Managing the Registrar's Office
Managing the Registrar's Office: How to Do More With Less
An online professional development program for Registrars and aspiring Registrars
Next session dates: TBA
Purpose of the program
It isn't easy operating a student records office in times of tight resources. Doing more with less creates stresses and strains on the office staff that can dominate the Registrar's working day and ultimately can sap the organization's productivity. However, in the hands of a well-prepared manager, the challenge of maintaining high levels of service in the face of shrinking resources can actually bring out the best in members of the staff and lead to extraordinary levels of performance.
There's no doubt about it: the ability to manage well, especially when resources are scarce, can make all the difference in an organization's success, not to mention the future career prospects of the person in charge. During this four-week, interactive online program, participants will have the opportunity to develop the managerial strategies and skills a modern Registrar needs to meet the ever-increasing service expectations of the institution in the face of decreasing resources.
See what prior participants have said
Topics covered include:
- How to train your staff right the first time;
- How to use the most effective management style for each situation;
- How to keep your staff motivated and increasingly more productive;
- How to retain your best people;
- How to deal effectively with difficult staff situations that can sap time and productivity;
- How to break through perceived barriers to progress and create opportunities for improvement;
- How to take charge of the change process in your office;
- How to manage your time so the important things get done.
Who should take this course?
Registrars and aspiring registrars at any level who want to develop their managerial capabilities and bring out the best in their staff.
How does it work?
The program is conducted entirely online. No specialized hardware or software is required to participate, and all learning materials are furnished online. A short initial tutorial on how to operate in the online classroom is provided.
At the beginning of each week, learning materials that deal with the topics under examination for the week are posted online by the course instructor. Throughout the week, students consider how to apply the principles covered in the learning materials to their respective offices. Everyone posts their ideas and experiences in ongoing text-based discussion forums led by the course instructor. The capability for students to re-read the words of the instructor and the other participants helps to reinforce the learning experience.
Because there is no set class time, students can log on and participate whenever and from wherever it is convenient for them. It will take the average participant approximately 8 to10 hours each week for reading, reflecting, and interacting online to complete the program.
For answers to Frequently Asked Questions about this program and about learning online, click here .
Benefits of the program
This is a real meat and potatoes course that deals with the realities of developing and motivating staff and leading them through change.
The program provides a foundation to draw upon that helps participants gain a better perspective on managing actual situations in their offices.
The four-week length of the program allows participants to experience real-life personal growth and professional development while learning.
About the course leader
The course has been created and is taught by Don Bunis, a Registrar with 32 years of experience in both public and private institutions. He is the author of the chapter on "Managing the Registrar's Office" in the AACRAO Registrar's Guide . Don is also a certified distance educator who has created and taught the highly-regarded Management Dynamics Online course for AACRAO. For additional information about the instructor, click here.
To read an article on The Future of Professional Development by Don Bunis, click here
Earn a Professional Development Certificate
AACRAO will award a professional development certificate to participants who have successfully completed the course.
Registration for the upcoming course will be available as of Monday, December 1, 2008
A valid credit card is required for completion of the online registration form. Contact Erika Watts at 202-293-9161 ext. 6500 or wattse@aacrao.org for assistance in registering.