By Jessica Gonzalez, Assistant Registrar, Elmhurst University, AACRAO Nominations and Elections Committee
Packing my suitcase for a conference was about the last thing I wanted to do when I got home from vacation in Greece. I had just returned from a 7-day cruise of the Greek Isles and didn’t have the energy to unpack, reorganize, and repack for the AACRAO Leadership Meeting, but I did. I would have been more excited—after all, I do get excited when I get to go to the Annual Meeting—but this was my first Leadership Meeting, and I didn’t know what to expect. However, it wasn’t the first one I was invited to. This year, I completed my three-year tenure as the co-chair of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Caucus, and during those three years, I was eligible to attend the Leadership Meeting each of those years for AANHPI. So why didn’t I?
Let’s start with the reason I always gave as my stock response when asked—the Leadership Meeting usually fell on or near my birthday. This is a pretty good reason in my opinion, but I was then confronted with the fact that multiple colleagues’ birthdays have fallen during the Annual Meeting in the past, and they still go.
The more accurate reason was that I simply didn’t understand what the Leadership Meeting was or the benefit of attending.
If I did, as I do now, I would have made it a priority. After all, I make the Annual Meeting a priority. I have attended the Annual Meeting for several years, and I find the professional and personal benefits to be great enough that I would still attend even if it were on my birthday.
My goal is to share why YOU, an AACRAO member who is invited to attend the Leadership Meeting in the future, should make it a priority.
What is the AACRAO Leadership Meeting?
“The AACRAO Leadership Meeting is an in-person, invite-only leadership development convening,” according to the AACRAO website, but there’s so much hidden beneath the surface of that description.
If I were to describe it, I would say that the Leadership Meeting is an unparalleled opportunity to shape the future direction of the organization and see yourself in that future.
Who is invited to the Leadership Meeting?
I attended this year as a member of the Nominations & Elections Committee. I got to know, in person, the people that I will be working with on the committee in the months to come. But I got to know a lot of other people as well. Faces that I’ve seen in webinars, bylines on Connect articles, and presenters at the Annual Meeting. Truly, the people who want the best for AACRAO and think about the organization’s future. It has to be said that the invite list is based on specific roles, but the list is encompassing and not limited to the “top brass” or most seasoned members. You may think that this group does not include you, but everyone has the opportunity to be a leader in AACRAO.
Why should I attend if I am invited?
This is the question I wish I had asked three years ago. My answer to my past self is that AACRAO needs its members to be involved in order to provide the services that we all benefit from. Love the “Ask the FERPA Professor” webinars? The AACRAO publications? The monthly Caucus Gatherings? Maybe you just like knowing you’re not crazy and other institutions are experiencing the same thing? It’s nice to sit back and imagine all of that runs on its own, but it’s the members who make it possible. The members who care above and beyond the norm are the ones who become leaders. The Leadership Meeting isn’t just a time for the AACRAO “elite” to rub elbows but rather an opportunity to develop the emerging leadership of the organization.
Still not convinced? That’s ok, I brought backup.
“I was blown away by the energy in the room. These are the people who make events like the Annual Meeting possible, and it became so clear that shared passion for the profession and love for the AACRAO community is what powers our work.” —Anthony Cole, M.S., Registrar, College of Saint Mary
“Representing as both Co-Chair of Volunteers and Vice Chair of LGBTQIA+ Caucus Engagement at the recent AACRAO Leadership Meeting was a tremendous opportunity to network and discuss critical updates impacting higher education and our students. It is always incredibly beneficial to learn and grow alongside fellow members, especially while gaining valuable insights into AACRAO’s updated website, the North Star initiative, and their broader strategic plan.” —Vinh Tu, Senior Director of Enrollment and Student Engagement, New School of Architecture & Design
“Leadership gives me the opportunity to connect with other colleagues that most care about the future of AACRAO. The opportunities we have to brainstorm and collaborate over those two days are invaluable to creating the most beneficial content and resources for our members. Having that dedicated time to really stop and think makes it worthwhile.” —Kelsey Simonson, Ed.D., Registrar, Harvard University
“Attending the AACRAO Leadership Meeting has been one of the most valuable professional development experiences for me. I leave each meeting with timely updates that directly impact my day-to-day work, meaningful connections with colleagues, and practical insights from leaders facing many of the same challenges. The meetings also provide a supportive environment where I can discuss concerns openly and gain strategies for effectively communicating the value of our work to campus leaders who may not fully understand the role of the Registrar.” —Deborah Flynn, Sr. Associate Registrar/Director of Academic Operations, Claremont McKenna College
“AACRAO Leadership Meeting is an investment in professional growth, collaboration, and the future of higher education. I always leave with new ideas, stronger professional connections, and a renewed appreciation for the important work we do to support students and our institutions. One of the greatest benefits is the opportunity to connect with professionals who are navigating many of the same challenges and opportunities within their institutions. Those conversations help validate our work, provide new perspectives, and reinforce the meaningful impact we have on student success and institutional effectiveness. It is reassuring to know that while each institution is unique, many of the issues we face are shared across higher education.” —Carrie Jeffers, Ph. D.
“The Leadership meeting is an opportunity to connect, network and plan for next year’s Annual Meeting alongside Program Committee members, Professional Activities Committee chairs/vice-chairs, Caucus chairs, Content coordinators, State and Regional leaders, and AACRAO staff. Additionally, AACRAO and federal updates are provided by the AACRAO staff. This two-day event is a highlight that I look forward to attending each year, which I have been fortunate to attend the last eight years.” —Chris Huang, Vice President for Academic Systems and Completion Strategy, Ivy Tech Community College
In conclusion…
I wish I could go back in time and tell myself to attend the Leadership Meeting all three of those years that I missed, but I can’t. The best I can do is share with other people who are unsure about attending that this is a fantastic opportunity, not only for personal and professional growth, but to shape the future of AACRAO. I don’t know the next time I’ll be invited again, but I do know that when it happens, I’ll be excited to pack my suitcase.
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