Professional Development

DCAC offers various opportunities for the continuous training and development of fellows, including:

  • Counselor Conferences
    • University of California (UC) Counselor Conference
    • California State University (CSU) Conference
    • California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) Counselor Conference
  • Training through the Center for Educational Partnerships at UC Berkeley
  • Regional Training led by Assistant Directors
  • Data-informed decision-making skills
    • Monthly Data Meeting training sessions
    • Monthly Excel-based exercises

Professional Development & Resource Committee (PDRC)

PDRC consists of a team of Assistant Directors that commits to DCAC's mission to change the face of education by preparing College Adviser Fellows to be future educators and leaders. They provide College Adviser Fellows with opportunities, resources, and tools that will enhance their learning, skill-building, and development as new professionals. They host monthly workshops and presentations to allow take time out of work hours to explore their passions and goals

Workshop and Presentation Topics include:

  • Graduate School Planning
  • Professional Networking Opportunities
  • Skill Building
  • Financial Literacy

Leadership Opportunities

Fellow Advisory Board (FAB)

FAB was founded in 2016 by Yvette Flores (former DCAC Assistant Director and Deputy Director) and 6 College Adviser Fellows who wanted to improve the College Adviser Fellow experience. They serve as a soundboard with DCAC staff as a direct line to voice College Adviser Fellow concerns and feedback to career staff to strengthen the development of DCAC as a program. FAB:

  • Meet monthly to provide program feedback and concerns to the DCAC Co-Directors and Assistant Directors
  • Provide suggestions to adviser training and development
  • Plan community-building activities to strengthen college adviser relationships
  • Recruitment and retention of College Adviser Fellows

Data Analysis, Research, and Evaluation (DARE) Committee

DARE was founded in 2020 by Jessica Thach (former Data Manager and Assistant Director) due to a need to strengthen the data infrastructure of DCAC. DARE is committed to developing the data skills of College Adviser Fellows and helping fellows build skills to be data-informed and equity-focused. DARE members:

  • Connect DCAC's work to the larger landscape of college access and higher education
  • Analyze program-wide data
  • Make data-informed recommendations to strengthen, innovate, and elevate DCAC's data infrastructure
  • Support in the development of program materials and resources related to data

Program and National Professional Development Opportunities

College Adviser Fellows are given the opportunity to submit a request for proposal (RFP) for the College Advising Institute (CAI), DCAC/EAOP Winter Training, and the College Adviser Corps Adviser Assembly. These opportunities help fellows build and polish skills that will be necessary for their future careers such as but not limited to:

  1. Effective planning and execution
  2. Public speaking and Interpersonal Communication
  3. Time Management
  4. Engagement and Active Listening