By Katie Rendon, MA, Registrar, Hebrew Union College, Chair of the State & Regional Relations Committee, N&E Committee Member
State and Regional ACRAOs provide a myriad of networking and professional development opportunities for their members. To demonstrate the value S&R associations provide, I reached out to S&R members to learn about their firsthand experiences. Below are accounts from Tara Arneson (New England), Alex Frain (Wisconsin), Liesl Fowler (Illinois & Upper Midwest), and Reginald Garçon (Chesapeake & Potomac), who all generously shared their thoughts regarding how involvement in their S&R has impacted their growth. Stay tuned for Part 2 when we hear from four more S&R advocates.
Can you describe your involvement with S&R association(s) and what motivated you to get involved initially?
Tara Arneson: You could say I was a bit of a NEACRAO spectator for years before officially getting involved … I hesitated to get more involved because I was unsure of how NEACRAO and AACRAO worked. As I began to grow in my role and eventually became a registrar, I recognized how important it was to engage with others in the profession. What was really motivating was my desire to keep learning and the desire to teach others. I realized it was a bit silly not to ask questions, but I was shy and introverted, so reaching out to make connections made me pause. I want to help people in our profession who have those same hesitations feel comfortable raising their hands and asking, so that they don’t miss out on any opportunities.
Alex Frain: When I first moved to Wisconsin, one of the first things my colleague Alex Kaleta did was to add me to our institutional roster with WACRAO. That colleague (who served as both Treasurer and Historian for WACRAO) also “voluntold” me to join the External Relations committee, which I agreed to sight unseen … I know that if not for that initial nudge, I probably would have been much more hesitant to step into that world. After all, I was new to the state, new to my institution, and fairly new to the profession. What possible contributions could I have to offer? When the call came for me to consider standing as President-Elect, I had already said “Yes!” so many times to WACRAO that I didn’t have to think twice. I’m now completing the five-year Presidential cycle. I’ll be finished in November, and look forward to continuing to serve on committees, present at conferences, etc.
Liesl Fowler: Each of these organizations offers me the opportunity to network, engage, and learn from amazing colleagues across the Midwest. Travel is usually doable, and I have a chance to partner with others for panels and presentations.
Reginald Garçon: During COVID, I was seeking ways to stay engaged with people in a remote world. CAPACRAO had several online meetings and workshops that I decided to attend, and five years later, I am still around. Cassandra Moore and Johnika Nixon were two influential people who inspired me to get involved. First, Cassandra pulled me aside to simply share her journey and encouraged me to get involved both locally and on the national level with AACRAO. Meanwhile, Johnika saw my level of engagement at workshops and simply asked if I wanted to join a committee, and the rest was history. In short, when I am a part of something, I really like to be engaged and "get my hands dirty."
How has your participation influenced your professional development or career trajectory?
Arneson: Being on the NEACRAO Board has really boosted my professional development. Aside from networking and making great connections in the region, I’ve been able to gain valuable leadership skills that benefit me both at my institution and with NEACRAO. It gives me a real sense of accomplishment when I can make a suggestion or support a suggestion that will strengthen our profession. For example, NEACRAO has been able to make some positive changes that will enhance the membership’s experience, such as adding monthly professional development webinars, offering a scholarship for conference registration fees, and allowing open rosters.
Frain: I am amazed at how quickly and painlessly it was to form strong and lasting connections with colleagues around the state because of my involvement in our state association. WACRAO has given me the opportunity to meet and form friendships with folks from all different types and sizes of institutions, which has been incredibly important to my development both in my role at Marquette and in seeing how our profession is evolving. Without participating in WACRAO and becoming confident as a session presenter at our own annual conferences, I know I would not have had the courage to present for AACRAO at the Annual Meeting or as a webinar presenter, which has, in turn, led to an ever-expanding network of colleagues beyond the borders of the Badger State. Hello, New Mexico/Rocky Mountain ACRAO friends, PACRAO friends, and beyond!
Fowler: The first time I presented was at a state conference more than 20 years ago. This provided me with the opportunity to partner with a more seasoned colleague who was experienced with presenting, and I had the opportunity to learn from her mentorship. That allowed me to build the confidence to present at user groups, state, regional, and national conferences for the last 20+ years. From that first regional conference, I learned about the wider world of AACRAO, saw the benefits of membership, and joined several of the listservs, where those relationships have continued to grow and bring me comfort for over two decades.
Garçon: Through various connections, this experience has allowed me to present, co-present, and facilitate workshops both regionally and nationally. It has also allowed me to work with people outside of my state and develop some great friendships. More importantly, I also wanted to continue to grow as a professional while sharing insights about my experience. This experience led me to be a mentor to colleagues, a consultant to peers, but also simply an ear to help others navigate the challenges and experiences we have in higher education.
Have you experienced any moments of personal growth or transformation through your S&R involvement?
Arneson: Yes! Personally, I’ve been able to step out of my comfort zone to engage with people at both the AACRAO Annual Meeting and our NEACRAO Annual Conferences to talk to people about the benefits of getting more involved. I also no longer hesitate to ask questions or make a suggestion that I think will benefit the larger group.
Frain: Yes! Next question. 😊 Seriously, there are too many moments of growth and transformation to count. I first came to Wisconsin with only a handful of years’ experience, and I admit it was daunting to be in the same room with colleagues from “big name” schools, but because I had a role in WACRAO, I had an “excuse” to talk with them, to get to know them. I’m forever grateful that my very first S&R annual conference, when I joined a committee I didn’t even know existed a few months prior, was also a joint conference with UMACRAO, allowing me to meet and befriend great people from both Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest whose guidance and opinions, both professionally and personally, have helped me become the person and registrar professional I am today.
Fowler: Absolutely! Seeing colleagues I know and trust blossom and transform themselves through their activism has given me the confidence to also contribute at the state, regional, and national levels.
Garçon: Through my regional S&R, I have become a mentor to fellow colleagues looking to further their professional journeys, and that has been a rewarding experience. Likewise, I have been open to learning from my peers. I truly want the best for our members and providing them with resources when needed—just like I benefited in the past.
What advice would you give to someone considering getting involved in their State or Regional ACRAO association?
Arneson: Get involved. At first, I hesitated because I was too shy to ask the questions. The fear of being outed as an imposter made me queasy, and it was easier just not to do anything at all. I feel like I missed so many learning opportunities early in my career because I got in my own way. State and Regional ACRAOs allow you to make bite-sized time commitments and get you involved in a way that makes sense for you. The networking opportunities are endless, and you’re able to build long-lasting relationships. The relationship-building alone has been the most beneficial, because I’ve been able to reach out to colleagues with questions, situations, and concerns to get feedback and advice. Being able to do that outreach and get reassurance from other registrars is clutch. It’s a good reminder that even though this might be your first time navigating that tricky FERPA situation, it's definitely the tenth time another registrar has had to deal with the same situation, and they are going to give you solid feedback with a concrete example.
Frain: One of the wonderful people I met early in my time with WACRAO was the fantastic Tina Falkner, taken far too soon from us. Her approach to helping people get involved was to tell them they could do it, and they should do it. That kind of mentoring was what I received when I first started at Marquette, and it’s the same advice that I give now. I hope to be the kind of person Tina was, showing that level of support to colleagues, especially those new to the profession or to our association. The hardest part of getting involved in an S&R is that first step, saying that “Yes!” Everything after that just flows from that first positive response. And a word to those just starting out in the profession—never think you don’t have anything worthwhile to contribute just because you’re new, or young, or whatever. Everybody’s perspective, everybody’s experiences, are worth bringing to the table. So don’t be afraid to jump in feet-first. You will be so glad you did, and our associations will all be the better for it.
Fowler: Just jump in. Find a person you have followed on one of the lists and ask if you can present with them or if you can contribute to a panel. If speaking in front of groups isn't your cup of tea, see if there are committees that need extra help and offer your time. I promise you will get back more than you put in.
Garçon: It's a great place to get your feet wet and be part of something. In addition, we all have experiences and something to contribute, whether you believe it or not. Share your voice, know your worth, and allow yourself to be a vehicle to serve others, while being a blank canvas to absorb information and learn along the way.
Are you ready to join an S&R association?