About the Virginia College Advising Corps
(formerly the College Guide Program)
The Virginia College Advising Corps (VCAC), formerly the College Guide Program, at the University of Virginia is a groundbreaking public service program designed to increase the number of students entering and completing higher education in the Commonwealth. The VCAC model is a targeted approach that integrates recent college graduates into the secondary school to address non-academic barriers to student achievement and success. What distinguishes VCAC from other college access and support programs is the combination of five innovations that are pillars of its approach:
1. VCAC is a "near-peer" mentoring model. The program recruits recent college graduates as advisers whose backgrounds are similar to the high school students they serve. Advisers assist students and their parents or guardians with college applications, college essay writing, financial aid, ACT/SAT test preparation, transfer processes and college visits.
2. VCAC works in partnership with colleges and universities across the Commonwealth. These institutions share VCAC's commitment to increasing the numbers of low-income, first generation, and underrepresented students who succeed in postsecondary education, and they commit their own staff and resources to supporting VCAC's work.
3. VCAC provides full-time college advisers who serve the whole school, rather than a cohort of particular students. College Advisers collaborate with counselors, teachers, administrators, families and community members and function as additional staff members whose focus is singularly on enhancing a school-wide college-going culture and ensuring that students apply and enroll in colleges where they will succeed.
4. VCAC focuses on best-fit colleges. College Advisers help students identify and apply to postsecondary programs that will serve them well academically and socially--thus increasing the likelihood that these students will earn their degrees.
5. VCAC participates in a national, external evaluation conducted by Evaluation and Assessment Solutions for Education, a research group at Stanford University, to quantitatively measure outcomes and qualitative results.
The Virginia College Advising Corps at the University of Virginia began in 2005-06; currently 13 Advisers serve 19 high schools throughout Virginia. VCAC was the model for the National College Advising Corps, a cohort of 17 national universities using recent undergraduate alumni to encourage students to pursue higher education. Since the program’s inception in 2005, VCAC has served more than 94,000 students and helped over 8,000 students enroll in post-secondary institutions.
VCAC is a joint venture of the University of Virginia and the National College Advising Corps, and is an AmeriCorps program.
This map shows the areas of the state in which VCAC is serving. To contact a College Adviser in your region, click on the appropriate name or photo below.
ALEXANDRIA
CLAS 2011
Foreign Affairs and Religious
Studies
As a College Adviser, I love being inspired by my students' unique stories and backgrounds. My hobbies include traveling, arts and crafts and baking.
CHARLOTTESVILLE
CLAS 2011
African American Studies and English
My favorite thing about being a College
Adviser is the relationships I get to build with students and the with other advisers. My hobbies include reading, creative writing and music.
DANVILLE
Christine Marie Quilpa
CLAS 2012
Because my father was a self-supporting first generation college student, I understand how important it is to get a bachelor's degree to gain access to jobs and resources to enhance the quality of life for oneself and for future generations. I look forward to serving the community by helping my students realize their potential and follow their goals and dreams! In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing poetry, playing piano, and learning languages.
FLUVANNA COUNTY
CLAS 2011
History
My favorite part about being a College Adviser is being able to give back to the my home community by leading more students to consider higher education where they otherwise would not. Working with my students, and knowing many of their stories, makes it all the more sweeter when I find out that they have been accepted by their first choice college! My hobbies include baking deliciously sweet goodies, reading, and traveling.
GREEN COUNTY
Gettysburg College 2010
History; Theatre Arts and Civil War Era Studies minors
When I first heard about this program I knew I had to be involved, because as a first gen college kid from a rural area, I know first hand how difficult the college process is when you are navigating it alone. My favorite part of being an adviser is when I can see a student get genuinely excited about their future plans, that moment when it becomes real to them that they can do it. Recently my spare time has been committed to exploring all the fantastic historic locations that Virginia has to offer.
HENRY COUNTY
CLAS 2011
Foreign Affairs and History
The part that I enjoy the most about being a College Adviser is the look on a student's face when they tell me they've been accepted to college -- Priceless! My hobbies include coaching the Bassett High School girls' varsity soccer team, running and reading - it is important to keep your mind sharp and to stay informed!
CLAS 2011
Socioeconomic Class and Culture
My favorite part of being a College Adviser is that you get out of it what you put into it. The position is flexible so that you can really be creative and make a difference in your school. My hobbies include running, hiking, rafting and camping.
LOUISA COUNTY
CLAS 2011
History
My favorite part about being a College Adviser is being able to give back to the my home community by leading more students to consider higher education where they otherwise would not. Working with my students, and knowing many of their stories, makes it all the more sweeter when I find out that they have been accepted by their first choice college! My hobbies include baking deliciously sweet goodies, reading, and traveling.
MARTINSVILLE
Poorna Phaltankar
CLAS 2010
My favorite part of being an adviser is getting to work so closely with students to help them achieve their goals in higher education. I can't wait until the spring when they make decisions on schools! My hobbies include reading, running and cooking and I'm looking forward to adding outdoor activities to that list as I settle into southside Virginia.
NELSON COUNTY
CLAS 2011
African American Studies and English
My favorite thing about being a College
Adviser is the relationships I get to build with students and the with other advisers. My hobbies include reading, creative writing and music.
ORANGE COUNTY
Gettysburg College 2010
History; Theatre Arts and Civil War Era Studies minors
When I first heard about this program I knew I had to be involved, because as a first gen college kid from a rural area, I know first hand how difficult the college process is when you are navigating it alone. My favorite part of being an adviser is when I can see a student get genuinely excited about their future plans, that moment when it becomes real to them that they can do it. Recently my spare time has been committed to exploring all the fantastic historic locations that Virginia has to offer.
PATRICK COUNTY
CLAS 2010
Environmental Science
I enjoy getting to spend every day
working with high school students, getting them into schools they may not have thought were within their reach and helping them make college actually affordable. I'm also incredibly thankful to have met so many people who are passionate about doing this kind of work -- having colleagues who care about what they are doing is inspiring. My hobbies include hiking, baking and listening to music.
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY
CLAS 2011
American Studies and Sociology
I recognize that I was able to attend college due to much help from others in my life. VCAC provides me with an opportunity to give back in a unique way, and pay it forward. Also, I've had the opportunity to coach JV Volleyball within one of my schools. Coaching has been a fun and rewarding addition to my experience with VCAC. My hobbies include tennis, volleyball and traveling.
Morgan GibsonCLAS 2011
History & Studies in Women and
Gender (Minor - Dance)
I love serving in my own community and bringing to it vital information about higher education. I also love being an encouragement to my students throughout a stressful time in their lives. My hobbies include reading, spending time with my family and running.
RICHMOND
CLAS 2011
English and African American Studies
The thing I enjoy most about being a
College Adviser is learning about my students and their lives. My hobbies include trying new recipes, reading fashion magazines, and watching college basketball.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
CLAS 2009, Economics
Batten 2010, MPP
I love watching my students grow. When we first start talking about college, they don't even have enough information to know what questions to ask. By spring semester, they're telling each other how much the PELL grant is worth and making fun of the ones who haven't applied for a PIN yet. I recently got really into Zumba. I am attempting my first half-marathon this spring. And I somehow got recruited to play hand bells at church.
