Meet your new SACAC Treasurer-elect
Claudia Jolivert
Director of College Counseling
Ransom Everglades School
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Why did you want to join the SACAC Board?
SACAC has nurtured my passion for young people, and it has inspired me to commit myself to student empowerment and access for all. To broaden the role I play as a counselor in my community, I decided to apply to join the SACAC Board so that I could help elevate and expand the efforts that represent the best of our profession. As a first-gen college student, an immigrant to this country and a non-native English speaker, I am often torn between the ideals and the reality of our education system. Our profession can be challenging, but I am honored to support the mission of SACAC and to be vocal about access and opportunity for not just a lucky few, but for everyone.
Identify a person who has been particularly influential in your growth and development as a college admissions professional.
Steve Frappier. With kindness, detailed data reports, humor and lemon-poppy cakes, Steve has inspired me to be a professional who is intentional and purposeful with my words and actions. Frap keeps it real.
In light of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, what is one thing you hope to see change/develop/disappear from the college admission industry?
I hope this pandemic enables us to revisit the application timeline. Early application deadlines tend to benefit a few, and it is usually the students who have a higher socio-economic standing. We should embrace a timeline that values human development and respects the teenage brain, but more importantly one that does not put students with limited resources at a disadvantage.
Say you were confirmed as the U.S. Secretary of Education, what policy would you implement/change on day one of your term?
I would invest time and resources to better understand how this country can move toward year-round schooling. The idea of revising the school year structure is an aspect I believe can address some of the most pressing issues related to access, equity and inclusion in higher education. Studies show that the achievement gap between low-income students and their higher income peers is exacerbated by the single long-term summer break.