By Autumn Walden, Editor, AACRAO Connect, Content Strategy Manager, AACRAO
As April and National Volunteer Month come to a close, we’re proud of what stands strong in our Impact numbers: our volunteers. The AACRAO Impact page provides a constant reminder about the reach of our programs and the volunteers who power our network.
“As we wrap up National Volunteer Appreciation Month, I want to share my deep appreciation and gratitude for everyone who volunteers their time with AACRAO,” said Paige Selman Boucher, AACRAO Community Volunteer Manager. “While at the Annual Meeting, I heard over and over that AACRAO is important to many members because it is where they have found community. That community is so strong because of the hard-working volunteers who share their time, talents, and expertise to support not only the organization, but their peers.”
AACRAO is, at its core, a volunteer-led member association.
And the case for what volunteering gives back is well-documented. Research from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business found that volunteering improves both employee health and organizational outcomes—specifically by strengthening social bonds with colleagues and deepening a sense of belonging within a professional community. According to data highlighted by Groundswell, more than 75 million Americans volunteer each year, contributing nearly 5 billion hours of service valued at over $167 billion. That collective effort reflects a shared commitment to building stronger systems, institutions, and communities.
That act of supporting peers is what makes the AACRAO volunteer ecosystem distinct.
Whether it’s a quick reply in The Exchange, serving on a committee, or contributing to a publication, each act of participation creates a ripple effect. An answer can save someone hours. A shared experience can shift a decision. One new or renewed connection can change how someone approaches their work.
Many AACRAO members search within and beyond their campus borders for advice. Volunteers shape what it means for someone else to belong to this profession—and the connections formed in the process have a way of compounding across an entire career.
- When a registrar posts a question in The Exchange, a volunteer subject-matter expert answers.
- When an enrollment professional works through the SEM-EP credential, it’s a trained peer evaluator who guides the feedback.
- When a new admissions counselor takes an AACRAO course, a Course Faculty Member has built what they’re learning.
If you’ve been considering getting more involved—or getting involved for the first time—there’s no better moment.
- The AACRAO Volunteer Pool spans opportunities across every area of the association’s work.
- Among the newest is the new Credential Interoperability and Data Systems Committee, a timely space for professionals engaged in the evolving landscape of digital credentials and data infrastructure.
- Current part-time openings include Course Faculty Member, SEM-EP Evaluator, and Academic Record and Transcript Subject Matter Expert.
- And AACRAO Connect is always looking for authors and contributors ready to add their voice to the field’s ongoing conversations.
For those ready to take the first step, Boucher’s guidance is simple: “For those looking to volunteer with AACRAO, the easiest way to stay up-to-date is to opt in to the Volunteer Pool. Make sure you have the option toggled to yes to hear about our latest opportunities.”
For those who haven’t volunteered recently, or ever, consider this your invitation to step in. Not all contributions require a major commitment. Sometimes the first step is simply staying informed about where your skills and interests might align.
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