BISMARCK, N.D. - College within Your Reach, a conference focused on increasing college access awareness will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Bismarck, N.D., May 12, 2009.

The conference is sponsored by the North Dakota College Access Network, which encourages students to set and achieve educational goals. ND-CAN is committed to helping first-generation, low-income and under-represented students access, enroll and succeed in college. It provides assistance with college admissions, the financial aid process and career path development.

"Expanding access to higher education is one of the most fundamental goals of the North Dakota University System," said Bill Goetz, NDUS chancellor. "By hosting the ‘College Within Your Reach' conference, we want to send a clear message that resources are available to help students get past some of the stumbling blocks that get in the way of attending and completing college."

Students, parents, teachers and counselors are encouraged to attend. Presentation topics will include college admissions and applications, financial aid and federal Pell Grants, basic money management skills for students and parents, the transition from high school to college and community youth and college opportunity programs. Many related resources will be available.

Keynote speaker Ramona Klein, Ph.D., Eagle Consulting, Inc., will share her commitment to professional and personal success. Klein is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and the first female from the Turtle Mountain Reservation to complete a doctorate. She has spoken to groups in all 50 states.

The North Dakota College Access Network conference is funded through the ND College Access Challenge Grant provided by the U.S. Department of Education and managed by the North Dakota University System. The conference is free and open to the public. For more information and to register to attend, go to: http://www.bismarckstate.edu/ceti/ndcan/