Past Symposium:
Mental Health and College Admissions
April 2-4, 2016 -- Worcester, Massachusetts
Join us this spring for an informative symposium featuring nationally recognized presenters who will discuss issues surrounding the increasing number of students entering American colleges and universities who have reported grappling with mental health challenges during their youth and adolescence. We will explore common questions about how to address mental health in the application; how admissions offices evaluate the circumstances surrounding mental illness; how to evaluate a college’s ability to accommodate mental health needs; and how these needs evolve over the course of the college years.
The Clark Counselor Symposium is a professional development workshop that each year examines a current issue in college admissions from the perspective of counselors at both the secondary and higher education levels. The program also includes an opportunity for you to learn more about Clark University and its pioneering approach to Liberal Education and Effective Practice (LEEP): explore campus through a personalized tour with a student ambassador, find out more about current undergraduate research and experiential learning, and enjoy lunch with students and faculty in the Higgins Café.
Registration opens in January. If you have questions about this year's symposium, please contact Jake Mattleman, Associate Director of Admissions, at jamattleman@clarku.edu.
Past Symposium: Out on Campus
March 15-16, 2015 -- Worcester, Massachusetts
In March, Clark University hosted a special two-day event focusing on advising LGBTQ students on the college search. We explored the unique issues that LGBTQ students face as they prepare for life on a college campus, and discussed resources and best practices for supporting students who are seeking an LGBTQ-friendly environment.
The first day of the symposium focused on an exchange of information, research, and anecdotal experiences in order to better understand the effect on counseling methodologies. Keynote speakers Kristin Russo and Dannielle Owens-Reid are the founders of Everyone is Gay, a support organization that works to improve the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning/Queer (LGBTQ) youth using a three-pronged approach: providing honest advice to these youth while keeping them laughing; talking to students across the country in an effort to create caring, compassionate school environments; and working with parents of LGBTQ kids to help foster an ongoing dialogue and deeper understanding. Kristin and Danielle co-authored This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids in 2014. The presentation was followed by a panel discussion and breakout sessions.
The second day was an opportunity for attendees to become better acquainted with Clark University and its unique approach to liberal arts education, known as Liberal Education and Effective Practice (LEEP), through conversations with students and other members of the Clark community.
Due to limited capacity, we can accommodate up to two attendees per school or organization.
PAST SYMPOSIUM SAMPLE SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, 6:00-9:00PM
- Arrival in Worcester
- Welcome Dinner
SUNDAY, 9:30AM-8:00PM
- Breakfast
- Presentations and Panel Discussion/Q&A
- Lunch
- Panel Breakout Discussions
- Dinner in Worcester
MONDAY, 9:00AM-2:00PM
- Breakfast
- Welcome from Clark President David Angel
- This is MY Clark: Personalized Campus Tours
- Lunch with Clark students and faculty
- Destination: Worcester - shuttle tour led by current Clarkies
- Wrap Up / Q&A
Registration is no longer available because the registration deadline has passed.
