December 2025 Quick Minutes

By Ebony Lovett

12/16/2025

Access & Success College Application Process College Counseling Financial Aid/Scholarships Inclusion Member Relations Post-secondary Admissions Professional Development Public School Counseling Regional Admission Counselors Students & Parents Transfer Community Based Organizations Independent Educational Consulting Government Relations

SACAC History: The Birth of the National College Fair

As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we will use this quarter’s Southern Scope as a quick moment of reflection that gives our members a little-known fact about SACAC’s history as a whole.

Established in 1966 as an affiliate of NACAC, SACAC was founded to unite and organize admissions counseling professionals within the southeast. Overseeing nine states and two U.S. territories, SACAC has led the charge in some of NACAC’s most monumental moments.

The 1970’s proved to be a pivotal era in the history of NACAC as the organization navigated the pressures of budget deficits, diversity, and a big move of its headquarters to Skokie, IL. The decline in revenue ignited a period of innovation to generate revenue.

In 1972, NACAC partnered with SACAC for the inaugural National College Fair held in Birmingham, AL. It was the first of its kind under NACAC and its success led to an extension of access for students pursuing higher education.

By the end of the decade the success of the National College Fair program placed the association in the strongest fiscal position it had since growing into an organization of national stature.

SACAC’s existence played a role in the birth of NACAC College fairs. Now there are over 25 in person and virtual college fairs (with at least three in the southeast), 675K+ students reached per year, and more than 1800+ colleges and universities participate.

Today, with sixty years existing, we are still “Opening Doors and Changing Lives”. Join us in March as we celebrate our 60th anniversary in New Orleans.

So, grab that to-go cup and get excited for a celebration like no other! See you in New Orleans!

Southern Scope is brought to you by the SACAC Communication Advisory Board (CAB).