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Monterey Sims

Director, Admissions and Evaluation, University of Phoenix

Working in the Office of Admissions and Records at the University of Phoenix for nearly 30 years has enabled me to connect with a wide array of process optimization opportunities and technology implementations. I currently serve as the Director of Admissions and Evaluation overseeing centralized document processing services for the University. Our division has been recognitions for our efficiency, accountability, and innovative spirit from multiple sources:

recognitions

  • 2009 Credentials Spirit of Innovation Award - EDI transmissions

  • 2013 Southwest Alliance for Excellence (SWAE) Showcase in Excellence Award - Transcript Acquisition Process

  • 2013 Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council (PESC) Best Practices Award - Electronic Transcript Acquisition Process

I have experience in information governance, process improvement, project management, lean six sigma, scaled agile, enterprise content management, and electronic data exchange.

I am passionate about giving back to the higher education community through volunteer work:

present

  • AACRAO Standardization of Postsecondary Education Electronic Data Exchange (SPEEDE) Committee, Chair

  • Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council (PESC) Board of Directors, Vice Chair.

  • Pacific Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (PACRAO) Board of Directors,

  • Business Partner Liaison (BPL)

  • ArmyIgnitEd Education Institution (EI) Advisory Board

  • eTrans California Steering Committee

  • Various transcript service provider pilot initiatives

past

  • AACRAO SPEEDE Committee

  • AACRAO Nominations and Elections Committee

  • AACRAO Co-Chair of Volunteers (aka Local Arrangements Committee)

  • AACRAO Awards Committee. 

  • PACRAO Program Committee

  • PACRAO Local Arrangement Committee Chair

  • Parchment Advisory Board

I am driven to move our industry and association forward in our use of technology to improve student outcomes, student mobility and institutional efficiency.

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James Feigert, Ed.D.

Registrar, Saddleback College

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Sarah Leibrandt Ph.D.

Senior Research Analyst, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education

Sarah Leibrandt, PhD is a Senior Research Analyst for the Policy Analysis and Research Unit at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.  She currently leads a project funded by Lumina Foundation and Strada Education Network on understanding the current landscape related to recognition of prior learning.  During her time at WICHE, Leibrandt has played a key role in the Multistate Longitudinal Data Exchange, facilitating the exchange of education and workforce data within and across states.  She has also worked on projects with a focus on improving educational outcomes for minority, low-income, and adult students.   Prior to joining WICHE, she worked for the Colorado Department of Education and Red Rocks Community College.  Sarah earned a Ph.D. in Education Policy from University of Colorado Boulder and a Bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College. 

Rhonda K. Kitch, Ph.D.

University Registrar at Cornell University

2022-2023 President

Rhonda Kitch is the University Registrar at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She has served students in higher education for over two decades, ranging from experiences in residence life, financial aid, retention and student success efforts, admission, a career and advising resource center, and for the last 16+ years, registration and records. Dr. Kitch has been an active member of AACRAO and Upper Midwest ACRAO, presenting and serving in a variety of roles in both organizations. She is the past President of the AACRAO Board of Directors. 

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Jack Miner

AACRAO Past President; Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at University of Cincinnati

Jack Miner is the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management for the University of Cincinnati.  He joined UC after 28 years with Ohio State University where he was most recently University Registrar and Executive Director of Enrollment Services.  Jack serves as President of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and Secretary of the McConnell Arts Center Board of Directors.  Jack has worked at the state and national level as an advocate for student access focusing on access for under-represented students. 

Sean McTighe

Executive Director, Title IV Compliance & Data Intake, National Student Clearinghouse

Sean McTighe is the Executive Director, Title IV Compliance & Data Intake Operations, at the National Student Clearinghouse. He has been with the Clearinghouse for 14 years and oversees the Clearinghouse’s Data Excellence, Data Integrity & Operations, and Audit Resource Center teams responsible for ensuring timely and accurate compliance reporting for 3,600+ participating colleges and universities. In addition, Sean’s teams serve the student loan community, including student loan lenders, servicers, and guarantors by providing and enhancing services related to the timely and accurate exchange of education data. Sean works with the Federal Student Aid, the National Student Loan Data System, the Clearinghouse’s external advisory committees, and the Clearinghouse’s technology teams to continuously improve existing services and ensure their compliance applications meet the ever-evolving regulatory standards and guidance issued by the Department of Education.

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Paul Taylor

Former AACRAO President and Business Development Manager, National Student Clearinghouse

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Samantha Hanson

Product Manager, National Student Clearinghouse

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Matt Stinson

Director, Higher Education, Parchment

Matt has worked in ed tech his entire career, and I guess you can say it runs in his blood. His mother is an administrator at a New Jersey community college and his grandmother was a longtime public school teacher and professor in NY State. Matt lives in Washington, DC and when he isn’t spending time with his Parchment family, he enjoys cooking and getting outdoors for hikes with his wife and dog. He is a proud graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.

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Dr. Geoffrey H. Young

Senior Director, Student Affairs and Programs, AAMC

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Suzanne Ortega

President, CGS

Suzanne Ortega became the sixth President of the Council of Graduate Schools on July 1, 2014. Prior to assuming her current position, she served as the University of North Carolina (UNC) Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs (2011-14). Previous appointments include the Executive Vice President and Provost at the University of New Mexico (UNM), Vice Provost and Graduate Dean at the University of Washington (UW), and the University of Missouri (MU). Dr. Ortega's masters and doctoral degrees in sociology were completed at Vanderbilt University. 

With primary research interests in mental health epidemiology, health services, race and ethnic relations, and graduate education, Dr. Ortega is the author or co-author of numerous journal articles, book chapters, and an introductory sociology text, now in its 9th edition. An award-winning teacher, Dr. Ortega has also served on review panels for National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health and has been the principal investigator or co-investigator on grants totaling more than $11 million in private foundation and federal funds. Dr. Ortega serves, or has served, on a number of professional association boards and committees, including the boards of the Council of Graduate Schools, the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), the National Academies Committees on the Assessment of the Research Doctorate and Revitalizing Graduate STEM Education for the 21st Century, the NSF Human Resources Expert Panel and Education and Human Resources Advisory Committee, the North Carolina E-learning Commission, and the UNC, UNM, and UW Presses. She currently is a member of the Board of Trustees of American University in the Emirates.

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Roslyn Perry

Registrar & Associate Dean of Records at Allegheny College

Bio

Roslyn is the Registrar & Associate Dean of Records at Allegheny College and has been in the higher education profession for over 25 years.  She has been a member of AACRAO since 2007 and has been presenting at AACRAO conferences since 2016. Roslyn has board membership in the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), currently serving as Vice President for Access and Equity.

Roslyn began working as a registrar professional in 2011 when she was hired as the Director of Student Records at the Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.  From there, she went on to serve in various registrar-related roles including Assistant Registrar for Academic Records, College Registrar, Manager of Admissions and Records and University Registrar, as well as Associate Registrar for Eligibility and Testing Services at The Ohio State University and Associate Registrar for Student Success at Capital University. Roslyn earned a BA in Individual and Family Studies from Kent State University, as well as a MEd in Community Health Education from Cleveland State University.

In addition, Roslyn has been an active presenter, co-presenter, panelist, and round table contributor during AACRAO meetings including: 

  • “Prepping for Promotion, The Journey and Beyond” with Past AACRAO President Brad Myers, in contribution toward the professional growth and mentorship of AACRAO membership.  
  • “The Struggle is Real…Streamlining Services for URM Students. 
  • Current and Emerging Issues in Student Access and Equity
  • “Prepping for Promotion, my Journey”
  • Growing future Registrars
  • Black Women Leaders Managing Work-Life Balance
  • ICYMI:  First Time Attendees’ Information Session, co-presented with Sasha Suzuki
  • First Time Attendee Wrap-Up, co-presented with Sasha Suzuki

AACRAO Role: Vice President for Access and Equity - Board of Directors

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Mark Hommerding

President, American Photo Marketing

For the past 14 years, I have been attending AACRAO and AACRAO-affiliated meetings. I love this organization and its mission. I am both honored and humbled to be a recipient of the AACRAO Centennial Award. I met my wife of 32 years at the University of Pennsylvania. At that time, the registrar might have reviewed my transcript and said, “Oh look, Mark has used every letter available on the transcript: from A to F, a P and a bunch of I’s (for incomplete)." Degree auditing was made for people like me. 

I originally came to AACRAO as a vendor. I earn my living by serving those who work to put on college commencement ceremonies. Over the years, clients and colleagues have become friends. I love serving the organization with photography and hosting vendor sessions that are designed to help with professional development. Currently I am the North American Sales and Marketing Coordinator for GradPak and the President of American Photo Marketing, an event-based photography company. I plan on coming back to AACRAO for years to come.

 

Brian Bates

Mr. Brian Bates is a senor evaluator at GCE West. Recently the Vice President for Admissions and Student Affairs at the prestigious Thunderbird, The Gavin School of International Management. Mr. Bates is a recognized expert in credential evaluations. He has held leadership positions in AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) and NAFSA ( Association of International Educators), of which Mr. Bates is a life member.

Gloria Nathanson

Associate Director, Undergraduate Admissions and Relations with Schools

Gloria Nathanson is Associate Director for Undergraduate Admission and Relations with Schools at UCLA. Her position at UCLA focuses on coordination of international selection, development of recruitment and marketing publications, organization budget and planning, policy development, and special project oversight and management. She also participates in University of California system-wide policy and planning committees including undergraduate international admission at the UC campuses.

Gloria has been an active member of AACRAO and NAFSA, serving as AACRAO Vice President for International Education from 2000 to 2003. She has written numerous publications on international admission and given presentations at regional, national, and international conferences.

Gloria holds a BA in Music from UCLA, and an Executive Management Diploma, UCLA Anderson School of Management.

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Dr. Laura Parson

 

Laura Parson is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education. Her Ph.D. is in Teaching & Learning, Higher Education from the University of North Dakota. Additionally, she has a MEd in Adult Education from Westminster College with a certification in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL). Dr. Parson's research interests focus on identifying the institutional practices, processes, and discourses that coordinate the experiences of women and underrepresented groups in higher education, explored through a critical lens. Her areas of research include Women in Higher Education, STEM in Higher Education, and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). Dr. Parson is a qualitative methodologist, with a focus on ethnographic and discourse methods of inquiry; her research questions seek to understand how pedagogy, classroom climate, institutional environment, curriculum, and faculty characteristics inform student experiences, and how the institution coordinates those factors through translocal practices.
 

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Maria Kostavasili

 

Maria Kostavasili was born and raised in Greece and has over 15 years of experience training, supervising, and mentoring a diverse workforce in international higher education and military environments. As the spouse of a retired American military member, she has learned to size up her environment and quickly adapt. Having moved frequently, she understands the importance of learning to work with people from all over the world and effectively integrating as an able team member.

Maria holds a bachelor’s degree in Humanities and a master’s in Public Administration and she speaks multiple languages. She worked for University of Maryland University College in Europe initially as an Academic Advisor and later as the Associate Director for Academic Advising, responsible for student advising and evaluating students’ foreign credentials over Europe and the Middle East.

Maria joined the Fulbright Association in July of 2017 as a volunteer Senior Travel Fellow. In her role, she assisted the Travel Task Force committee in developing trips for the Fulbright alumni and Fulbright friends, including planning, developing, administering, and successfully executing a service, educational trip in Greece in May 2019.

Since summer 2017 she has worked for AACRAO as an International Education Evaluator, focusing primarily on student applications from China, India, Greece, and Cyprus.

 

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Nancy Keteku

Nancy Keteku, originally from Massachusetts, has lived in Ghana since 1976. She has directed the U.S. Embassy's Educational Advising Center in Accra since 1990 and has served as the Department of State's Regional Educational Advising Coordinator for Sub-Saharan Africa. Regional Educational Advising Coordinators are responsible for promoting increased enrollment of African students in U.S. higher education. She travels throughout Africa and represents the region's interests in publications and conference presentations. Nancy holds a Bachelor's degree from Vassar College, and her first taste of international education took place at Leningrad State University in 1971.