A Note from Southwestern Region VP Richard Middleton

Dec. 2011

Southwestern News

VP Richard Middleton

• Attend workshops designed to help you become even more effective in your job — whether you counsel and educate students or manage enrollment and administer financial aid;

• Learn from prominent experts in education and politics;
• Network with peers in your region as you discuss strategies and best practices developed to increase student achievement; and
• Walk away with insight and practical tools you can use to implement important change.

Please join dynamic education professionals from the Southwestern Region for an opportunity to invest in the shared goal of student success. The Clinton Library will have extended hours with free admission just for SWRO Regional Forum attendees. For more information and how to registration, click here.

We realize that colleges and universities are aiming to increase diversity and attract qualified students to honors programs or specific majors. With campus resources becoming ever more scarce, it has become increasingly important for enrollment offices to develop efficient, targeted methods for reaching students. We invite you to join us at the Student Search Service® workshop being held in Little Rock before the start of the regional forum. At this free event, we will discuss tools, strategies and resources that can help you address demographic shifts and economic challenges so that you can meet your enrollment goals. Come learn how the College Board can help you develop more strategic and cost-efficient methods to reach prospective students.

The College Board was proud to participate in two recent special events in Texas. We partnered with Houston ISD in November for an inspiring “Five Ways Ed Pays” pep rally and resource fair to equip families with the knowledge they need about the college-going process and the benefits of higher education. The next day, leaders from around the state gathered in Austin for our successful launch of the first annual National Survey of School Counselors. This event was part of a yearlong, multistate campaign to mobilize the nation to ensure that the United States has the highest proportion of college graduates in the world, with 55 percent of young Americans earning a postsecondary degree or credential by 2025.

We are very grateful for the large contingent of counselors who attended. We applaud their commitment and innovative efforts to provide all students with the highest-quality education. You can read more about both events in this month’s Connection.

Also in November, 400 school and district leaders traveled to China for the Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters–sponsored Chinese Bridge Delegation. Thirteen educators from Texas and Oklahoma were among those enjoying this educational trip. By offering specifically tailored workshops, presentations, partnership events and school visits, the Chinese Bridge Delegation helps guide participants as they strengthen and expand their AP® Chinese programs. Additionally, the participants had the opportunity to experience China firsthand and marvel at the rich traditional culture set against stunning modern development as they visited the Great Wall, Forbidden City and other cultural sites. For information about how to be a part of this trip next year, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit http://professionals.collegeboard.com/k-12/awards/chinese/bridge.

Additionally, our government relations team is leading our regional efforts to develop legislative and advocacy strategies for upcoming legislative sessions in Arkansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Although our agendas in each state will differ, each will include efforts to protect current funding for College Board programs and services, as well as to support state policies that support our work in these states.

Last but not least, we are pleased to welcome to our SWRO team Jason Langdon, the new senior director for higher education services. In this role, Jason will be responsible for providing leadership in our work with higher education institutions in the states of Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Jason most recently served as a senior educational manager for higher education services in the Middle States Region, working with schools in New Jersey and New York. Prior to joining the College Board, Jason spent more than 15 years in admission and enrollment, most recently at Montclair State University as the director of undergraduate admissions. Jason is a true expert in College Board programs and services, and will use his experience to lead the higher education team in the Southwest.