College admissions conference will bring 1,200 people to campus

More than 1,200 people from 89 countries will visit the UO campus in July as the university hosts the annual conference of the Overseas Association of College Admission Counseling.

The 22nd annual gathering will be held July 7–10, with the opening session and reception happening on Hayward Field. The event’s keynote speaker is Susan Sygall, a UO alumnus and chief executive officer of Mobility International.

Members of the Overseas Association of College Admission Counseling include high school guidance counselors from more than 90 countries who are dedicated to serving students as they make choices about pursuing postsecondary education. Members attend the conference to network, take part in professional development and get to know their host campus and surrounding community.

Robert Hardin, the senior assistant director of admissions for international recruitment at the UO, said the conference shows the UO’s commitment to being a globally connected university.

“The UO is excited to show so many high school guidance counselors from around the world our great academics and facilities,” Hardin said. “Many of these counselors work at academically rigorous and prestigious international high schools. We hope they will return to their schools and recommend the University of Oregon to their students as a key higher education destination.”

Many university admissions officers in attendance will use the conference’s high school fair to plan their international fall recruitment travel, choosing which schools to visit and when.

The conference is expected to draw more than 600 college and university officials from most major U.S. institutions, including all Pac-12 schools and most schools in the Ivy League, Big Ten and Big 12. Also attending will be 425 high school guidance counselors and 153 counselors from nonprofit, for-profit and independent organizations.

In addition to many educational sessions, participants will have the opportunity to tour campus and the Eugene-Springfield area, take part in fundraisers, join a dodgeball tournament and attend a salmon dinner at Autzen Stadium.

The UO won the hosting privileges through a competitive bidding process. Past hosts include Northeastern University, Michigan State University, University of British Columbia, Brown University and Duke University. With more than 1,200 people coming to the Eugene-Springfield area, it’s expected that the conference will have a positive effect beyond the UO campus.

More information and a schedule are available here.