I’m looking forward to the 2010 version of ExplorACES, a two-day event that acquaints prospective students and their families with the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Come March 12-13, we’ll be hosting around 1500 high school students and their parents here at the College of ACES in Urbana-Champaign. ExplorACES will give us the opportunity to meet outstanding high school students from across the state, and share in the excitement as they see first-hand some of the extraordinary programs that make this college such a top-notch learning environment. But there’s another reason why ExplorACES is so impressive: it’s a showcase for the skills and enthusiasm of our current students. ACES students plan the event, coordinate logistical schedules for ExplorACES, orchestrate the publicity, staff the exhibits, and truly make the two days an interactive experience for all our visitors.
 
This year marks our sixth annual ExplorACES, and some of the individuals who as high schoolers were “guests” in previous years are now ACES students taking high-profile leadership roles in producing this year’s event. Their willingness to “pitch in” is a testimony to the very special sense of family that students find here at the College of ACES.