By Autumn Walden, Editor, AACRAO Connect, Content Strategy Manager, AACRAO
Every year, we look forward to celebrating our membership at the Annual Meeting through our AACRAO Awards program. For over six decades, these honors have recognized both members and non-members who have made exceptional impacts at national and international levels. In this ongoing series featuring our 2025 award winners, we spotlight the Thomas A. Bilger Award recipient to recognize sustained, impactful leadership. Recipients must demonstrate at least seven years of dedicated volunteer service, showing consistent vision while serving in pivotal roles such as Task Force Chair, Special Projects Director, Program Coordinator, or Board member.
Dr. Wendolyn Davis is this year's Thomas A. Bilger Award recipient, serving as Executive Director of Pathway Alignment at Chattanooga State Community College. Dr. Davis’s leadership over the years spans multiple critical areas, including chairing both the Black Caucus and the Nominations & Elections (N&E) Committee while co-directing the Technology and Transfer Virtual Summit. Dr. Davis will also moderate the “Black History Month: African Americans and Labor” webinar on February 26 at 2 p.m. ET.
Her commitment to AACRAO and our profession extends to the Transfer and Articulation Committee and Public Policy Advisory Group (PPAG), complemented by her past leadership as president and board chair of the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (MACRAO). In this interview, we explore the people and experiences that have shaped her distinguished career in higher education administration.
What/Who influenced your decision to get involved with AACRAO?
Rosyln Perry, Kristi Goodwin, Bianca Thompson, Cassandra Moore, Jackie Carter, and Tiffany Robinson influenced me to get involved with AACRAO. They all inspired me to be as active as possible and mentored me over the years.
What do you enjoy most about your work and/or involvement with AACRAO?
AACRAO involvement allowed me to give more of my whole self and always encouraged me to become a better me, a vocal leader, and a strong advocate. Sometimes, our employment positions box us into our respective narrow roles within a hierarchy, where AACRAO removed the box.
Have you encountered any unexpected or notable experiences along your professional path?
Each time someone asked me to be a part of leadership has been notable. It has helped to validate my value to higher education and the association.
Who are your role models?
All of the people who influenced me are my role models. Each one exhibits certain strengths I have endeavored to emulate and incorporate in some way.
What do you aspire to accomplish in the future?
I have decided I would like to retire from higher education as a community college or small college president.
What advice would you give to help others find their community at AACRAO?
Use all of the resources available to learn as much as possible about the communities AACRAO offers. Jump into each area without hesitation and consider how your strengths can lend themselves to your professional and personal growth. Ask as many questions as you have. There is always more than one person excited to answer them.