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PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE PREP ROUNDTABLE PRESENTS
2025 SPRING SYMPOSIUM
Bracing for Change:Â The Road to Student Success in Uncertain Times
HOSTED BY: ARCADIA UNIVERSITY
University Commons, Great Hall
450 S. Easton Road, Glenside, PA 19038
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
***Check-in and breakfast begin at 8:30 AM
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LEADERS IN COLLEGE
ACCESS & SUCCESS
Discover the voices and visionaries shaping the future of higher education access and student success.
SPACE TO LEARN & SHARE
Join thoughtful conversations, exchange ideas, and explore solutions with peers and experts.
NETWORKING
Make meaningful connections with fellow educators, advocates, and policy influencers.
The Time for Action is Now!
Higher education stands at a critical crossroads. As political shifts, evolving policies, and budgetary changes redefine the educational landscape, student success hangs in the balance. The PCPR Spring Symposium 2025 brings together educators, advocates, policymakers, and institutional leaders for a powerful one-day event focused on understanding and responding to these urgent changes.
“Bracing for Change: The Road to Student Success in Uncertain Times” is more than just a symposium—it’s a collective call to action. Attendees will explore the implications of national and state-level policy changes on college access, equity, and affordability, and strategize ways to support students through times of disruption and transformation.
Why Attend?
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Whether you’re navigating FAFSA changes, addressing DEI challenges, guiding undocumented students, or advocating for affordable education, this symposium will provide:
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âś… Expert perspectives on national and state-level education policy
âś… Practical tools to support your work with students
âś… Peer networking and collaboration opportunities
âś… Advocacy strategies you can activate immediately
âś… A space to be part of a united voice for equitable higher education
What to Expect
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Policy & Advocacy Conversations
Hear directly from elected officials shaping Pennsylvania’s education agenda—including members of the U.S. House and Pennsylvania state education committees. Engage in real-time conversations on how legislation is affecting college-bound students. -
Higher Education Leadership Panel
Learn from student affairs and enrollment leaders across colleges and universities as they share tested approaches for navigating institutional change and promoting student success. -
Lunch & Resource Fair
Network with local and national organizations committed to student advocacy, financial aid access, DEI support, and legal education rights.Â
Who Should Attend?
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College access and success professionals
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K–12 and higher education administrators
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Community-based organization leaders
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Policy advocates and researchers
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Legislators and education officials
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Students and student leaders
Symposium Agenda
Bracing for Change: The Road to Student Success in Uncertain Times
June 17, 2025 • Arcadia University – University Commons, Great Hall
8:30 AM – 9:10 AM - Breakfast & Networking
Speakers: Everyone
9:10 AM – 9:30 AM - Opening Remarks
Speakers:
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Nancy Campbell, Founder & Chief Strategist, NWC Edunomics, LLC
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Thom Butler, Executive Director, Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable
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Dr. Ajay Nair, President, Arcadia University - Welcome Address
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM - Keynote Address
Higher Education in a Changing Political Landscape
Speaker: Heidi Tseu, Esq., Assistant Vice President, National Engagement
American Council on Education
10:15 AM – 10:20 AM - Break
10:25 AM – 11:15 AM
Pennsylvania Higher Education Plan Update
Speaker: Dr. Kate Shaw, Executive Director
Pennsylvania’s State Board of Higher Education (SBHE)
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Panel: Navigating Policy Landscapes
Moderator: William Lindsey, Senior Vice President of Federal Relations & Outreach
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA)
Panelists:
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The Honorable Regina Young (PA House 185)
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The Honorable Morgan Cephas (PA House 192)
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM - Lunch & Resource Fair
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM - Tribute to Michael Gaynor
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Panel: Creative Strategies for Student Success
Moderator: Dr. Nakia Mack, Assistant Vice Provost of Enrollment, Recruitment
Temple University
Panelists:
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Dr. Donavan McCargo, Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Students
Arcadia University -
Dr. Dorcas L. Colvin, Vice President for Student Success and Dean of the College
Lincoln University -
Nathan Elton, Executive Director, Post-Graduate and Student Success Integration
University of Delaware
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Call to Action: Advocate for Education
Speakers:
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Baron Vanderburg, Associate Director of Admissions/Director of Access, Inclusion, and Diversity Initiatives,
Muhlenburg College -
Thom Butler, Exec Director
Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable
Tribute to Michael Gaynor
The symposium honors the life and legacy of Michael Gaynor, a passionate student advocate whose dedication to college access and student success left a lasting impact on countless students, families, and professionals. As a leader at Villanova University and a longtime supporter of the Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable, Michael was deeply committed to helping students navigate their educational journeys and pursue their college dreams. His work reflected an unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives. We celebrate his memory, his contributions, and the many lives he touched through his service, leadership, and advocacy.
Keynote Speakers
Powerful Keynote Address
Heidi Tseu, Esq., Assistant Vice President for National Engagement at the American Council on Education, will kick off the day with insights on “Higher Education in a Changing Political Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities.”
Learn More
State Higher Education Plan Update
Gain the latest insights into Pennsylvania’s Higher Education Plan, presented by Dr. Kate Shaw, Executive Director of the PA State Board of Higher Education.
Learn MoreAdditional Speakers
Nathan Elton
University of Delaware
Executive Director, Post-Graduate and Student Success Integration
Dr. Donavan McCargo
Arcadia University
Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Students, Arcadia University
Dr. Dorcas L. Colvin
Lincoln University
Vice President for Student Success andÂ
Dean of the College
PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE PREP ROUNDTABLEÂ
SPRING SYMPOSIUM
Bracing for Change: The Road to Student Success in Uncertain Times
HOSTED BY: ARCADIA UNIVERSITY
University Commons, Great Hall
450 S. Easton Road, Glenside, PA 19038
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
***Check-in and breakfast begin at 8:30 AM
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