On July 5, 2008, NASFAA's Student Access and Diversity Committee will host a free, half-day workshop from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. "College Access Needs You: Learn How to Bait the Hook," designed to:

• Enhance participants' understanding of the process of conducting audience research and message development
• Provide insight into the characteristics and needs of special groups within the target audience of underserved students
• Interact with panelists from target audience
• Learn how to identify target groups
• Take home tools that can be effectively applied in your work

Facilitated by Ivan Juzang of MEE Productions, the day's agenda will include:

• A panel representing "hard-to-reach" and challenging populations
• Interactive participation that opens up dialogues between our colleagues and panel members
• Developing applications for effective outreach strategies that can be integrated in our professional roles

Last year's pre-conference was so successful that we have brought back a format that attendees have expressed as being important in their work.

You'll hear stories that will guide you in reaching underserved populations and hear about simple yet effective strategies that have worked.

NASFAA's Board of Directors voted unanimously and enthusiastically to support "College Access" with a generous allocation from NASFAA's Project Development Fund. As such, no registration fee will be assessed and all materials and catering will be provided to participants free of charge.

We urge you to plan on participating in this important event. Please mark your calendar and make any necessary adjustments to your hotel reservations as soon as possible. Space is limited so register today.