Legislature – House of Representatives and Senate
Department of Education
Commission on Higher Education
Arkansas
Governor’s Office
House of Representatives
Senate
Department of Education
Department of Higher Education
Florida
Governor’s Office
House of Representatives
Senate
Department of Education
Higher Education – Board of Governors
Georgia
Governor’s Office
General Assembly – House of Representatives and Senate
Department of Education
Board of Regents – University System of Georgia
Louisiana
Governor’s Office
Louisiana Legislature – House of Representatives and Senate
Department of Education
Board of Regents
Mississippi
Governor’s Office
Legislature – House of Representatives and Senate
Department of Education
Institutions of Higher Education
North Carolina
Governor’s Office
General Assembly – House of Representatives and Senate
Department of Public Instruction / Board of Education
South Carolina
Governor’s Office
Legislature – House of Representatives and Senate
Department of Education
Commission on Higher Education
Tennessee
Governor’s Office
Legislature – House of Representatives and Senate
Department of Education
Higher Education Commission
Caribbean Government Websites
Puerto Rico
Commonwealth of the Bahamas
United States Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
Jamaica
Commonwealth of Dominica
St. Kitts and Nevis
Other Resources
From NACAC’s 2018 Day on the Hill: Kelly Leon (Institute for Higher Education Policy) delivered our keynote address, which we broadcast on Facebook Live. She was outstanding in framing how to effectively talk about the value of education to those that are skeptical about such a large investment.
Students Without Status: Understanding and Protecting the Rights of Undocumented Immigrant Students webinar on October 18, 2017 information here.