This Statement and Principles of Good Practice consists of principles that all member institutions are expected to follow to the extent that they are applicable to the specific institutional category. As members of a Body of Christ, we are called to a higher standard while recognizing the diversity of our membership and a rapidly changing admission landscape that raises new and complex ethical issues. We aspire to the best practices in our profession. In rare situations where the standard modus operandi is different for a particular institutional category, these principles need to be tempered by common sense, discernment and concern for the membership as a whole.
Even with our best efforts, this document cannot anticipate every new admission process or strategy that may be enacted. We trust, however, that members will always honor the spirit and intent of this document. As the college admission landscape continues to change, adjustments to the language, procedures or behaviors advanced in this document will be considered.
The work of college admissions and counseling is based upon professionalism, collaboration, civility, and a shared responsibility to educate students and families about the transition to and within post-secondary education. As such, we believe ethical behavior is the foundation of the counseling, admission, and enrollment management profession, encouraging students to seek God’s will in their educational journey.
Proverbs 3:5-6, 2 Corinthians 8:21
Transparency and trust are essential components of the college admission and counseling process. We believe in providing students and families with complete, truthful, proactive, and accurate information to enable informed decision-making, following Christ’s example of humility and service in our engagements with students and families.
Mark 10:45, Philippians 2:1-11
We strive to eliminate bias and discrimination in the college admissions and counseling process, treating all students equitably regardless of background or circumstances. Our role is to support students in discerning their educational paths in a manner that reflects Christ’s love and justice.
Ephesians 4:25, Micah 6:8, Psalm 106:3
Throughout our history, NACCAP has been committed first and foremost to serving the needs of our members. NACCAP has always maintained a commitment to its membership principles while pursuing Christ-centered excellence in all that we do to further the cause of helping students seek quality educational opportunities that are honoring to the Lord. In a very practical way, we have endeavored to celebrate our commonalities and set aside our differences to advance the cause of the common vision we share as an active body of Christian schools that embrace the furtherance of education in a Christ focused context.
While unified, our members are distinctive as are the challenges we each face. The demographics of our industry and the students we serve are changing. NACCAP’s members are serving diverse students in a complicated and dynamic world. With demographic changes and the challenges of declining college enrollment, it is vital to expand the reach of Christian education through strategic enrollment practices.
NACCAP is comprised of members from various backgrounds and Christian beliefs, working on campuses that are rooted in a variety of traditions. The membership is connected by the truth and grace of Jesus Christ, a care for each other and our collective passion to champion the cause for Christian education. Scripture indicates, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5: 15-15, NIV). We believe that greater diversity enhances our members experience by providing a better context for demonstrating the unifying power of the Gospel.
We are committed to living out the word of God:
“God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free – and we were all give the one Spirit to drink.”
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”
In addition to these scriptures, our statement of faith provides a foundation for this framework.
As a result of these scriptural truths, our mission statement and membership principles, the Board of Directors and NACCAP staff endeavor to develop stronger initiatives to encourage deeper diversity among enrollment leaders and teams as well as services and partnerships to increase enrollment of diverse students through the strategic plan. We will focus this work in a manner that is consistent with our mission as a Christ-centered membership organization. NACCAP has been and remains dedicated to the advancement of Christian higher education that is aligned with the historic Christian faith. This compels us to be mindful of perspectives that may cause division within our body of members. We take our membership practices seriously and value meaningful discussion on the matters that join us together.
NACCAP views marriage as a sacred and lifelong union between a man and a woman, established by God for companionship, mutual support, and the continuation of family. This covenant reflects a deep, committed relationship, symbolizing the bond between Christ and the Church. According to the Bible, God created humans as male and female. Human sexuality is designed by God to be expressed within this committed, monogamous marriage between a male and a female." [Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 2:24, and Ephesians 5:22-32, and emphasized in Hebrews 13:4].
