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AACRAO's biweekly professional development e-newsletter Connect offers timely information, actionable tips, and expert guidance relevant to your career; stories about interesting colleagues doing inspiring things; and news about association services, activities and resources.

Like a virtual, on-demand AACRAO conference-between-conferences, Connect keeps professional conversations alive and helps you stay engaged with the association that advocates for and believes in your career. 

letter from the editor, april 2025

Letter from the Editor: April 29, 2025

Apr 28, 2025

We are releasing new graduates into the world with every grade, credential, and transcript record skillfully documented.

New CCF Michael Davenport of the University of Arizona

Welcoming our Newest Community and Content Facilitator

Apr 28, 2025

Meet Michael Davenport of the University of Arizona, the newest of our six Community and Content Facilitators, who are here to help you optimize your membership benefits year-round.

Laptop computer with gold illustration of a globe and icons related to information.

Add Your Voice to the U.S. Study Abroad Survey

Apr 28, 2025

Our Director of International, Julia Funaki, explains how your institution’s participation in the U.S. Study Abroad Survey serves as a valuable tool for universities seeking funding, building partnerships, and making the case for study abroad programs.

Graduating students toss their caps in the air

Community Colleges: A Legacy of Access, Equity, and Innovation

Apr 28, 2025

Sun Jamerson of Lorain County Community College reflects on Community College Month by making the case for how enrollment professionals are the engines that power these institutions of opportunity and community transformation.

Zachary Pardos and Daniel Knox sitting on the stage at the 110th AACRAO Annual Meeting

Reimagining Transfer with an AI-Powered Pilot

Apr 28, 2025

Hear from Daniel Knox of NASH and Zachary Pardos of UC Berkeley about progress with a new AI-powered pilot that is helping institutions map credit mobility at scale and center the 92% of students who don’t follow a linear path.

A city with flowchart overlay

Powering Pathways from Campus to Career

Apr 28, 2025

Alex Kaplan of AACRAO describes the launch of Project Infuse and how this innovative credential initiative is using AI to address the toughest hurdles that colleges face in transitioning to a digital future.

Calendar with College Decision Day marked on May 1

Identifying What Matters to Students

Apr 28, 2025

Mark Butt of Emory University shares findings revealing seven central themes in students' resource utilization, described in the April issue of SEM Quarterly.

File folders connected via squiggly computer lines

The FAFSA: Then and Now

Apr 28, 2025

Steve McDowell, a NASFAA-certified leader of Connecticut State Community College, offers a streamlined look at the key milestones that have shaped the FAFSA and the broader student aid system, bringing it to where it stands today.

AACRAO Government Relations providing the Federal Update at the 110th AACRAO Annual Meeting

Revisiting the Federal Update for Our Members

Apr 28, 2025

For a limited time, AACRAO members can view the recording of the Government Relations Federal Update, presented by William Gil and Mike Bilfinger, regardless of whether you attended the Annual Meeting.

View of the session from the back

Progress in 2025: Some Good News from Campuses

Apr 28, 2025

Registrar leaders from The Ohio State University and University of Wisconsin–Green Bay shared how they’re leveraging Stellic to simplify the student experience and stretch their teams’ impact across campus.

Ask the FERPA Professors

Apr 28, 2025

The professors answer questions about records involved with the student hiring process.

letter from the editor, april 2025

Letter from the Editor: April 15, 2025

Apr 14, 2025

Reach out. Form alliances. Ask for help. Lend a hand. We’ll need each other to keep moving forward—skillfully—through the uncertainty ahead.

Session view from the right side

Live from #AACRAO2025: Creating a Knowledge Base of Compliance

Apr 14, 2025

Erin Mason, University Registrar at the University of Utah, and Sam Carrell, University Registrar at the University of Maine, offered practical steps for building a proactive, informed, and collaborative compliance culture on campus.

Session view from back corner

Live from #AACRAO2025: What You Can Do When Resources Run Dry

Apr 14, 2025

Nicholas Jobe, College Registrar at Flagler College, offered software hacks, time management strategies, and ways to make the case for more support.

Session view from the audience

Live from #AACRAO2025: Implementing Human-Centered Design for Staff and Learners

Apr 14, 2025

Stanford University enrollment and learning experience design leaders Johanna Metzgar, Shilo Trionfi, Pritasha Solomon, and Kate Brennan presented five key actions that improved staff effectiveness and reduced burnout across student services.

Close-up on presenters speaking

Live from #AACRAO2025: Embracing Your Role as a Learner Advocate

Apr 14, 2025

Vanessa Jackson and Meredith Chilausky of the Campbell University School of Law, and David Williams of North Carolina Central University, provided practical strategies for identifying and addressing common policy roadblocks.

View of session speakers from left

Live from #AACRAO2025: Tackling an Institutionwide Data Overhaul

Apr 14, 2025

Rebecca Hunter, Thiana Ferry, and Ingrid Nuttall, enrollment leaders at Northeastern University, discussed how they streamlined data and institutional processes, all in service of a smoother, less confusing learner journey.

Session view from front of the room

Live from #AACRAO2025: Leading System Transitions with Your Most Valuable Assets

Apr 14, 2025

Michael Moore, Senior Associate Registrar at Wake Forest University,​ shared actionable strategies for leading successful SIS transitions that leverage the registrar’s unique perspective to guide the process.

Session view from the left side

Live from #AACRAO2025: Registrars on the Front Lines of Admission

Apr 14, 2025

Andrew Marx, Registrar and Director of Academic Advising, Tufts University, explored how to clarify boundaries, reduce repeat office visits, and strengthen hand-offs through early engagement, policy alignment, and smarter support strategies.

Session view from audience at AM25

Live from #AACRAO2025: The Admissions Start-Up Mindset for Recruiting

Apr 14, 2025

Nicholas Rejebian, Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives at the University of Cincinnati, invited attendees to describe their first thoughts when they think of a start-up company, encouraging attendees to think of new possibilities.