State and Regional Organizations

AACRAO and the state and regional associations (ACRAOs) share the same basic goals of enhancing not only the profession but also the professional development of the individual members. One of the fundamental strengths of our profession is the vitality of strong, active state and regional associations. These associations provide members with many professional development activities and opportunities and generally are instrumental in forging the informal networks that exist throughout the country.

AACRAO's Vice President of Leadership and Management Development and AACRAO's State and Regional Relations Committee formulate and share responsibility for AACRAO's relationship with state and regional associations.

 

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Resources

  • State and Regional Fundamentals (On-Demand Course)

    This course provides a core understanding of the functions of a state and regional Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (ACRAO). An overview of how individual state and regional associations of all sizes can apply best practices in managing an association, running meetings, and providing professional development activities for their members that are based on successful state and regional ACRAOs.

    Learn More

  • State & Regional "How to" Guide

    Containing best practices, examples, and suggestions that affiliated State & Regional Organizations of all sizes may reference as they develop and/or improve their organization

    Learn More

  • How to Get Involved with AACRAO

    Learn how you can get involved with your AACRAO membership. Included in the resources below are our community engagement touchpoints which include volunteer opportunities, publication authorship, discussion forums, and much more. Review the resources below and choose your path at AACRAO.

    Get Involved DirectoryGet Involved One-Pager
  • State & Regional Partnership and Affiliate Program

    Additional information regarding the AACRAO State & Regional Partnership and Affiliate Program.

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  • AACRAO Leadership Meeting

    The Leadership Meeting is designed for AACRAO leaders shaping the future of AACRAO and higher education; attendees include State or Regional Association Officers, PAC leaders, Work Group Chairs, Caucus Chairs, Committee Chairs, Conference Directors, and Program Committee Coordinators. As a hub for collaboration and growth essential for S&R Officers, this exclusive gathering fosters strategic discussions and networking opportunities. Registration opens after the Annual Meeting. AACRAO provides meals but travel and accommodations are the responsibility of S&R leaders.

    Learn More

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  • Ockerman Awards

    The Elbert W. Ockerman State and Regional Professional Activity Award recognizes outstanding professional activities of the state/regional associations and encourages development and expansion of quality professional activities among state/regional associations. Up to three awards of $500 each will be presented. Nominees must prepare a one page written summary of their activities for consideration. The recipient(s) are recommended by the AACRAO Awards Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.

    Learn More

  • State & Regional ACRAOs Leadership Exchange Community

    Join the State and Regional ACRAOs Leadership community in the AACRAO Exchange. The AACRAO Exchange is a purpose-built platform designed to connect higher education professionals together to advance the pursuit of excellence in higher education. Once you join the Exchange community, you can share information about questions and issues of interest to those in leadership positions in the state and regional associations. It is open to any officers of state and regional associations, the AACRAO Board of Directors, AACRAO National Office staff, and AACRAO committees whose activities relate to those of the state and regional associations. This group is a beneficial service to the state and regional associations and to AACRAO.

    Join Now
  • State and Regional Treasurers Peer Network

    The State and Regional Treasurers Peer Network is a networking and affinity group for state and regional (S&R) treasurers, treasurers-elect, and immediate past treasurers.  This group provides a community of like minded professionals to share best practices and insights, as well as to provide support and encouragement to one another serving in an S&R treasury role. This group may also identify and propose ways that AACRAO can support and collaborate with the state and regional associations.

    This group is open to professionals serving in the treasurer, treasurer-elect, or immediate past-treasurer positions within their respective state and regional associations, as well as individuals who have served in one of these capacities within the last two years.  Professionals serving in other leadership positions within S&R associations may also join this group. 

    Join this Network

  • Join The S&R Coordinating Committee

    The State & Regional Coordinating Committee falls under Group 4: Leadership and Management Development. All AACRAO members are eligible to join a committee.

    Get Involved

  • State & Regional Facebook Group

    Join this online community to stay connected to the ACRAO network

    Join the Group

View more resources

Upcoming State & Regional Deadlines

Upcoming State & Regional Events

How to Advocate as a State and Regional Association

November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024 | 2:00-3:00 pm ET

Join AACRAO’s Government Relations team from 2pm - 3pm ET on November 13, 2024 for a webinar focusing on higher education policy issues and how State and Regional associations can become engaged in these issues. The webinar will focus on the following topics:

  • Overview of current issues impacting higher education
  • How S&R AACRAO associations, as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, can engage in advocacy work while still complying with the IRS tax code.
  • Identifying and empowering individuals at S&R associations to become government relations points of contact.
AACRAO’s Government Relations team hopes that attendees will come away from the session with a clear understanding of how they can get involved in advocacy work at both the federal and state levels.

Additional Resources:

Register Here

    Moderators:

    Headshot of Johnika Dreher.

    Johnika Nixon

    Doctoral Student, Morgan State University

    Katie (Brown) Rendon

    AVP Student Success & University Registrar, Aspen University

    Presenters:

    Headshot of William Gil.

    William Gil

    Senior Director, Government Relations

    Michael Bilfinger headshot

    Michael Bilfinger

    Assistant Director, Public Policy

    Past State & Regional Events

    How to Advocate as a State and Regional Association

    November 13, 2024

    November 13, 2024 | 2:00-3:00 pm ET

    Join AACRAO’s Government Relations team from 2pm - 3pm ET on November 13, 2024 for a webinar focusing on higher education policy issues and how State and Regional associations can become engaged in these issues. The webinar will focus on the following topics:

    • Overview of current issues impacting higher education
    • How S&R AACRAO associations, as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, can engage in advocacy work while still complying with the IRS tax code.
    • Identifying and empowering individuals at S&R associations to become government relations points of contact.
    AACRAO’s Government Relations team hopes that attendees will come away from the session with a clear understanding of how they can get involved in advocacy work at both the federal and state levels.

    Additional Resources:

    Register Here

      Moderators:

      Headshot of Johnika Dreher.

      Johnika Nixon

      Doctoral Student, Morgan State University

      Katie (Brown) Rendon

      AVP Student Success & University Registrar, Aspen University

      Presenters:

      Headshot of William Gil.

      William Gil

      Senior Director, Government Relations

      Michael Bilfinger headshot

      Michael Bilfinger

      Assistant Director, Public Policy

      Meet the members

      • Chris Huang AAPI Bio
      • Philip Hunt Black Bio (1)
      • Laura Remillard Women Bio
      • Badge for Amber Cellotti
      • Committee Badge for Johnika Dreher
      • Committee Badge for Texas Ruegg
      • Committee Badge for Kristin Smigielski
      • Committee Badge for Molly McDermott Fallon
      • Katie Brown - Committee Badge

      Have a Question?

      Quick Links

      Leadership

      AACRAO VP for Leadership Management and Development

      Tiffani Robertson
      Associate Director, Enrollment Management at Governors State University


      Chair, AACRAO S&R Relations Committee

      Headshot of Johnika Dreher.

      Johnika Nixon
      Doctoral Student, Morgan State University


      Vice-Chair, AACRAO S&R Relations Committee

      Portrait of Katie Brown

      Katie (Brown) Rendon
      Assistant Vice President, Student Success & University Registrar, Apsen University


      Past Chair, AACRAO S&R Relations Committee

      Photograph of Amber Cellotti

      Amber Cellotti
      Interim Director & Deputy Registrar, University of Minnesota Twin Cities



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      Map of the united states.

      The Importance of State & Regional Organizations in Professional Development

      Mar 18, 2024

      Increasing engagement through professional development.

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      Live from #AACRAO2023: State & Regional Hot Topics

      Mar 28, 2023

      Promoting engagement, leadership, and planning with State and Regional ACRAO's.

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      AACRAO Supports State and Regional Conferences

      Jul 25, 2022

      Learn about the tools, resources, and support AACRAO provides to State and Regional associations.

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      State and Regionals: A New Mentorship Program from New England

      Apr 18, 2022

      A new mentorship program from the New England ACRAO.

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      NJNYACRAO Hosts Upcoming Virtual Conference

      Mar 7, 2022

      Learn about the upcoming virtual conference hosted by the NJNYACRAO.

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      Increasing Member Engagement With Associations

      Jan 18, 2022

      AACRAO and State and Regional leaders discuss increasing membership engagement and providing resources.

      salmon background with a computer monitor displaying a multi-participant video call

      Indiana ACRAO Hosts Virtual Workshop on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

      Aug 23, 2021

      Learn about Indiana ACRAO's experience hosting a virtual conference and promoting engagement with their membership.

      wooden table with a mug of coffee, spilled coffee beans, and a blackboard with the words "coffee break" displayed

      Join The Upcoming State & Regional Coffee Break

      Aug 9, 2021

      Join AACRAO's State & Regional Associations Coffee Break to discuss event and conference planning.

      B&W photo of Steve Smith in top hat & fake mustache holding paper and pointing

      A plastic sabre, a fake mustache, an ersatz tiara: Making magic for ACRAO State & Regionals

      Nov 12, 2020

      Recent workshops strengthening S&Rs were the bee's knees.

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      AACRAO affirms relationship with State and Regionals

      Jul 29, 2019

      National office makes investment in state and regional associations

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      OACRAO is "winning at student success"

      Oct 29, 2018

      Sessions titled after popular game shows make for a fun and engaging fall conference.

      Male holding a white sign with the words "Got Purpose?" written on it in bold black lettering.

      A moving testimony about the work AACRAO members do

      Aug 3, 2018

      "Our work is important and meaningful for students, and our organizations are critical to maintaining consistency in higher education, and being innovative in solving higher education issues," writes Arturo Torres, AACRAO Leadership attendee.

      "Welcome to Virginia" road sign featuring a red heart next to the white lettering.

      The Give Back Project shows VACRAO has heart

      Jul 2, 2018

      Annual drive furthers the mission of this state organization.

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      Nebraska ACRAO gives back to their host communities

      Jun 18, 2018

      Schools and nonprofits benefit from their Annual Meeting drives.

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      Straight from State & Regionals: NEACRAO’s George Coleman Scholarship helps students, institutions

      May 7, 2018

      Giving back to talented students in New England.

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      A strong theme draws attention to ORACRAO's conference

      Sep 20, 2016

      Professional development wizardry in the Emerald City.

      Group of conference attendees.

      Straight from State and Regionals: Poster sessions stimulate research, energize SACRAO conference

      Jul 29, 2014

      SACRAO Annual Meeting abuzz with conversations about local members' research, thanks to the "poster sessions" introduced at their 2013 conference.