Kayla Nichols serves as Deputy Director for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Virginia Tech. As Deputy Director, she oversees day-to-day operations, which includes providing leadership to the data processing team, visitor experience team, recruitment team, communications, and customer support staff.
As a first-generation college graduate, she avidly supports college access initiatives and her foundation in college admissions was built through serving as the lead for diversity, equity, and access programming. This foundation now serves as a critical lens when overseeing operations within the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Kayla actively participates in professional development opportunities by presenting at national and regional conferences, taking online courses through AACRAO, participating in the ASCEND Leadership Development Program through AACRAO, and participating in programs through Virginia Tech. She also previously served as college fair coordinator and later as the Vice President of Admissions and Enrollment for VACRAO.
Uzoma F. Obidike, PhD, is a Clinical Experiences and Internship Manager at National Louis University. She is also a Career Transition Coach and founder of She Leads Beautifully, where she teaches women in stagnant careers how to tap into their networks to access dream career opportunities. Dr. Obidike is a contributing author of No Ways Tired: The Journey for Professionals of Color in Student Affairs. She has graced local and national stages, leading career and leadership development talks. Dr. Obidike was the 2019 recipient of the Up and Coming Woman in Education for the Influential Women of Northwest Indiana Awards.
Research & Policy Division Michael (Mike) Bilfinger helps to oversee the association's policy and advocacy efforts and serves as editor and contributor to AACRAO Transcript. Mike initially joined AACRAO as an intern for Marketing and Communications before then joining staff full-time as the Associate Director, Membership & Awards. He now serves as the Assistant Director of Public Policy. Mike was born and raised on Long Island, New York where he earned a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Philosophy from SUNY Stony Brook University. During his time in undergrad, Mike was fortunate to have the opportunity to study abroad for a month each in Spain, South Korea, China, Chile, and Peru. He then moved to Washington, DC to pursue a Master of Public Administration at American University, which he completed in 2023. Mike is a strong proponent of car-free living and enjoys commuting on his bike, indoor bouldering at his local gym, and listening to music whenever possible.
Mike directs ongoing monitoring and analysis of federal legislative and regulatory developments, emerging issues, and trends to determine the potential impact on AACRAO members. Additionally, Mike serves as editor of AACRAO Transcript.
Operations Division Matt has been a computer guy at AACRAO since 2004. The IT folks at AACRAO take care of just about anything that has a wire coming out of it. Matt learned about computer systems by rebuilding surplus computers for schools, back when he was a stay-at-home Dad. Long ago, after the kids were all in school, Matt began working with servers and networking equipment. Lately most of what Matt does for AACRAO is Salesforce programming and data manipulation. Matt is almost entirely self-taught. Although Matt does not have a degree he still considers himself fairly well educated. In his spare time Matt makes stuff.
Matt assists the IT team in strategizing, policy-making, standardization, and providing guidance in managing AACRAO's core systems.
Operations Division Charles Han is responsible for managing the association's information technology needs. He has worked at AACRAO since 2008, serving currently as the Director of IT. During his time at AACRAO, he has overseen many projects such as AMS implementation, Cyber Security, Cloud Management, and much more. He has received a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Minnesota.
Charles manages the IT team to tackle all AACRAO's technical needs for the present and future, including AMS management, cybersecurity, systems integration, project management, and hardware.
Education & Member Development Division
Belma Sadikovic supports the management, design, and production of AACRAO’s on-demand courses/micro-credentials and manages all webinar related activities. Belma Sadikovic has been a part of AACRAO since 2021 serving as the Curriculum and Content Coordinator. Belma is an essential part of the Content & Curriculum team, housed in the Education & Member Development Division.
Belma Sadikovic earned a BA from Boise State University, Idaho, with a major in German Language and Literature, followed by a Master of Education in English as a Second Language in 2009. She earned a doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Multicultural Education and Social Justice Education from Boise State University in 2017.
Prior to her role at AACRAO, Belma served as an assistant professor of Curriculum & Instruction in the Department of Leadership and Learning at Minnesota State University Moorhead. With over 15 years of experience working in K12 and higher education, Belma Sadikovic taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses to pre-service and in-service teachers and has over ten years of online teaching experience.
Belma Sadikovic was invited to give a TedTalk in 2016 titled “What it feels like to be a refugee”. She gives talks nationally and internationally about advocacy for equitable higher education access for refugee populations and effective integration strategies post-resettlement and consults on policy and program development with national nonprofits. Belma Sadikovic is the co-founder of Boise State University’s Refugee Alliance.
Belma assists in the management, design, and production of AACRAO’s on-demand courses/micro-credentials and manages all webinar related activities.
Operations Division Martha Henebry is the executive lead for operations and membership at AACRAO where she oversees member acquisition and retention, renewals, and systems management and implementation. She also coordinates the association's information technology, accounting, and human resources departments to ensure an efficient and compliant process. She has over 35 years of broad business experience in for-profit and nonprofit organizations, approximately 27 years in the U.S. and 8 years in Ireland. The vast majority of her work in the U.S. has been in non-profit higher education associations. Prior to AACRAO, she worked at the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU). Martha completed her primary and secondary education in Ireland and has a MBA from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia.
Martha is the executive lead for operations and membership at AACRAO. She oversees member acquisition and systems management and implementation. She also coordinates the organization's IT, Accounting, and HR departments.
Operations Division Alex began working at AACRAO as an intern in the Membership department in 2015, moving to a full-time position in 2017. After gaining experience in every position in the Membership Department, he began his current position as Director, Membership and Operations in 2022. He received a Bachelor's Degree in International Affairs in 2017 and a Master's Degree in European and Eurasian Studies in 2021, both from The George Washington University. Alex is originally from Connecticut, but now lives in Maryland with his wife and two cats. He loves cooking and trying new dishes with his friends and family.
Alex oversees the Membership and Operations team and coordinates the retention of over 11,000 existing members, the recruitment of new members, as well as drafting membership policy to align with AACRAO's strategic plan.
Business Development & Strategic Partnerships Division
Chris is responsible for the association's corporate memberships, sponsorship across AACRAO's event, research and product inventory, and manages yearly or longer term corporate partnerships/agreements across AACRAO's various departments.
Chris joined AACRAO in 2022 as director of corporate partnerships. Chris brings with him considerable experience in growing exhibits, sponsors, and advertisers as well as managing corporate relationships.
He received a bachelor’s degree in international studies from Bowling Green State University.
An Ohio native, Chris enjoys traveling with his family, playing hockey, and catering to his dog’s every whim.
Education & Member Development DivisionHeather Zimar is the Managing Editor of Journals and Publications at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). Heather works with higher education researchers and practitioners across the globe to develop and publish content in the areas of admissions, registration, and enrollment management. She is responsible for all aspects of the AACRAO publication process, including recruitment, editing, design, and production. Heather co-edited The SEM Anthology, Leadership Lessons: Visions and Value for a New Generation, and Mentorship in Higher Education: Practical Advice and Leadership. She works remotely from Ithaca, NY. Heather has also worked in public relations and communications for local education nonprofits and as a freelance writer. She holds a B.A. in print journalism and a M.S. in communications from Ithaca College.
Heather Zimar is responsible for the management, design, and production through all levels of AACRAO publications and journals. Heather also manages publication inventory, sales and distribution.
Education & Member Development Division Erika M. Watts is responsible for providing operational support and is the primary contact for conference and event registration customer service inquiries. With a remarkable tenure at AACRAO since 1997, Erika has been an integral part of the organization's growth and success. Her diverse expertise and dedication have led her through various pivotal roles in Membership, Human Resources, and Meetings departments. A Washington, DC native, Erika finds joy in exploring new destinations and cultures through her passion for traveling. However, nothing warms her heart more than spending quality time with her beloved family.
Erika provides operational support and is the primary contact for conference and event registration customer service inquiries.
Operations Division Orlando has worked with AACRAO since 2018. He graduated from George Washington University in 2019 with a Bachelor's Degree in International Affairs from the Elliott School at GW. He later earned his Master's in Public Administration from George Mason University. A proud Washingtonian - Orlando likes to run, spend time by the beach, and travel whenever possible.
Orlando serves as the primary customer service contact for AACRAO members, assisting with renewal and member maintenance projects and general operations.
Strategy & Planning Division Joseph places a priority on the needs of AACRAO members and utilizes his wide experience in marketing strategy and technology to support AACRAO's strategic goals. His primary responsibility is to ensure that AACRAO’s ongoing communication and marketing channels operate smoothly and effectively. In addition to this, Joseph works closely with the AACRAO team to ensure that messaging is dynamic, personal, and targeted wherever possible. An Ozark native, Joseph thoroughly enjoys the outdoors, kayaking, motorcycles, and general tinkering in his shop.
Joseph manages marketing initiatives for AACRAO’s various program offerings; including optimizing its web presence. In addition, Joseph serves as Editor of the bi-weekly newsletter, AACRAO Connect.
Strategy & Planning Division Paige Selman Boucher is a member of the Impact and Engagement department at AACRAO. She helps foster both digital and in-person engagement around strategic areas of professional development for AACRAO. She oversees several of AACRAO’s virtual engagement opportunities, including the AACRAO Exchange, the Collectives, and Caucus Gatherings, and works to establish, organize and coordinate communities of practice among AACRAO members. She works closely with the member volunteers, such as the Caucuses and Community and Content Facilitators. Paige joined AACRAO staff in 2023. Prior to AACRAO, she worked at The University of Texas at Dallas as the Peer-Led Team Learning Program Coordinator. She received a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration in 2020 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management in 2017, both from The University of Kansas. Paige currently works remotely from Dallas, Texas. She enjoys checking out local restaurants, drawing, and running.
Paige manages member-driven networks. She encourages collaboration throughout the membership empowering AACRAO professionals to leverage resources, professional functions, and personal identities.
Director, Office of the Registrar Working in higher education for over a decade in various roles in small, large, not-for-profit, and for-profit institutions has given me a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the office of the registrar and enrollment services. My role as an associate registrar and registrar has paved the way for my current position as the Director of the Office of the Registrar for AMDA's New York campus. The current role allows me to refine, develop, and implement policies pertaining to the registrar's office. One of the things that I enjoy the most is finding ways to engage our students, as our office is primarily in a remote setting. I am an active member of AMDA's Academic Council, an excellent way to contribute to the institution's broader mission as a recommending body.
Shannon currently serves as the Registrar at Fox Valley Technical College, located in Appleton, WI. She has served in various student services roles over the past 20+ years. She holds a Master of Science in Student Personnel Administration and is a doctoral candidate at Capella University's PhD in Educational Leadership program. Shannon was an AACRAO 2023 Congressional Hill Day Advocate.
Ramah (Ramie) Nation is the University Registrar and Advisor to the President for Accreditation at Baker University just outside of Kansas City, KS. Ramie has over 15 years of experience in higher education administration and her passion is reinvigorating processes and policies to actively advance the institution’s vision and strategic initiatives for student success. As a professional who has spent her career in private institutions, she has worn many hats and is well-versed in collaborating with all levels and areas of the institution. Ramie has twin 9 year-old daughters and a 3 year old son who light up her life. Ramie is currently serving as the Treasurer of KACRAO (Kansas) and was recently named Vice Chair of the AACRAO Recruitment and Marketing Committee. She hopes Hill Day will offer an opportunity to not only advance higher education as a whole, but to advocate for specific changes that will impact students, staff, faculty, and administrators.
Nathan Congleton joined the University of Kentucky in 2018 as an Associate Registrar. He supervises curriculum maintenance, course and classroom scheduling, and is the primary point of contact in the Office of the University Registrar for FERPA related inquiries. Nathan received his MA in Leadership Studies from Western Kentucky University, and a BA in English from Eastern Kentucky University. Prior to working within the Registrar field, he also worked in Admissions. Overall he has 15+ years of experience in higher education. Nathan is currently the President-Elect for KACRAO and is also serving as LAC chair for SACRAO 2024. Nathan enjoys traveling and shares this passion with his wife Emily, and daughter Elizabeth.
Melissa Bevacqua is the Director of Admissions for Transfer Recruitment at George Mason University. Previous to this, Melissa served as Director of Undergraduate Admissions for the last 6 ½ years, during which time, George Mason has recorded historic enrollment growth. She has been recognized as leading an award-winning team at George Mason University. Melissa brings twenty-two years of enrollment management experience from large, public, comprehensive, R1 institutions to small, private, liberal arts schools. Melissa presents her work at national and regional conferences, and maintains professional memberships with NACAC, AACRAO and their affiliates. She has served on several affiliate committees. Melissa has also served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Health Administration and Human Resources at The University of Scranton, and was recognized as a recipient of the Provost’s Part-Time Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. Melissa graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Spanish, and earned a Master's degree in Human Resource Management from The University of Scranton. She received the Outstanding Human Resources Administration Graduate Award.