The book’s lessons are drawn from the RMU College Affordability Academy, a training initiative for admissions counselors, financial aid officers, faculty mentors, and student support staff to make the college financing system as transparent as possible for prospective students. 

The College Affordability Academy was conceived by Wendy Beckemeyer, RMU vice president for enrollment management, who authored one of the chapters in the new book. A Blueprint for Counseling Families includes a foreword written by RMU President Chris Howard and a conclusion written by former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

“This book is not just a tremendous service for those who advise families on paying for college (and ultimately for the families themselves), but also for those of us who advocate for affordability and access to higher education,” wrote Duncan.  

Other authors include Amy Brashear Miranda, director of higher education services for the Middle States Region of the College Board; Kimberly J. McCurdy, higher education access partner with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency; Katherine Cooper, executive consultant for Ruffalo Noel Levitz; and Rory McElwee, vice president for enrollment and student success at Rowan University (N.J.).

“We can help make higher education more affordable by doing what we do best: teaching our students (and their parents) to make good decisions based on research and best practices. …Knowledge is power, and we can empower our families to make the right decisions to maximize their return on investment,” wrote Howard.

The College Affordability Academy®: A Blueprint for Counseling Families can be purchased in hardcopy through the RMU bookstore, and at Amazon as an e-book.