By Kristi Wold-McCormick
Cassandra Moore is the Director of Admissions and Enrollment Development at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland. She has worked at every level of college admissions, but her passion for first-generation college students led her to community colleges. She has been an active member of AACRAO and is the Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors.
Wold-McCormick: Many people know Cassandra Moore the leader, student advocate, and champion of equity and inclusion; however, they may not know Cassandra the person or your professional journey. Tell us about your background and how you rose in your profession.
Moore: I certainly did not grow up thinking I would be an admissions professional. My goal was to be a journalist and write the Great American novel. I majored in journalism at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. I have worked on a news production team for a television station, and as a business manager, researcher, and personal injury negotiator for a law firm. I have also served as a member of a Board of Education. My first job in higher education was at Minot AFB, North Dakota as a program manager for Central Michigan University. Since our move to Maryland, I have worked at every level of college admissions, graduate, undergraduate, transfer and two-year colleges, including at the University of Maryland and two community colleges.
I discovered my passion while working for community colleges, and it is first-generation college students! It was while working at the University of Maryland that I experienced professors who had children after completing their doctoral education. From the moment the children were conceived, the parents with means mapped out their journey to an Ivy League school. The children’s nannies spoke Spanish, and another service provider spoke Mandarin. All I could think about were poor children. “How will they make their way and compete with children who have so much and have had such a great head start?” I listened and learned, and began to strategize how I could convey the importance of a lifelong strategy to families who did not have the means. This is why I love working for a community college.
Wold-McCormick: What do you love most about your work?
Moore: I love what I do! As an admissions professional, I am playing a pivotal role as someone committed to facilitating access to higher education for diverse populations. This is also about opportunity because I work at an open enrollment institution. I am passionate about the equity of educational access because I take pride in the privilege of assisting first-generation, adult-learners, and dual enrollment students in making their dream of earning a college credential come true. As an admissions professional, I am keenly aware of who is and who is not enrolling in college and want to know why. To me, this broadens the definition of underserved to include any demographic not attending college. I am concerned about males not going to college. We are often the first point of contact and the boots on the ground that sets our students on a path to success. I also love being a connector for people who are unfamiliar with navigating higher education.
Wold-McCormick: Now that we’ve talked about your profession, what motivated you to get involved in AACRAO? Talk about your initial entry to the association and how your engagement and experiences evolved to your role as president on the Board of Directors.
Moore: I served on my college registrar’s search committee, and there were a few questions I couldn’t answer with confidence. I can’t stand not knowing! My favorite two words are to know or to learn. I realized I had knowledge gaps that needed to be filled. I went to my supervisor, Tom McGinn, the director of admissions at that time, and said as much. I needed to grow professionally. He said, “I am sending you to the AACRAO Annual Meeting to learn all that you can, and if you begin presenting, I will support you.” We did not have a large professional development budget. Tom gave up the right to go himself and supported me. I wrote him a thank you note including all the sessions I attended and how I plan to use that new knowledge to improve my work. I am still grateful to him for his generosity and support of my professional growth and development.
I have always been a participator and never a spectator. I quickly became involved as a member of the Student Access & Equity Committee, becoming the chair, elected as the chair of Nominations & Elections Committee, as the Group V Annual Meeting Coordinator, a member of the Awards Committee, as Vice President of Access and Equity on the AACRAO Board of Directors, and served on a workgroup focused on disciplinary history in admissions. I am a recipient of the AACRAO Thomas A. Bilger Award. I love session development and presenting, and I have always invited people who have not presented to present with me. Our presentations were about a singular subject, but the inclusion of community, four-year and graduate schools’ perspectives enriched the experience. Many who presented with me have gone on to become AACRAO leaders in their own right.
Wold-McCormick: Higher education is facing a lot of challenges right now. What do you see as the biggest challenges that have the potential to either change higher education or provide different opportunities for our roles?
Moore: Higher education is facing a lot of challenges right now from enrollment cliffs to student access to political pressures to AI, among many other things. Please know that I view challenges as an opportunity for continuous improvement.
One challenge is declining enrollment: Community, and many small regional and private colleges are highly dependent upon enrollment and will be competing for a smaller pool of traditional-aged students, leading to revenue shortfalls, mergers, and closures. The opportunity will be to focus on the engagement, communication, recruitment, advising, and enrollment of adult learners with the same energy as we have focused on traditional-aged learners and dual enrollment students.
AI is a challenge because it can automate entry-level jobs, and entry-level jobs are what most college graduates are seeking. This will call into the question the value proposition of a college degree even more. The high cost of education compared to the potential for AI to replace new graduates in the workforce is forcing a “reckoning” for the business model of higher education. I often say that we are preparing students for jobs that don’t exist, so this requires colleges to foster nimbleness and adaptability, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, the curiosity to question, and a lifelong commitment to learning.
Wold-McCormick: How do you think AACRAO can best represent our institutional members and our professions in the face of these external pressures and changes?
Moore: AACRAO has been very good to me; it’s been a great source of my professional growth. If I have a problem at my college, I go to the AACRAO Exchange, or attend sessions during the Annual Meeting or SEM and webinars to engage with colleagues who have similar experiences. Then I take what I have learned and apply it to my daily work. Members are requesting government updates. Many schools don’t often have time and resources to synthesize this information, and AACRAO does a great job of providing updates with information we can take back to our campuses to keep us informed, prepared, and compliant. Government Relations is invaluable.
If you are in a profession, even for a long time, you need to be nimble and adapt in order to implement the changes necessary to improve your work. My community college president had to attend a meeting where an agenda item was disciplinary history in admissions. My AVP reached out to me to find out if AACRAO had any guidance on the topic. I chuckled because I served on the AACRAO workgroup about this topic. I located the AACRAO guidance, wrote a synopsis, and shared it. I was able to demonstrate the value of our institution’s AACRAO membership to our senior leadership.
Member benefits are AACRAO’s national and federal advocacy, establishing voluntary standards and best practices, professional development, and research. Lastly, I want our members to think about, “What information or expertise will I not have access to that can improve my work on behalf of the institution I serve, if my institution is not a member of AACRAO?”
Wold-McCormick: When you think back over your career, particularly your higher education career, what do you view as your greatest accomplishment(s) or lessons learned?
Moore: Career-wise, my greatest accomplishments are that I fostered equity in educational access, opportunity, and building community and relationships. I wanted to ensure that marginalized or underserved populations have a clear path to educational, social, and economic upward mobility. I mentored people who did not understand how to navigate higher education because they were the first in their family to attend college.
As an AACRAO leader and member, I am proud to have come up through the ranks from committee member, committee chair, program coordinator, VP Access and Equity, and then the privilege of serving as Board president. I built a strong AACRAO foundation that prepared me for this moment. In 2025, at the Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington, I acknowledged that I had come full circle. My first AACRAO Annual Meeting was in Seattle, and I became president in Seattle.
I am proud to be intentional about nurturing leadership, especially of our members who have not been actively involved and don’t know how to begin their AACRAO journey. I have strived to be a friendly and encouraging face who recognized their gifts and how they would benefit the association, as well as benefit their institutions. I strongly encouraged their involvement and offered my assistance, whether it was session proposal development or inviting them to present a session with me. Many have gone on to become AACRAO leaders.
Wold-McCormick: Who do you consider to be your mentor or role model? How do they inspire you and what characteristics of theirs do you try to emulate?
Moore: My greatest role models were my parents, who were my greatest cheerleaders. They were cans in a world that looked at me and thought cannot! My parents often quoted Eleanor Roosevelt, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent! And I never give it!” They also taught me that the tools of moral conviction, good judgement, and strategy are a formidable threesome. This has been my road map while I have leaned heavily on my faith, which is my strength and my shield.
I have often stated that a person should surround themselves with people who will call their name in a room full of opportunities: These people are my former supervisor Thomas McGinn, Dr. Tina DeNeen, Past-Presidents Adrienne McDay, Jackie Carter, Brad Myers, Dr. Tina Falkner, and Tiffany Robinson, VP Access and Equity Roslyn Perry, CAPACRAO Founding President Steve Smith, and former VP Access and Equity Dr. Monique Snowden.
Wold-McCormick: I see you emulate those same qualities in how you parent your own kids and mentor others.
Moore: My grandmother and parents were not judgemental. I could tell them anything, make mistakes without judgement, and knew I would be loved and supported. I am the same with my children, and they feel comfortable and know they are in a safe space with me. Many of the students I engage with do not have any support. I am filled with gratitude because I am the beneficiary of loving parents, and quite frankly, great parenting. I see myself as a dreamer with one foot planted on the ground. No dream I had was ever considered silly; my parents never killed my dreams.
Wold-McCormick: I know you are very passionate about and dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. How do you foster a culture of inclusion and equity in your work and in your life?
Moore: I am an admissions professional so it is my business to foster inclusion and equity of access in our recruitment, admissions, and enrollment practices. My team and I are in a constant state of reviewing procedures and practices that create barriers to equity of access. I believe that better inclusive and equitable decisions are made when diverse voices are at the table, and I am keenly aware of who is at the table and who is not. I am also keenly aware of who is at the table, but their voices and contributions are not encouraged or welcomed when given. Visual, but not inclusive, representation is tokenism. I make sure that I provide a safe space for people to bring their authentic self to the table and voice their opinion without judgement. I state my expectation that all voices will be heard and respected. And I always pay attention to the quiet ones in the room and ask their opinions. They never disappoint.
Wold-McCormick: Outside of work and AACRAO, what brings you joy or peace? Do you have any hobbies or favorite pastimes?
Moore: I love learning. I have a growth and success mindset. At the beginning of each day, I identify one success. At the end of each day, I identify one success. It doesn’t matter if it is large or small, but it is my boost in the mornings, my sustainer during the evenings and a great promoter of a success mindset. It is important to acknowledge what is going well.
I love traveling, especially going to cities where I can walk to restaurants, museums, antique and consignment shops, and attend plays. I’m a foodie; I like good food, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. I especially enjoy hosting dinner parties for eight people who are great conversationalists. Nothing makes me happier than an invigorating conversation. I love learning and surrounding myself with people smarter than me; this greatly enriches my continuous improvement.
I am creative and artistic, and I create mixed-media works combining acrylic painting with collage techniques. I am a voracious reader, and have been a member of the Second Sunday Reading group for more than 20 years with some of the most intelligent, high-achieving women you could imagine. I have learned so much from being around these women, who have become friends and family.
Wold-McCormick: What goals did you have for your tenure as president on the Board of Directors? Do you feel you achieved those goals or did the current changing climate cause you to pivot at all over the course of the past year?
Moore: When I was elected, I heard two clear messages from many members: “Don’t forget admissions!” and “Don’t forget community colleges!” As a proud admissions and community college professional, elected by the membership to represent all members, I took these directives to heart. I also understood the significance of my election—becoming only the fifth community college professional to serve as president in AACRAO’s 115‑year history. This underscored the importance of elevating the work of admissions and community colleges and spotlighting their essential contributions to higher education and to AACRAO.
One of my key goals has been to increase admissions and community college representation and visibility within AACRAO. We are seeing meaningful signs of progress, though there is still work to be done. Participation and engagement from these groups have grown. Approximately 20 percent of our members are admissions professionals, including operations, recruitment, and international admissions. It is encouraging to witness the renewed energy and engagement. The Community College Issues PAC, led by Sun Jamerson and Chantel Black, is thriving. I am tremendously proud of the Community College Exchange community and the impact of their webinars. I am equally proud of the work led by Vice President Brenda Selman and the AACRAO office to truly put the “AO” (Admissions Officers) back in AACRAO. The Admissions and Community College Exchange communities are vibrant, with strong networking, collaborative problem‑solving, and genuine community‑building occuring.
I am also deeply aware that community colleges typically operate with limited professional development budgets. As institutional members who wish to engage in AACRAO, we must be intentional about demonstrating the return on investment. That means clearly articulating how our participation strengthens our practice and benefits our institutions. A simple but powerful step is to write a thank you letter to the person who approved your participation. Include the sessions you attended and outline how what you learned will inform improvements to your work and, ultimately, enhance the services you provide to students and your institution.
Another goal has been to strongly support AACRAO’s important advocacy in the learning‑mobility space. AACRAO is leading a learner‑centered transformation in how higher education evaluates, recognizes, and documents learning. I had the privilege of serving as a commissioner on the Learning Evaluation and Recognition for the Next Generation (LEARN) Commission, a national initiative aimed at improving credit‑evaluation policies and practices across institutions. This work resonates deeply with me. Early in my career, I worked closely with military students who had been stationed at multiple bases throughout their service. Many had taken college courses at each location, only to be required to start over at every new institution because their credits were not accepted or applied to their programs. Seeing dedicated learners lose time, money, and momentum underscored why this work matters—and why advancing equitable, portable, and learner‑friendly evaluation practices is so critical.
Meeting the moment has been one of my goals and is also very important to me. This is about adaptability, change management, and responsive leadership. There is much volatility in higher education right now. Is the association responsive enough, nimble enough, adaptive enough and have the capacity to meet the moment? To provide the support our members need? Please take a moment to review the AACRAO impact webpage. I feel confident that AACRAO is more than meeting the moment and will continue to do so. We have been highly responsive to member concerns, requests, and expectations.
Wold-McCormick: What was the most rewarding aspect of your presidency?
Moore: The most rewarding aspect of my presidency was the opportunity to learn from—and be inspired by—the incredible members who entrusted me with this role. My favorite words are to know and to learn, and this year has been filled with both. I have gained so much from the members who elected me and allowed me the privilege to serve, from my fellow Board colleagues, and from the AACRAO office leadership and staff—many of whom I have known for years as I came up through the ranks.
As a servant leader, I am deeply committed to fostering equity of access, inclusion, and meaningful engagement across our membership. Seeing members feel welcomed, seen, and empowered to participate has been immensely fulfilling. Knowing that my presidency has helped elevate voices and strengthen connections within our AACRAO community has truly been the most rewarding part of this experience.
Wold-McCormick: What keeps you up at night?
Moore: From a professional standpoint, I am navigating several intersecting challenges: the contraction of the traditional student pipeline alongside increasing competition for adult learners; the need to be strategic and innovative in identifying new markets to strengthen enrollment; and the ongoing work of guiding applicants successfully through the full enrollment journey. Additionally, it is essential that my office remains fully compliant with continually evolving federal regulations and maintains the operational capacity to implement them effectively. Ensuring that we have the necessary resources to support the initiatives I lead is equally critical. And finally—though certainly not least—I am committed to fostering an environment where my team and I prioritize self‑care and maintain a healthy balance, enabling us not only to meet the demands of our roles but to truly thrive in our careers in higher education.
Wold-McCormick: What advice would you give to young or new higher education professionals about leadership or AACRAO involvement? What is the most important skill they should develop?
Moore: Have the confidence to be a participator, not just a spectator. That begins with finding your community—your people—whether through a committee, a workgroup, or presenting. These opportunities allow you to contribute your expertise and perspective in meaningful ways. It’s also important to demonstrate to your employer the institutional value of being engaged with AACRAO: how your involvement, leadership, and continued professional development strengthen not only your work but the organization as a whole. And finally, remain adaptable, open, and committed to continuous learning. This mindset will support your growth and prepare you to meet the evolving needs of your profession.
But my best advice is when an opportunity presents itself, get out of your head, don’t start ticking off of a list of what you haven’t done that makes you unqualified, get out of your own way, and say yes! There are so many people who will want you to succeed and will support your efforts!
Wold-McCormick: Describe for me the ideal state of higher education, from your perspective.
Moore: From my perspective, the ideal state of higher education is one in which institutions are fully equipped—and fully committed—to supporting learners throughout their entire educational journey. Ideally, higher education would include:
Truly affordable access, where anyone who wishes to pursue a degree or credential can do so without cost being a barrier.
Diversified and sustainable revenue streams that enable institutions to fulfill their missions and invest in the people, programs, and infrastructure needed to serve students well.
Clear, well‑designed, and appropriately-funded regulatory frameworks that reduce unnecessary administrative burden while improving institutional compliance and enhancing the student experience.
Adaptive, personalized learning that is recognized universally—by institutions and employers—regardless of where a learner gains competencies or skills.
Intentional integration of career preparation as a core component of the academic curriculum, ensuring that students are prepared not only academically but professionally.
A culture of care shared by every employee, making students’ well‑being a collective responsibility rather than the work of a single office.
Equitable access implemented as an institutional strategy, not simply an aspiration—embedded in policy, practice, and decision‑making.
Lifelong connection to learners, where colleges and universities serve as enduring partners for reskilling, upskilling, and continuous learning long after a first degree or credential is earned.
The resources to invest in highly adaptive technologies that meaningfully improve and simplify the learner experience from recruitment through completion.
And lastly, the ideal higher education landscape is one in which institutions have the capacity, flexibility, and commitment to meet learners where they are—and accompany them as they grow, advance, and transform throughout their lives.
Wold-McCormick: What do you want your legacy to be within AACRAO or your profession?
Moore: I will speak to my AACRAO legacy. When I became active in AACRAO, many leadership or committee opportunities were not readily known by the general membership. Leaders were selecting their successors, from a narrow pool of the people they knew, and most times, their friends.
My legacy will be that I fostered inclusion and equitable access. Before I became president, and when I was in another AACRAO leadership role, I developed a process to inform and announce leadership opportunities within Group V to the membership. All were aware; all had an opportunity to declare their interest to serve. AACRAO has established procedures to inform the membership of all of the opportunities to serve, as leaders, committee members, and in other capacities.
My legacy will be that I served as a mentor, which is a natural extension of my fostering inclusion and equitable access.
My legacy will be that I was prepared to lead. I am a strong proponent of preparation. Leadership with proclamation is not leadership without preparation. I am proud of how I built my AACRAO foundation that prepared me to lead. How I built my leadership is much like how you build a home, with a blueprint, a foundation, walls, a roof with rooms in between. A home can have multiple roof levels, and my presidency has been an opportunity to lead, engage, and work with our members and the Association to promote programs and initiatives that improve our professional development, actualize our leadership, and demonstrate our value at our respective institutions.
My legacy will be that I met the moment. I have not shirked or run from any problem that the Board of Directors and the Association has had to deal with. I can handle pressure cookers! I led a strongly committed and hard working group of directors, who met the moment, too. The Board has approved the Strategic Plan and established procedures regarding member engagement and participation, all while looking inward to improve our performance, ensure good governance, and maintain legal compliance. The Board has been highly responsive to our members, and nimble enough to pivot when presented with shifts that impact higher education and our members.
Wold-McCormick: Are there any other thoughts or inspirations you’d like to share with the AACRAO membership?
Moore: I want to thank the members for making this interview possible. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve as the president of the AACRAO Board of Directors. AACRAO has thrived through our collective efforts. I will always cherish the memories and experiences we shared. I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes, from a fellow Arkansan, Maya Angelou: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
About the Author
Kristi Wold-McCormick currently serves as Assistant Vice Provost and University Registrar of the University of Colorado Boulder. In this leadership role, she focuses on student data privacy, business process improvement, academic policy, inclusion initiatives, and academic record and enrollment innovation. Wold-McCormick has held various positions in admissions and enrollment management. She earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from NDSU and a Ph.D. from the University of North Dakota. She is a Past President of the AACRAO Board of Directors.
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