How to Reduce Bias in Recommendation Letters
A Workshop for Counselors, Teachers, Admissions Representatives,
and other Student Supporters
Led by Marie Bigham and Dr. Ashley L. Bennett, leaders of ACCEPT:
Admissions Community Cultivating Equity & Peace Today
Have you ever…
Written a recommendation letter for a student from a historically excluded group?
Received feedback that suggests you could benefit from DEI and/or cultural competency training?
Thought about how you can be a stronger advocate for students from historically excluded groups?
Thought about your biases and how they show up in your work?
How to Reduce Bias in Recommendation Letters
Our workshop is led by Marie Bigham and Dr. Ashley L. Bennett, leaders of ACCEPT: Admissions Community Cultivating Equity & Peace Today.
Marie and Ashley have more than 40 combined years of experience in the college access space, both having served as college admissions officers and college counselors in high schools.
We are offering two sections of this workshop:
For College
Admissions Representatives:
On demand recording available
We covered:
- How to identify your biases (we all have them) in a way that serves prospective students.
- How to read recommendation letters while applying a lens rooted in equity.
- How to identify stereotypical language that is used to describe students from historically excluded groups.
- How to use information you read in recommendation letters to advocate for prospective students.
For Teachers, College
Counselors, and Other Recommendation Writers:
On demand recording available
We covered:
- How to identify your biases (we all have them) in a way that serves your students.
- How to read your own writing while applying a lens rooted in equity.
- How to identify stereotypical language that is used to describe students from historically excluded groups.
- How to use language that affirms your students’ identities in a way that is relevant and useful to college admissions officers.
- How to advocate for your student by telling their story.
Meet Ashley
Dr. Ashley L. Bennett is co-leader and Director of Community Culture of ACCEPT (Admissions Community Cultivating Equity & Peace Today), an advocacy group and community that centers racial justice in the college admissions process and profession. With more than 15 years in the profession, Ashley has presented at the Texas Association for College Admissions Counseling (TACAC) annual conference, the Great Plains Association for College Admissions Counseling (GPACAC), and the Southern Association for College Admissions Counseling (SACAC) on topics such as microaggressions, being Black in the profession, leveraging technology, code switching, and the intersection of race and gender in college admissions.
Ashley received her bachelor’s degree in African and African American studies from The University of Oklahoma and a master’s in Adult Education with an emphasis in training from the University of Central Oklahoma. She earned her doctorate in ethical leadership from the University of St. Thomas in 2020, where she researched the lived experiences of transgender students in high school. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the largest Black Greek-letter sorority in the world. When she is not working, Ashley enjoys time with her husband, Chevy, and her kiddos, Aijah and Austin.
Meet Marie
Marie Bigham is the Founder and Executive Director of ACCEPT (Admissions Community Cultivating Equity & Peace Today), a nonprofit organization that is removing racism from college admissions. Recently named a “Global Game Changer” by Facebook, Marie is a national leader in college admission redesign and reform. In 2018, ACCEPT received the Excellence in Education Award from the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, awarded to “those who use their prominence to advance equity and access in education”.
Marie’s lifelong commitment to racial justice has informed her professional path. With almost 25 years in the college admissions ecosystem, Marie has served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC); as Vice Chair and Director of Communication for Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS); and on the Board of Directors of Texas Association of College Admissions Counseling (TACAC).
Become a stronger advocate for students from historically excluded groups.
Colleges Admissions Representatives
$197
(On Demand)
Group Pricing Available Register - College RepresentativesCounselors, Teachers & Recommendation Writers
$97
(On Demand)
Group Pricing Available Register - Recommendation WritersInterested in registering a group?
College Admission Reps
If you're registering..
- Up to 10 people: $1400
- 11 to 15 people: $2000
- 16 to 20 people: $3000
Recommendation Writers
If you're registering..
- Up to 10 people: $700
- 11 to 15 people: $1000
- 16 to 20 people: $1500
For group registrations, please email [email protected].
We have Pay-What-You-Can spots available for the On Demand section with our college counselors, teachers & other admissions writers.
Access is really important to me. In fact, it’s at the heart of most of everything I do. It’s why I’m offering pay-what-you-can spots for any family who can't afford the sticker price.
If that’s you, request a pay-what-you-can spot.
Don’t be shy; we’d love to have you.
