By Paige Selman Boucher, Community and Volunteer Manager, AACRAO
AACRAO is pleased to announce two new Community and Content Facilitators: Katie Rendon, Registrar at Hebrew Union College, and Jay Flynn, Business Analyst for Degree Audits at the University of Virginia. They join Michael Davenport, Patrick Frazier, Jennifer Minke, and Kimberly Watley on our current team of CCFs.
The CCFs are a crucial part of our strategy to help ensure members can get involved year-round. They host monthly (September – June) Collective Gatherings on various hot topics and help drive engagement in the Exchange. They are dedicated to fostering community-building opportunities outside of AACRAO’s in-person events.
Meet New CCF, Katie Rendon
Tell us a little about your professional experience and previous AACRAO experience.
I am currently serving as the Registrar at Hebrew Union College, a small, non-profit, private, faith-based institution. I have worked in higher education for 15+ years, largely within the fields of academic advising and the registrar’s office. During my time in higher education, I have worked at a variety of institutions with diverse missions, including supporting adult learning, distance education, health care professions, and faith-based programs. This breadth of experience across fields and institutions has helped me to develop a more holistic insight into the varied perspectives that make up higher education.
Currently, I am serving as the Chair of the State & Regional Relations Committee; as a part of that role, I organize and host monthly webinars that enhance the continued development of our State & Regional ACRAO associations. I am also currently an active member of the Prior Learning Assessment and Alternative Credentials Committee and the Member Engagement Committee. I am a faculty member for the Registrar 101 course, and I am a contributor for AACRAO Connect. Previously, I have served as a member of the Nominations and Elections Committee. I am a past winner of the AACRAO Emerging Leader Award and a past president and past historian of Rocky Mountain ACRAO.
What interested you in becoming a Community and Content Facilitator?
I am passionate about connecting people to different resources and networks that can help them to continue to grow professionally and develop best practices within our field. Through serving as a Community and Content Facilitator, I hope to represent the needs of the membership and work to develop professional development content and platforms that represent the diverse needs of the membership while amplifying AACRAO’s mission, vision, and values.
For others looking to get involved, what is one piece of advice you can provide?
If you are looking to get involved in AACRAO, I would recommend that you start by joining committees, whether at your state/regional level or the national level. Professional Activities Committees (PAC) work is a great way to work with your peers to make a difference for the membership while also learning about the organizational structure of the association. This can be a gateway to committee leadership and other volunteer opportunities.
Meet New CCF, Jay Flynn
Tell us a little about your professional experience and previous AACRAO experience.
I have over 20 years of higher education experience that includes teaching history and geography as well as records management. I am the former registrar at Samford University in Birmingham and now work at the University of Virginia, helping to implement the Stellic degree audit system.
I have been a regular presenter at SACRAO for the past ten years and more recently at AACRAO. I also serve on the Topics in Higher Education Committee with SACRAO.
What interested you in becoming a Community and Content Facilitator?
I believe that records management is a great career where something new happens all the time. I am a strong proponent of mentoring and helping others learn the day-to-day as well as the nuances of our profession. The Community and Content Facilitator role is an exciting opportunity to both give back to an organization from which I have greatly benefited, as well as raise the tide for those early in their careers.
For others looking to get involved, what is one piece of advice you can provide?
Be not afraid! Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and to build a professional network.
Build Your Community
Join the AACRAO Exchange: Dive into discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. The CCFs are actively involved, so you might just see Katie and Jay there.
Attend AACRAO Collective Gatherings: These virtual, discussion-based sessions are open to all AACRAO members. They focus on challenges currently facing higher education professionals and are hosted on the fourth Thursday of most months (excluding July and August). They are a time to collaborate, share advice, and ask questions with your peers. Register for one of our upcoming Collective Gatherings today.
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