By Faith Farley, Government Relations Intern, AACRAO
Interested in being involved in federal policy? We’re seeking new members for the AACRAO Public Policy Advisory Group. The PPAG, for short, is crucial to the association’s advocacy success. The group provides an essential practitioner perspective on emerging legislation and public policy matters and serves as a practical resource to the AACRAO Executive Director and Government Relations team as we craft responses to proposed legislation or regulation.
The PPAG was a significant asset for the AACRAO Government Relations team on key issues in 2025.
Homeschooling: The Home School Graduation Recognition Act ( H.R. 6392), introduced by Rep Mark Harris. A staffer for the House Committee on Education and the Workforce reached out to us with an urgent question about how universities treat homeschool diplomas for admissions and financial aid. AACRAO Executive Director Melanie Gottlieb and a member of PPAG joined a last-minute call to discuss the staffer’s question, just before the Committee voted unanimously (33-0) to pass the bill. The political system moves quickly, so having practitioners and experts ready to assist AACRAO and our congressional connections is essential to furthering the organization’s policy priorities.
Privacy: The PPAG helped elevate issues occurring on their campuses to the GR team. For instance, California AB-566, a new state privacy law requiring internet browsers to include a functionality where consumers can opt out of having their personal info collected and sold, with potential implications for higher ed. Our diverse AACRAO membership is represented by PPAG, with group members from different institution types and a wide array of expertise areas, who weigh in on upcoming policy and legislation to inform AACRAO and Congressional Office decisions.
What’s It Like to Be a Part of the PPAG?
PPAG is open to all AACRAO members, with the goal of reflecting the wide array of professional experience and the association’s diverse membership. Areas of expertise may include admissions, enrollment services, financial aid, access and equity, serving veterans and service members, community colleges, graduate and professional education, competency-based education, credit for prior learning, and others.
The group comprises 12 members, each serving a three-year term. Appointments are staggered so that each year, four individuals complete their term and four new members are added. After their term finishes, individuals must be removed from the group and wait at least one year before re-applying.
PPAG members are expected to attend quarterly meetings, actively contribute to group discussions that foster community, and create a collegial environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing. While the time spent on PPAG varies widely, members can expect to spend roughly one hour per month on the group.
AACRAO Hill Day: A Major Highlight of Public Policy Involvement
Members of PPAG, like all AACRAO Members, are encouraged to apply for Hill Day and the Annual Meeting as they are able. In 2025, three members of PPAG joined, and one of the issues they advocated for was the reintroduction of the Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act.
Since Hill Day, we have continued to engage with Congressional offices and are happy to share that Rep. Joe Neguse has since introduced the bill in the 119th Congress as H.R. 6886. Thanks to the PPAG members’ advocacy efforts to share their practitioner perspective on the Hill, congressional offices pursued legislation that AACRAO supports.
Applications Are Open Now
Apply by Friday, March 6, 2026. Applications require a login to the AACRAO Community to access the AACRAO Exchange volunteer page. Review the login FAQs.
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