Anthony Johnson SEM Plenary Speaker

Anthony Johnson

LGBTQ2S+, Two-Spirit and Diversity Expert

Anthony Johnson is a Two-Spirit Keynote Speaker, LGBTQ2S+ Advocate, and ED&I Expert. Before moving to Canada, Anthony worked as a community outreach personnel specializing in working with others on their personal challenges related to mental health and self identity. He has also worked as a consultant and contractor for First Nation Communities specializing in community reinvention, community restoration, and healing.

Anthony now uses his powerful story to bring awareness for LGBTQ & Indigenous Equality, and his artistic way to approach each event helps bring audiences new learning opportunities for them to reflect on and implement in their lives.

 

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Caroline Casagrande

Deputy Asst. Secretary for Academic Programs, Bureau of Ed. and Cultural Exchanges, DOS

Caroline Casagrande is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The programs supported by her office include: Fulbright Scholarships, Humphrey Fellowships, Gilman Scholarships, overseas American Spaces, undergraduate exchanges, teacher exchanges, the promotion of U.S. higher education overseas and study abroad for Americans, and English and foreign language study programs.

Previously, Ms. Casagrande served as the Special Advisor to ECA Assistant Secretary Marie Royce, providing senior-level advice on the formulation of public diplomacy programming to support the National Security Strategy. She has led new initiatives on a broad range of educational and cultural exchange programming to support global women’s economic empowerment, religious freedom, and countering state-sponsored disinformation.

A life-long public servant, Ms. Casagrande served in the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 11th and 12th Legislative Districts from 2008 to 2016, rising to Deputy Republican Leader. She is the youngest woman assembly member ever elected in New Jersey, and a member of the first all-female delegation to represent a New Jersey Legislative District. Prior to serving in the New Jersey Assembly, she was a partner in the law firm of Menna, Supko & Casagrande in Shrewsbury, NJ. She has served as township attorney and special counsel for municipalities throughout New Jersey. Ms. Casagrande served as Director of the Young Women’s Leadership Institute from 2010-2016, which she developed to expose high school seniors to careers in public service. She has been an honorary fellow of Rutgers University’s Eagleton Institute of Politics since 2015. She is an exchange alumna, having participated both as an American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) delegate to Nepal in 2010 and as an ACYPL fellowship recipient at the East-West Center in 2015 from where she traveled to India as part of a delegation of young parliamentarians.

A New Jersey native, Ms. Casagrande holds a J.D. from Rutgers School of Law – Camden and a B.S. in political science from Pennsylvania State University. While in college, Ms. Casagrande interned in the new democratic government of South Africa.

Emma Miller, Ph.D.

South Texas College

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Sarah Kessler

Associate Registrar, University of Georgia

Sarah has a demonstrated history of working in higher education to increase accuracy and efficiency. She has been the Associate Registrar for Academic Student Record Support Services at the University of Georgia since 2017. Sarah came to UGA from Youngstown State University, where she was the Associate Director of Records in the Office of the Registrar for 5.5 years. She began her higher education career at Western Kentucky University in 2006 in Graduate Studies and Research.

Over the years, Sarah has participated in state and regional AACRAO organizations in Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, the Southeast, and Great Lakes. Sarah became a member of the Women’s Caucus in 2021 and has been Co-Chair for Professional Activities, Vice-Chair, and is currently serving as the Chair. Sarah would like the Women’s Caucus to continue to host webinars and other events to provide timely content that can empower caucus members.

Sarah earned her undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Arts in Political Science at Texas A&M University.

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Dr. Jeff Von Munkwitz-Smith

Senior Consultant at AACRAO

Dr. Jeffrey von Munkwitz-Smith has over 40 years of higher education experience in University Registrar functions, enrollment management, and as a faculty member. He is a past president of AACRAO and past Editor-in-chief of AACRAO’s College and University journal.
 
Dr. von Munkwitz-Smith retired from Boston University as Assistant Vice President and University Registrar. He expanded the role of the department in academic policy development, oversight of the University Bulletin, and in transfer credit evaluation. He led efforts to renovate classrooms and improve teaching and learning spaces.
 
Dr. von Munkwitz-Smith previously served as University Registrar and Director of Summer Programs at the University of Connecticut. He led efforts to implement new student systems and improved services to students and faculty. He was chair of the University’s Retention and Graduation Task Force.
 
As Director of Summer Programs, he better aligned course offerings with student needs and significantly increased the amount of revenue generated for the academic enterprise. Dr. von Munkwitz-Smith was a core member of space planning and academic facilities construction committees. He previously served in a variety of positions at the University of Minnesota.
 
Dr. von Munkwitz-Smith served on the Board of Directors of the College and University Machine Records Conference (CUMREC), the Program Committee for the first Educause conference and on the Educause Professional Development Committee. He was Director of the AACRAO Technology Conference and chaired the AACRAO working group on professional competencies and proficiencies. He has been a frequent presenter on technology in student services, retention and graduation, FERPA, and space planning and management. He has been published in Business Officer, College and University, and Educause Quarterly.
 
Dr. von Munkwitz-Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religious Studies from Macalester College and a Doctor of Philosophy in South Asian Languages from the University of Minnesota.
 

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Rob Shomaker

Senior Vice President, CUPA-HR

Rob Shomaker is the senior vice president for The College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR). Initially hired as a database manager in 2003, Rob was the first hire in Knoxville, Tennessee after CUPA-HR moved from Washington, D.C. As CUPA-HR has grown and evolved, Rob has grown along with the organization and has subsequently been promoted 5 times. He has served in a vice president role since 2011. Currently, he oversees an incredible team who drive membership, communications and marketing, conferences and events, research, IT, accounting, and partner management for the organization. He is also involved with multiple national board committees and is regularly engaged in the financial, budgetary, and strategic direction of the association. Rob serves as an External Board Member in the AACRAO Board of Directors. Rob has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, an MBA from East Tennessee State University, holds multiple certifications, and is an Eagle Scout. He is also a member of the knox.biz 40 Under 40 class of 2019. When he isn’t having fun with his CUPA-HR colleagues, Rob can be found playing with his two little girls, wrenching on an old car, or engaged in the community through his service with various local nonprofits.

Andrew M. Frazier, Ed.D.

Vice President for Student Life at Johnson University

Andrew M. Frazier, Ed.D., is Vice President for Student Life at Johnson University in Knoxville, TN, where he is also Adjunct Instructor, teaching courses in First-Year Cornerstone, Senior Capstone, and Biblical Studies. Previously, he was university registrar. He has served at Johnson University since 2013 with experience in the Office of Admissions, the Registrar’s Office, and now the Student Life Office. He earned his Doctor of Education degree through the University of New England in Educational Leadership, wherein he focused his dissertation on the role academic advising played in the student success of first generation college student seniors. His research interests include higher education leadership, student success initiatives, student community development, academic advising, and the intersection of faith-based values in educational formation.

Reimagining the Registrar: Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships 

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Paul H. Anderson (1936-2022)

Associate Dean and University Registrar Emeritus


Paul H. Anderson, Associate Dean and University Registrar Emeritus at Furman University, died on April 19, 2022 of natural causes, in his home. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Bobbi, his sons Paul Andrew Anderson Esq. and his wife Kristina of Aiken, South Carolina, Dr. Sean Anderson of Ithaca, New York and his buddy, granddaughter Kalypso of East Calais, Vermont.

Paul is remembered for his dedicated principles and ability to resolve issues before they became problems along with his good humor and amazing work ethic.  Early in his time at Furman he was proud to work with Joe Williams and the basketball team as the team academic advisor and free-throw guru. He was also proud to be the softball pitcher for the (Furman) Gators, a champion intramural softball team until he was in his mid 50s.  He golfed badly with the Purple and White but loved the camaraderie.  He loved his family first, but sports were up near the top – “Go Phillies!”

Paul illustrious leadership career commenced with his election as President of the  Middle States Association of Admissions Officers and Registrars (MSACRAO 1974-75), Carolinas Association of Admissions Officers and Registrars (CACRAO 1987-88), the Southern States Association of Admissions Officers and Registrars (SACRAO 1990-91), and ultimately President of the American Association of Collegiate Admissions Officers and Registrars (AACRAO 1998-99) where he was instrumental in guiding AACRAO during a turbulent time in the organization. Among the many well-deserved awards included: 1975 MSACRAO Honorary Membership, 1992 CACARO Chris Murphy Award of Excellence, 1999 AACRAO’s prestigious APEX Award for Student Success, 2000 CACRAO Zaire McCoy Honorary Membership, 2001 SACRAO Distinguished Service and Honorary Membership and 2001 AACRAO Honorary Membership.

Paul’s advocacy and commitment to help others is extended by his family’s wishes to direct any honorariums and donations to the World Central Kitchen that provide meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises, most recently Ukraine. To donate in Paul H. Anderson’s name https://donate.wck.org/give/396273/#!/donation/checkout

 

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David Paltza

Peer Mentor Coordinator - AACRAO

David has served in higher education literally from coast to coast (from Los Angeles, CA to Richmond, VA) for over 15 years, in leadership for admissions, records, student advising, and institutional effectiveness. Before that, he worked in financial advising and business analysis, thus enjoys bringing an eye for efficiency, innovation, and org-wide change.

He has been involved with AACRAO over the past decade, as a co-chair of committees, presenter, and Community and Content Facilitator, as well as regional ACRAOs including PACRAO, RMACRAO, IACRAO, SACRAO, and VACRAO. With his B.S. in Business Management and M.S. in Organizational Psychology, he is now pursuing his EdD in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation and hopes to empower his AACRAO colleagues as much as they empower him.

Simply put, David’s driving passion is to invest in others toward their passions. For this reason, he is also a certified strengths coach and career advisor, consulting for individuals and organizations in L&D and DEI, including businesses, churches, and community groups. He has been privileged to travel across 12 countries, and 4 continents to serve with orphanages, churches, rehab centers, and schools for practical and spiritual outreach, education, leadership training, and micro-enterprise development.

In between these activities, he enjoys mixed martial arts, music composition, OCRs (obstacle course races), and sushi. David welcomes anyone to connect with him for networking and peer development!

John Dailey

Chief of Police at Duke University

John Dailey is Chief of Police at Duke University. He served as a U.S. Army officer after graduating from Wake Forest University. He was the assistant police chief at N.C State University and has been the police chief for Duke University and the Duke University Hospitals since 2009. Dailey earned his M.P.A. form N.C. State and a graduate certificate in community preparedness and disaster management from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Travel Prepared and Travel Well: Advice for New (and Experienced) Admissions Professionals

Rick Clark

Assistant Vice Provost, ED, Undergraduate Admissions, Georgia Institute of Technology

Rick Clark is Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a member NACAC’s Committee on Leadership in College Admission, and past chair of both the national Government Relations Committee and Georgia Tech’s Staff Council. Over the last six years, he has written a regular blog on the college admissions process, and last year began The College Admission Brief, a podcast for students considering or applying to college. He is the co-author of both the book and workbook The Truth about College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting In and Staying Together.

Travel Prepared and Travel Well: Advice for New (and Experienced) Admissions Professionals

Andy Altizer

Emergency Manager, Westminster Schools

Andy Altizer is the Emergency Manager at Westminster Schools in Atlanta.  He previously served as the director of emergency management at Kennesaw State University for seven years, director of emergency preparedness at the Georgia Institute of Technology for eight years, and the critical infrastructure protection manager at Georgia Emergency Management for more than four years. Altizer also served in the U.S. Army as an active-duty artillery officer, and various positions in the reserve component, including returning to active duty in 2002 and serving in Afghanistan as an inspector general.

Travel Prepared and Travel Well: Advice for New (and Experienced) Admissions Professionals

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Kristin Albright Waters, Ed.D.

Chief Enrollment Officer and Registrar at Bank Street College of Education

Kristin Albright Waters, Ed.D., currently serves as the Chief Enrollment Officer and Registrar at Bank Street College of Education in New York, NY. In her role, she is responsible for implementing and managing the one stop enrollment center, enrollment management, and registrar services. Before her time Bank Street, Kristin served as the director of enrollment services at BMCC and implemented the college’s first one stop enrollment center. Before moving to New York, Kristin served UMBC as both an associate director of admissions and assistant registrar for enrollment and scheduling. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Millersville University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts in Education from Virginia Tech, a Master of Business Administration from Capitol College, and a Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership from Frostburg State University. 

Teleworking: How Understanding its History Will Benefit Institutions Today

Jake D. Winfield

Temple University

Jake D. Winfield recently completed his Ph.D. in Policy and Organizational Studies at Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development. Prior to graduate studies, he taught high school math in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas and Phoenix, Arizona. His research interests center the intersection of community-university relationships.

Burnout and Working Conditions in Higher Education During COVID-19: Recommendations for Policy and Practice

Exploring Institutional Rationales for Holistic Review in Graduate Admissions

Kathy Callies

University Registrar at Dakota State University

Kathy Callies is University Registrar at Dakota State University in Madison, SD. With a break of fifteen years during which she worked with rural development projects and organizations in 32 states and fourteen countries, Callies is launching her 30th year in the Office of the Registrar. She has served as president for UMACRAO in addition to roles with other professional organizations. She acknowledges the benefits and experiences she has gained from working with colleagues and friends.

Becoming a Great Boss: It Looks Easy Enough, but Is It?

Jeff Weber

Assistant Program Director for the University Transfer Office at Indiana University

Jeff Weber has more than 30 years of experience in higher education policy and research. He is known for his acumen on transfer policy, transfer articulation for degrees, and the analysis finesse for application to students. He currently serves as the university-wide Assistant Program Director for the University Transfer Office at Indiana University. His scope of expertise spans propriety education, state level work, and higher education, allowing him to facilitate transfer and academic programs review.

A Challenge to Self-fulfilling Systems: Recognizing Transfer Currency, Exposing Equivalencies, and Tracking Outcomes

Jordan Binkowitz

Student Researcher, Elon University

Jordan Binkowitz is a senior undergraduate student at Elon University. During the summer of 2021, Binkowitz was selected for Elon’s Student Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), designed to enhance learning opportunities for students while encouraging collaboration in learning and research between faculty and students. Under the mentorship of Dr. Rodney Parks, Binkowitz conducted this qualitative study to better understand how students communicate co-curricular and academic experiences to employers. 

Communicating Experiential Learning to Employers

Angela C. Lofaro, Ph.D.

Senior Admissions Operations Specialist at Seton Hall University

Angela C. Lofaro, Ph.D., is the Senior Admissions Operations Specialist at Seton Hall University. She has more than a decade of experience working in higher education, specifically in the admissions field. Dr. Lofaro earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Leadership, Management, and Policy from Seton Hall University in 2021. She also holds a Bachelor of Science from Seton Hall University in Diplomacy and International Relations, as well as a Master of Public and International Affairs degree from the University of Pittsburgh. 

The Growth of the Test-Optional Movement: Analysis of Test-Optional Admissions Policies in American Higher Education

 

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James Goldberg

Principal, Goldberg & Associates, PLLC

James Goldberg is a principal in the Washington, DC law firm of Goldberg & Associates, PLLC.  His practice focuses on representing trade associations, professional societies and other types of nonprofit organizations providing advice on issues such as governance, taxation and contract review and management.  He is outside counsel to AACRAO.  Jim received his undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and his law degree from The George Washington University.

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Alejandro Ruiz-Dasilva

California State University – Fresno, Student and High School Ambassador