Role: Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Arlene Wesley Cash is the interim Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at the San Francisco Art Institute. Prior to starting at SFAI, Cash served for 10 years as vice president for enrollment management at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA and consulted with a number of liberal arts colleges and research universities on the development of strategic enrollment plans and issues of diversity and access. While in her current position, she manages the offices of admissions, financial aid, the cashier, housing and student-life, Cash has also led career planning and placement, student support programs, TRIO programs, disability services, continuing-education, graduate, law and dental enrollment and student information systems.
In addition to her leadership at Spelman, Cash served as dean of enrollment at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and held admission and financial aid leadership roles at UMass Amherst, Brandeis University, Boston University and Kent State University. Throughout her career, she has served professionally and in a voluntary capacity with Upward Bound programs across the country, including those at Kent State University, UMass Boston, Brandeis University and Case Western Reserve University. Further, she has served on the residential life staff at Wellesley College, Kent State University and Brandeis University.
Cash has served on a number of boards and committees of the College Board, including the College Scholarship Services Board, Commission on Access and Equity, Midwestern Region Board, Retention Advisory Board, the HBCU advisory panel and the Dream Deferred Coordinating Conference Committee. She has also held a number of posts as a member of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, including their nominations committee, the statement of ethics review and national conference planning. Cash has served as a faculty member of the Harvard University - College Board Summer Admissions Institute. She is currently the chair of the US News and World Report Deans' Advisory Committee where she has served for 20 years, and where she has been committed to transparency in reporting, providing access to the full spectrum of their resources to disadvantaged schools and students, and equitable and reasonable weighting of the various factors which contribute to rankings. She is also an emeritus member of the board of advisors of InsideTrack and serves as the board chair for the National Research Center for College and University Admissions.
A frequent presenter at conferences and professional meetings, Cash has been interviewed for NPR's Talk of the Nation, participated in a panel presentation on NBC's Today Show and is the author of numerous articles on college admissions, student success programs, diversity in higher education and student debt. She earned her bachelor's degrees from Keuka College in Keuka Park, NY with an Independent Studies major combining the disciplines of philosophy and literature, a master's in philosophy at Kent State University, and is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in higher education leadership at the University of Georgia.
Role: Senior Director of ERP & Business Intelligence
Tuan has over 20 years of IT experience, of which over 15 years have been dedicated to mid to senior level IT production/operation management and consultation. Tuan has been involved in several development projects, utilizing agile style programming to consult and develop project plans and technical documents for different stakeholders within the campus community as well as in the California State University wide collaborative environment.
Tuan's current role is in central ITS as Senior Director of ERP & Business Intelligence, overseeing PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, HRMS and Finance. Tuan formerly served as Director of Enrollment Management Technology within Student Affairs & Enrollment Management at San Francisco State University. Tuan has been with the university for over 20 years.
Tuan has been the California Representative of the AACRAO SPEEDE Committee since 2003 and has served as Chair of the committee. Tuan has also served as Vice-President and President of the Singularity Users Management Team (SUMiT) as well as being active members of the Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council (PESC) Change Control Board, PESC Technical Advisory Board, co-chair of the PESC Education Record Users Group and is currently serving as the AACRAO Liaison on the PESC Board of Directors. Most of Tuan’s efforts have been through providing Webinars, Presentations, and Workshops as well as being a contributing author to the AACRAO EDX Primer.
The goal is to be of service, provide guidance and direction to the next generation of leaders, and to make a meaningful difference to the higher education community. Along with the capacity to set and attain goals, Tuan has always been proud of the fact that he is education first. He supports and encourages professional growth and emphasizes that the main mission of any university is the student. To meet this objective means ensuring staff and faculty have the tools they need to perform their jobs efficiently and effectively.
Amanda Steele-Middleton has served as the University Registrar at the University of Delaware since February 2020. She has had the privilege to serve students, faculty, and staff in higher education for nearly two decades at institutions both small and large, public and private. Amanda is a self-described data nerd with a deep commitment to collaborating to improve systems that enhance the academic experience and help students meet degree attainment goals. She is passionate about ensuring that registrar’s offices have positive brand management, supports a primarily remote work arrangement with team members, and promotes the positive impact registrar teams can have on the work satisfaction for faculty and staff.
Victoria (Tori) has served in various higher education positions for over 30 years. Her primary role has been as university registrar at private Christian universities in Portland, OR, Montreat, NC and (currently) Grand Rapids, MI. With a passion for empowering student success, Tori has focused on interdepartmental collaboration in student services, creating consistency in academic policies and processes, curriculum development, and ensuring best practices are followed in alignment with external accrediting and reporting requirements. Serving on small university campuses has also afforded her a wide range of opportunities to pursue other interests in academia: teaching, music, theater and a range of task teams.
Heather Bjorgan is the Dean of Enrollment Management at Black Hawk College. She is responsible for the development, implementation, coordination and institutional leadership for the college-wide recruitment and admission process. She oversees the student services division that includes dual enrollment coordinators, recruiters, financial aid, registrar, and advising offices. Previously, Bjorgan was the Registrar for Black Hawk College.
Before joining Black Hawk College, Bjorgan was a Policy and Project Manager for Ashford University, as well as Associate University Registrar. She has over 22 years of experience in higher education student services, policy, and project management areas.
Black’s higher education experience spans the SEM continuum from admissions through alumni engagement. Her current position allows her to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to support student success through the use of technology and data. This work is informed by 10 years of graduate professional student advising, working with students through challenges and celebrating successes.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jena-black-98723853/
Capstone: A descriptive analysis of factors that may impact on-time degree completion in a two-year, graduate professional program.
Factors Influencing On-Time Degree Completion in a Two-Year, Graduate Professional Program
Kim Conrad has 6 years of higher education sales and marketing experience in the EdTech space and was a high school teacher for two years in Kentucky. In her current role at Modern Campus, she handles the marketing strategies around two of Modern Campus’s product lines: DIGARC and Omni CMS. She strives to work collaboratively with Registrars, Marketers, IT and many other departments on campus. Kim’s focus is educating the higher ed market about the Modern Campus solutions and how incorporating technology into your strategic plan can save time, money and make for a better all around experience for staff and students.
Michelle Mott currently serves AACRAO as a consultant providing project management support to the association's innovative credential projects and initiatives. She also works as a communications consultant for Sova and manages individual projects as an independent contractor. With over 15 years of experience in higher education policy and communications, Mott has a proven track record of driving impactful campaigns and initiatives, leveraging the power of advocacy and communications to drive positive change. Previously, she served as AACRAO's director of public policy, championing policies and best practices that support the development of inclusive educational environments, diverse pathways, and successful learning outcomes. In previous roles, she led advocacy efforts and communications strategies that helped to elevate the association’s legislative impact, developing compelling narratives to educate stakeholders and advance key reforms. Mott began her career as a substitute history teacher in Mississippi.Mott’s passion for education and the opportunities that it can afford is deeply personal, inspired by her father’s achievements as a speaker of English as a second language and the first in his family to earn a bachelor’s degree. Her own academic journey includes a master’s degree in history and public policy from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Millsaps College.
Brenda Selman serves as the Assistant Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and the University Registrar for the University of Missouri, in Columbia (a.k.a. Mizzou!) Her entire career has been in higher education, primarily in admissions, registration and enrollment management. During her 20 plus year tenure at the Mizzou she has focused on continued improvement in service to the campus community, leading the implementation of the student information system, moving services to online delivery, streamlining policies and removing barriers in processes to enhance student retention and success. She is currently leading contributor to campus efforts related to Alternative Digital Credentials and a new degree audit and planning system. Brenda’s portfolio includes the MU Student Veterans Center and the MU Student Information System, as well as the Office of the University Registrar. Prior to working at the MU, Brenda worked in a variety of roles at the University of Kansas including Assistant Director of Admissions and Associate Registrar.
Brenda has been active in AACRAO for over 30 years. She is currently serving on the Vice President for Admissions and Enrollment Management. She formerly held the positions of chair of the Enrollment Management and Student Success and Federal Compliance Committee committees. She’s participated in Hill Day, served as a member of the Nominations and Elections Committee, and the AACRAO Student Identity Workgroup as well as the Comprehensive Learner Record AACRAO/NASPA and a regular presenter at the Annual Conference.
Brenda is a member of MACRAO (Missouri) and held numerous leadership positions including President, Treasurer, Vice President for Government Relations and various committee chairs. She is also an honorary member of KACRAO (Kansas) where she was Vice President for Records and Registration, and chaired a variety of committees.
AACRAO Role: Vice President for Admissions and Enrollment Management - Board of Directors
For the past twenty-five years, I have been blessed with many opportunities and learning moments, especially from my colleagues in AACRAO. Just like the majority of those in our industry, I did not major in this, nor did I expect to find myself holding the position of University Registrar at some point. I had a few wonderful mentors and peers who saw something in me and helped me grow and develop by introducing me to our wonderful organization and then allowing me the opportunity to attend a meeting.
I have a unique insight having worked in various aspects of Enrollment Management – in Admissions, Financial Aid, and Registrar offices which helped create more of a connection of how all of our work is intertwined. These experiences and interactions, along with the confidence of my direct leadership helped my passion grow. Not just from attending the annual meetings, or serving on a committee but being given the opportunity to use my own skills and knowledge by stepping up to help as a committee chair, PAC Coordinator and then ultimately helping to plan as the Chair our first ever Virtual Annual meeting {2021}.
And I am not done, I continue my service with additional committees and wherever else I am called. I want to continue that service and wish to continue contributing to the future of our professions. I want to see us all become 22nd-century leaders, not just supporting the 21st century but for us to work beyond anything we will see in our lifetime. There is so much great work we are doing, out-of-the-box thinking, and new ways to move our paths in a better direction. I learn something new every day – have for my twenty-five years in higher education and am unwavering in my commitment to moving the needle in doing more for our profession. I
Beth Warner is the Deputy University Registrar at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She holds a B.A. from Wartburg College and an M.S. from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. Warner has served WACRAO and AACRAO in varying positions since 2006. Warner is a 2024 AACRAO Congressional Hill Day Advocate. Warner was on the Women Supporting Women For the Record Podcast and currently serves on the Student Academic Records Committee. Her LinkedIn is: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethwarner/
Slate Position: Vice President for Records and Academic Services
Position Statement:
As a seasoned professional with broad experience in academic records services, my career trajectory is marked by service to a diverse array of institutional types, leadership roles, and a commitment to academic service enhancement. I am incredibly excited to be considered for AACRAO’s Vice President for Records & Academic Services, a position with responsibilities and expectations which align seamlessly with my career evolution.
Starting as a student records specialist and progressing to my current role as Deputy University Registrar, I have successfully fostered a track record of managing complex academic service and record functions at institutions ranging from a two-year college to a flagship university. My expertise navigating the intersection of academic policies with student record and compliance standards ensures a thorough understanding of the operational and strategic acumen necessary for this role. My leadership has been, and continues to be, instrumental in implementing innovative solutions streamlining academic services, thereby improving efficiency and student satisfaction.
I have a robust background in professional development which includes having successfully developed and led numerous workshops, presentations, and trainings aimed at enhancing Registrar and Enrollment Management professional knowledge. My involvement in these initiatives underscores my passionate belief in our profession as key to the academy. As Vice President for Records & Academic Services, I will remain committed to fostering a culture of continual learning, professional growth, and development within the AACRAO community.
In my institutional, Wisconsin ACRAO, and AACRAO roles, I thrive in researching and actively engaging in emerging issues in higher education. I consistently demonstrate my ability to provide strategic direction to address current and future challenges and collaborate with state and national peers to ensure our profession remains responsive and proactive. Simultaneously, I mindfully navigate ambiguity and adversity while instilling a curious investigative approach to change management.
My involvement in and leadership of myriad committees and special projects has equipped me with a collaborative approach and deep understanding of governance and strategic planning. I am adept at representing the interests of heterogenous groups of stakeholders and ensuring initiatives align with the broader mission, vision, values, and goals of the organization.
I believed my comprehensive experience aligned well with the Vice President for Records & Academic Services role but receiving nominations from so many leaders I admire in our profession has been both validating and humbling. It has also energized me and underscored the passion I feel for advancing AACRAO’s mission, objectives, and our entire professional community. Thank you for the opportunity and your consideration.
Over the last five years, actively engaging in AACRAO, the organization that supports the development of our entire profession, has been fulfilling and rewarding. At the 2022 conference, I chaired the Graduate and Professional Schools Committee and presented on telecommuting. I also volunteered at the Portland Booth and at the First-Time Attendee Session. In previous years, I have presented on social justice in our everyday jobs, negotiation skills, curriculum and more. I’ve also spoken on a social justice focused panel and worked to begin a social justice listserv. I love giving back and offering my service, and am eager to continue doing so in new ways.
My perspective comes from working at a private institution where many of the students my office serves, study in the health professions. I strongly value the support and experiences I have gained through AACRAO in the Graduate and Professional Schools Committee, attending some AAPI Caucus meetings and events, and other formal and informal AACRAO groups.
Currently, I am in my thirteenth year serving as the Registrar at the University of Mary Washington. My prior higher education experience includes undergraduate and graduate admissions and TRIO programs. Additionally, my experience encompasses HBCUs, predominately white institutions, and community colleges. With over 25 years of higher education experience, I am a proven leader who communicates effectively, evaluates information analytically, and promotes inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. These years of experience have allowed participation in AACRAO membership at state, regional, and national associations. As a result of the many years of participation, I have developed a national network of association members who are potential candidates to serve in leadership positions.
Further, as an active member of the associations, I have presented with colleagues from my respective institution, other institutions as well as vendor presentations. The presentations and workshops have consisted of Electronic Exchange of PDF Transcripts (VACRAO, 2014) with National Student Clearinghouse; Implementation of Electronic Transcripts (SACRAO, 2015); We Can Be Social (AACRAO, 2017); Five Dysfunctions of a Team (AACRAO, 2022).
My entire 27-year career has been in higher education. I have had the pleasure to work under, with, and alongside many colleagues over the years, who have provided mentorship and friendship to me. My involvement and continued support of associations like AACRAO gives me the opportunity to pay it forward.
Connection, Inclusion, and Engagement are three principles I believe are key to the work of AACRAO. The power of AACRAO is only as strong as the members they serve and is dependent on engaging its membership with current and relevant opportunities to foster professional growth and build a network of connected colleagues.
Now more than ever it is critical that we ensure the voices of our membership is represented whether that be through nominations or voting, opportunities to present at an event, or collaborating to support one of AACRAO’s key initiatives. As the pressure continues to build across the field of higher education to reassert its value, its imperative that we foster connections, and ensure membership is engaged and presented with opportunities to share their story and help shape the future of AACRAO.
As members of the higher education community, we all know how valuable it is to give back to our peers, which is one of the many reasons to have joined AACRAO. The opportunity to give back by selecting from the many talented and engaged members who wish to participate in AACRAO in the capacity of a board member is a commitment not to be taken lightly and one that I would be honored to take on. As President of Illinois-ACRAO, I knew the value of having engaged members participate in the running of the organization and planning of events. As a committee chair with AACRAO, I’ve felt the impact when engagement was lacking or leadership was waning.
I have served on the State & Regionals Committee as a member, co-chair, and chairperson over the last several years. During my time on the committee, I have enjoyed our role of bringing leaders from state/regional organizations together to share their best practices and innovative ideas. It been exhilarating to learn new ideas from so many; but honestly, the best part has been meeting and getting to know such wonderful people from institutions all over the country (and sometimes beyond).
I value the professional growth I acquire by participating in AACRAO Leadership. It's a great opportunity for me personally and also a way for me to help keep the organization stay strong by participating as an active member.
My involvement at the national level with AACRAO and at the state level at president-elect, president, past-president, and member of the Nominations & Award Committee of Wisconsin ACRAO (WACRAO), I've learned that what appears to be easy in terms of running an organization is anything but -- it takes a great deal of time and dedication by a lot of people to keep the organizations thriving, and for beneficial conferences and annual meetings to happen every year.
Portia has worked in higher education for over 10 years, holding roles in scheduling and degree audit. While learning and working in higher education, she has maintained the focus of student and regained a focus in technology and has become a Product Manager within the Office of Technology and Digital Innovation, assisting in enhancing the student experience through our web and mobile applications. In addition to student work, she also works in fostering an environment of diversity and inclusion and served as the Chair of her former department’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, co-host on AACRAO’s podcast H.E.A.R.D. (Higher Education and Real Diversity) and serves as the AACRAO Black Caucus Social Media Vice Chair.
Portia currently serves as AACRAO’s Group VII’s Program Coordinator and a member of Tech and Transfer Summit Advisory Committee. She is also the outgoing 23/24 member of the Nominations and Elections Committee.
Sofia has served in several positions for the Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, including as Past-President, and having served on the executive committee of the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions officers.
Ken McVearry is a senior specialist for the Postsecondary Data Partnership -- a first-of-its-kind nationwide effort to help institutions mobilize for student success and equity via comprehensive data, dashboards, and centralized reporting -- at the National Student Clearinghouse. As part of his role with the Postsecondary Data Partnership, Ken serves the evolving needs of the higher education industry by advocating for improved student success and outcomes via data informed decision making. Prior to joining the Clearinghouse, he served as the chief student affairs officer and dean of students at a private liberal arts university. Ken has held various positions in support of student engagement throughout his over 20-year career. Ken holds a B.A. in political science from Loyola University Maryland and an M.Ed. in experiential learning and development from Plymouth State University.