By Autumn Walden, Editor, AACRAO Connect, Content Strategy Manager, AACRAO
When AACRAO issued a call for its next Parliamentarian, the goal was to identify a member willing to help steward one of the Association’s most important governance functions. Following that search, AACRAO is pleased to welcome Tiffany Blackwell,Dean of Enrollment Pathways at Tri-County Technical College, as its incoming Parliamentarian.
Blackwell assumed the role following the 111th AACRAO Annual Meeting in April 2026. As Parliamentarian, she will help ensure the AACRAO governance processes remain transparent, orderly, and responsive to member participation, particularly during the Annual Meeting Business Session.
For Blackwell, the opportunity represents both a chance to give back to the profession and to deepen her understanding of association leadership. In the conversation below, she reflects on what drew her to the role, what she hopes to learn from the experience, and why governance service can be a valuable pathway for professional growth and engagement within the AACRAO community.
What initially sparked your interest in serving as AACRAO’s Parliamentarian, and what motivated you to apply for the role at this point in your career?
Blackwell: My interest in serving as AACRAO Parliamentarian grew from a longstanding appreciation for how effective governance supports strong, mission-driven organizations. Throughout my involvement with AACRAO, I’ve been inspired by the intentionality behind its decision-making structures and the care taken to ensure all voices are heard. At this point in my career, I felt both ready and eager to contribute at a deeper level—bringing my experience and perspective to help support transparent, consistent, and well-informed governance practices across the association.
As you step into this position, what are you most excited to learn—either about AACRAO’s governance or about parliamentary procedure more broadly?
Blackwell: I’m especially excited to deepen my understanding of the AACRAO governance framework in action—how policies, procedures, and the organization intersect to guide decision-making. There’s a unique opportunity in this role to both learn and translate that learning into guidance that helps meetings run smoothly and inclusively.
What skills or perspectives from your professional background do you see translating most directly into this role?
Blackwell: My professional background has required me to navigate complex systems, interpret policy, and communicate clearly across diverse audiences. I regularly work in environments where balancing structure with flexibility is a key skill that aligns closely with the role of Parliamentarian. Additionally, my experience collaborating with cross-functional teams has strengthened my ability to listen, synthesize differing perspectives, and support fair and thoughtful outcomes, all of which are essential in this role.
How do you see serving as Parliamentarian contributing to your own professional development or leadership growth?
Blackwell: Serving as Parliamentarian offers a meaningful opportunity to grow as a leader by sharpening my ability to guide process, foster clarity, and support equitable participation. It will challenge me to think more strategically about the broader organizational impact of decision-making. I also see this role as a chance to strengthen my confidence in advising leadership and contributing to high-level discussions with both precision and diplomacy.
For members who may be curious about governance but unsure where to start, what advice would you give about getting involved in roles like this?
Blackwell: My advice would be to start by getting engaged in ways that feel approachable, whether that’s volunteering for a committee, attending governance-related sessions, or simply asking questions about how decisions are made. Governance can seem complex from the outside, but it becomes much more accessible through involvement. Building relationships, staying curious, and being willing to learn are the most important first steps. Opportunities like this often grow from consistent engagement and a genuine interest in contributing to the organization’s mission.
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