The American Association for Community Colleges (AACC) is an association that is the primary advocate for community colleges across the nation. The AACC is open to 2-year, associate degree- granting colleges. Each college pays dues based on the latest available IPEDs data, which was not currently listed on their website. The AACC offers three major benefit categories, advocacy: your national voice, leadership development and resources.
Advocacy: Your National Voice:
• Focuses on how the AACC has effective relationships on Capitol Hill with the White House and key federal agencies and with the news and media. This allows for the AACC to speak for and promote the interests of the community colleges.
Leadership Development:
• Offers a wide range of professional development opportunities to prepare, inform and connect current and future community college leaders. There are opportunities for every leader at every level.
Resources:
• AACC has the tools you need to be successful at your job. Offers the ability to read research, allows individuals to browse the website for up-to-date information on events, programs and resources. Individuals can also receive discounts on AACC Co-Published books and free subscriptions to the bi-monthly Community College Journal.
*All of the above information was found on the AACC’s website:
https://www.aacc.nche.edu/.*
The National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) is a national organization that empowers members to amplify the campus experience through inclusive learning, meaningful connections, and engaging entertainment that transforms college communities. NACA holds conferences where campuses can see performers in a showcase and vendors in an exhibit hall that can be booked to bring back to campus. Some examples are comedians, magicians, nitro magic ice cream, DIY programs and so much more. For a school membership to this association the membership dues can range from $495-$1,325 based on enrollment. The higher the enrollment the higher the dues cost. Associates (performers/vendors) membership dues can range from $280-$2,685. The membership benefits NACA offer are:
• Cooperative Buying (Block Booking): This is the ability to book a performer or vendor at a cheaper price because other colleges around your campus also book the same performer or vendor for the same day or week.
• NACA 24/7 Online: online platform that matches you with performers and vendors you’re seeking. This saves time and money as you are not constantly searching for the perfect fit for a campus event.
• Ready student leaders for current roles and future careers: supports undergraduate and graduate students with assessment tools,conferences, scholarships and grants. NACA can train student government officers, programming boards and other student organization leaders in- person or virtually.
• NACA Next: A tool designed to help students as they prepare for their next step after graduation.
*All of the above information was found on NACA’s website: https://www.naca.org/Pages/default.aspx.*
The Association for the Promotions of Campus Activities (APCA) is an association that promotes campus engagement through quality education experiences, affordable entertainment, and community service initiatives. Similar to NACA, APCA has conferences regionally and nationally that campuses can see performers in a showcase and vendors in an exhibit hall that can be booked to bring back to campus. Some examples are a wide variety of talented performers, novelty programs, DIY programs and so much more. For a school membership to this association the cost is $299 a year. Associates (performers/vendors) membership dues can range from $269-$699 a year. The membership benefits APCA offer are:
• Conference discounts: Campuses can save up to 30% on conference fees and resources •Networking opportunities: Network with students and advisors from neighboring schools and meet new entertainers, speakers and vendors
• Free publications: Free publications and resources and networking opportunities for your professional development
• Award eligibility: Eligible for APCA Gems Program and APCA Regional and National Awards • Artist directory: Search and download artists and vendors by region, state, agency, etc. • Be published or interviewed: Opportunity to be interviewed and featured on “APCA TV” and/or Campus Life Trends (CLT) Magazine
*All of the above information was found on APCA’s website: https://www.apca.com/.*
All three of these associations have really sparked an interest as I am currently completing my graduate assistantship at the same community college I attended, and I have attended both APCA and NACA conferences. It was really interesting to see the cost and benefits of each association. I have attended a local NACA conference and have attended two national APCA conferences. Each experience has brought me closer to falling in love with higher education student affairs but more specifically with student activities. I believe the benefits each association offers are great resources that every institution that is a member of the association should follow. AACC, NACA and APCA offer some of the same benefits but also have a wide variety of different benefits that make each association unique in their own way.
References:
American Association of Community Colleges. (n.d.). Retrieved October 06, 2020, from https://www.aacc.nche.edu/
ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF CAMPUS ACTIVITIES. (n.d.). Retrieved October 06, 2020, from
National Association for Campus Activities: Welcome. (n.d.). Retrieved October 06, 2020, from https://www.naca.org/Pages/default.aspx
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