Public Policy Advisory Group

The group provides an essential practitioner perspective on emerging legislation and public policy matters and serves as a practical resource to AACRAO’s Executive Director and Government Relations staff as they craft responses to proposed legislation or regulation. Areas of expertise may include admissions, enrollment services, financial aid, access and equity, serving veterans and service members, community colleges, graduate and professional education, competency based education, credit for prior learning, and others.

The Public Policy Advisory Group (PPAG) is composed of 12 members. Each member of PPAG serves a 3-year term; appointments are staggered, so each year, 4 individuals complete their term, and 4 new members are added. AACRAO members are selected based on their areas of expertise and type of institution and are representative of the regional, gender, and ethnic diversity of the association. After their term, individuals must be removed from the PPAG exchange and wait at least one year before re-applying to the Public Policy Advisory Group.

2025 - 2026 Members:


Erika Swain (Chair)
Assistant Director for Compliance and Authorization
University of Colorado - Boulder

Blake Bedsole
Director of Admissions and School Relations
University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

Alana Davis
Associate Provost and University Registrar
William & Mary University

Tara Kent
Director, Office of the Registrar
The American Musical and Dramatic Academy

Sarah Kessler
Associate Registrar
University of Georgia

Catharine Punchello
Vice Provost and University Registrar
Thomas Edison State University

Gina Sobania
Director of Military, Veteran, and Adult Learner Services
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Laura Stone
Compliance Specialist
University of Connecticut

Kylie Borges
Associate Registrar, Degree Progress and Degree Audit
Stanford University

Luis Alarcon
Director of Recruitment & Admissions
Lincoln Land Community College

Jenny Parks
Vice President
Midwestern Higher Education Compact

Joseph Redington
University Registrar
University of Scranton

Vanessa Jackson
Associate Registrar
Campbell University School of Law