Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

Chair: Shawn Ficadenti, James Madison University (VA)
Vice Chair: Melissa Ward, St. Mary's High School (MD)

Special Interest Groups bring colleagues together to explore a topic or population in higher education / K-12 through discussion, networking and resource sharing. PCACAC has served as a leading affiliate in many ways, including launching our very own SIGs in 2018. Since then, we have grown from three to ten SIGs.

Special Interest Groups Directory

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander:

Joyce Lee, University of Utah (UT)
Rachel Southern, Franklin & Marshall College (PA)

Black & African American:

Candace Leake, University of Rochester (NY)
Shameek Robinson, S.T.R.I.V.E. LLC (DC)

2025 has been quite the year for our country and our field. On February 25 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, come together with like minded colleagues to explore the impacts of policy and practice on our field and our work - then hear about strategies to push back, protect your professional space, and identify opportunities for self-care. We look forward to your attendance and participation!

Community Based Organizations (CBOs):

SIG Leadership search in progress

Community College & Transfer Students:

Melloney Johnson, Matoaca High School (VA)
Stephanie Stahler, McDaniel College (MD)

Disabilities & Neurodiversity

Susie Hudgins, Blooming Brains Coaching (VA)
Ann-Marie Stripling, Focus Collegiate (MA)

Join the PCACAC Disabilities and Neurodiversity SIG for a webinar:
Nuts and Bolts of Collegiate Support for Students with Disabilities
January 16

REGISTER for this Webinar.

Join the PCACAC Disabilities and Neurodiversity SIG for virtual coffee and conversation.
We look forward to seeing you at 9:00 am (ET) on
February 20
REGISTER for these Zoom meetings:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email message that includes information about joining the meeting.

October 24: Disability and Neurodiversity SIG Coffee Break Video

December 5: Disability and Neurodiversity SIG Coffee Break Video

First-Generation College Students:

Jahnelle McMillan, Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) (NY)
Ashleigh Tillman, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (MD)

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

Whitney Ceaser, Richard Bland College of William & Mary (VA)
Amani Manning, Common App (VA)

Independent Educational Consultants

Missy Moreland, Moreland and Associates Educational Consulting LLC (MD)
Ricardo Ortegón GPS College Guidance (MD)

Latiné:

Wendy Ayala, Collegiate Directions, Inc. (MD)
Kevin Medina, Georgetown Preparatory School (DC)

LGBTQ+ Ally:

Andi Burke, St. John's College, (MD)
Raquel Sobczak, University of Maryland, College Park (MD)

Rural/Small Town:

Tim Danos, University of Delaware (DE)
Chad Koontz, McDaniel College (MD)

If you have an idea for a new SIG or would you like to get connected to the leaders and members of our current SIGs, please contact the chair.
We are looking forward to seeing the number of SIGs grow. YOU may be just the leader that we need for our newest SIG!