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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. 

Ask the FERPA Professors

Sep 15, 2025

The professors answer questions about authorization requirements for concurrent high school and college enrolled full-time students under 18.

Letter from the Editor September 2025

Letter from the Editor: September 2, 2025

Sep 2, 2025

Whether you're entering school as a pre-kindergartner or postsecondary professional, showing up for learning every day takes grit.

Post-its that spell the word Challenge

500 Challengers, One Goal: Improving Transfer Time-to-Decision

Sep 2, 2025

The National Learning Mobility Challenge introduces a multilayered partnership with the National Association of System Heads, as well as with you, institutional practitioners, and corporate partners.

IPEDS ACTS and FVT/GE Compliance

Compliance Check Sept 5: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System Survey and Financial Value Transparency/Gainful Employment Webinar

Sep 2, 2025

AACRAO is collaborating closely with our sister organizations for your input so that your institutional voices are heard as the U.S. Department of Education implements significant changes to compliance reporting requirements.

Annual Meeting packed session

Recognizing Excellence: The AACRAO ‘Best of the Best’ Program

Sep 2, 2025

Erin Mason and Portia LaMarr of the 2026 Annual Meeting Program Committee invite your “Best of the Best” nominations for presenting at the 111th AACRAO Annual Meeting, an opportunity to celebrate remarkable presenters at State and Regional conferences.

College & University Journal Summer 2025 with Gen Z student listening to music

The Sound of Success: How Music Resonates with Gen Z in the College Search Process

Sep 2, 2025

Heather Zimar of AACRAO Publications shares a College & University Journal summer highlight featuring a recent study by Kristy Tucciarione, Ph.D., which reveals a powerful, yet often overlooked, tool: music.

Ask a Consultant: Practitioners Helping Practitioners

Ask a Consultant: Implementing SEM Plans

Sep 2, 2025

Jody Gordon and Laura A. Wankel of AACRAO Consulting provide key steps that come after the tough work of completing the SEM plan.

AANHPI Caucus image with three caucus members at the Annual Meeting

Key Facts About the Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus Name Change

Sep 2, 2025

Jessica Gonzalez and Michelle Weller, Co-Chairs of the AACRAO Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Caucus, announce the recently approved name change of the caucus and address common questions you may have regarding this transition.

August 2025 Recess Update

A Busy August Recess: What Has Happened While Congress Was Away?

Aug 27, 2025

Mike Bilfinger of AACRAO Government Relations provides a legislative update on higher education, summarizing top news and insights during the two-week congressional recess.

August 2025 Letter from the editor

Letter from the Editor: August 19, 2025

Aug 18, 2025

If you have a shared system or common foundation or “bottom” to build upon, you can reach outside siloes or comfort zones.

Ask the FERPA Professors

Aug 18, 2025

The professors answer questions related to faculty access requests and SIS reporting examples.

Sunset glow over a keyboard and monitor with tech icons

AACRAO Technology Advisory Council Advances Principles for 21st-Century Learning

Aug 18, 2025

The AACRAO Technology Advisory Council introduces new SIS Operational Principles which position SIS platforms as strategic enablers that support learners across credit, non-credit, professional, and experiential domains.

Keyboard with post-it reminder to "make agenda"

Confessions of an Agenda Enthusiast

Aug 18, 2025

Christopher Tremblay of the University of Michigan, AACRAO C&U, and SEM-EP shares how a lesson from undergrad has contributed to his tried-and-true practice for leading productive meetings.

SEMQ Community College series

How SEM Revitalized a Community College

Aug 18, 2025

Heather Zimar of AACRAO Publications highlights the latest SEMQ Journal, Vol. 13, Issue 2, featuring UCNJ’s holistic SEM approach, which has significantly increased graduation and enrollment rates, and a new culture of success and strategic growth.

Introducing the new volunteer page

The Volunteer Pool is Open All Year Round

Aug 18, 2025

Paige Selman Boucher, our Community and Volunteer Manager, offers tips on diving into the new Volunteer Pool, which is designed with member needs in mind.

August 2025 Letter from the editor

Letter from the Editor: August 5, 2025

Aug 4, 2025

There is a good reason why we "take time to rewind," in the hope that it can repay us with clarity or wisdom, and perhaps reveal hidden connections that we missed the first time around.

Ask a Consultant: Practitioners Helping Practitioners

Ask a Consultant: Guiding Principles

Aug 4, 2025

Tammy Aagard of AACRAO Consulting answers how to find your "north star" for project progress and success.

Map showing state and regional ACRAOs

AACRAO Resources for State & Regional Organizations

Aug 4, 2025

Katie Rendon of Hebrew Union College gives a detailed rundown of the resources to support state & regional leaders as they navigate running board meetings, operating as a 501(c), planning conferences, and more.

View of session from back of the room.

Live from #TechTransfer2025: ‘One-Team’ Mentality for Transfer Admissions

Aug 4, 2025

Amy Moffatt and Jennifer Mercer of Towson University shared how their office has intentionally cultivated a leadership culture over the past five years that prioritizes creativity, collaboration, and psychological safety.

View of session from back left of room.

Live from #TechTransfer2025: A Powerful & Practical Tool for Students

Aug 4, 2025

See how TransferVirginia.org is streamlining the transfer process through innovative technology and statewide collaboration.