Jenny Parks

Vice President, Policy and Research,Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC)

Jenny Parks is Vice President of Policy and Research at the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC). She leads the exploration, development, and implementation of projects that help Midwestern postsecondary institutions improve the way they serve students. Jenny has worked at all levels and in multiple sectors of education, including state and federal compliance, institutional research, accreditation, and policy advocacy. She earned her master’s degree in educational policy and research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her doctorate in higher education administration from Northeastern University in Boston.

Loralyn Taylor

Associate Provost, Institutional Effectiveness and Analytics, Ohio University

Over the past 6 years as the Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Analytics at Ohio University, Loralyn has been leading the transition from a more traditional IR office to a more proactive and responsive decision-support unit. Developing both new data and information resources and promoting the data literacy needed to gain actionable insights, Loralyn’s team is also focused on supporting the institutional decision-makers at all levels of the university. A reformed registrar and director of analytics for student success initiatives, Loralyn has presented on student success, analytics, ethical use of data, change management, and data literacy for over 10 years both nationally and internationally. Previously, Loralyn designed and implemented a comprehensive student success program at Paul Smith’s College that won the 2015 University Business Inaugural Models of Excellence Program, the 2013 Lee Noel, Randi Levitz Retention Excellence Award and the Starfish 360 Student Success Award. 

Daniel Wright

Assistant Director Transfer & Transition Advising Center, University of Cincinnati

I have spent my entire career working in higher education, specifically in areas of advising and student success. I began my career at the University of Kentucky as a primary advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences where I spent three years and also began my work towards a doctorate in Educational Leadership. I left UK in 2018 to pursue a more centralized role in Enrollment Management at the University of Cincinnati – where I have spent the past 6 years.

Christopher Weldon

Sr. Coodinator of Institutional Reporting, Augusta University

I am Christopher O. Weldon, Sr. Coordinator of Institutional Reporting at Augusta University.  I have been in higher education for 27 years, in institutional research for 23 years, and worked at Augusta University for 18 years.  I hold an undergraduate degree in Sociology from Presbyterian College and an M.Ed. in Education, Assessment, Research, and Learning from Georgia Southern University. I recently obtained a post-masters certificate in Transfer Leadership and Practice from the University of North Georgia I have worked closely with Admission Offices and Registrar Offices throughout my career, having roles in both offices at my first institution.  I work closely with our registrar and other data stewards to assist with data integrity and data validation.  I also work on data governance committees at Augusta University and our system office (University System of Georgia). I believe that a glossary of academic terms helps to ensure consistency for a common language used across institutions which helps to avoid information gaps.

Zach Waymer

Government Affairs Officer, Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Zach Waymer has been with the Higher Learning Commission for 10 years and has served as the Government Affairs Officer for the past four years where he manages all advocacy, communication, and collaboration with federal, state, and local branches of government on legislation, policy, and regulations. Prior to his work in accreditation, Zach worked in the administrations of Ohio Governors Ted Strickland and John Kasich for the Ohio Department of Higher Education where he directed statewide grants to expand cooperative education and internships, implemented programs to align higher education and the workforce, and managed initiatives for disability services, textbooks, veterans, college savings plans, sustainability, efficiencies, and data. Zach started his career in higher education at The Ohio State University in Student Life managing one of the largest college health insurance programs in the country and subsequently worked
in Academic Affairs for the University Registrar as a residency and FERPA officer. Zach lives in Chicago, is a certified sailor, and stays active in the community with volunteer board positions. Connect with Zach on LinkedIn.

Kim Lewis

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management & Registrar, Indiana University

Micol Hutchison

Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor, Virginia Community College System

Micol Hutchison, Ph.D., is Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor for Policy and Instructional Support Services for the Virginia Community College System. In her prior roles as Director of Transfer and Director of Pathways, she worked with Virginia’s public and private two- and four-year colleges to ensure that community college students had the opportunity to identify and pursue their academic and professional passions, and follow a financially viable path to a bachelor’s degree. She also served as Director of Program Development and Student Success, Associate Director of the Interdisciplinary Studies program, and faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University. Pursuing her passions, her dedication to higher education and teaching, and an unconventional path, she has undergraduate and graduate degrees in Mathematics and Russian, and received her doctorate in Education, focusing on first-generation college students.


Jared Abdirkin

Director State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, New England Board of Higher Education

Jared is currently the Director, Institutional Engagement & Initiatives for the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). His work focuses on engaging with institutions to further and enhance their understanding of SARA,  the SARA policy modification cycle, and striving for an ongoing seamless experience for SARA participation. Prior to coming to NC-SARA Jared was the Director of SARA for the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) and served on the organization’s team of Senior Directors. While at NEBHE he also focused on “administrative holds”, seeking to understand and encourage institutions to adjust their practices for the benefit of student completion. Prior to joining NEBHE Jared spent a decade in mostly public postsecondary institutions focused on academic affairs, program and college leadership, and admission and retention efforts, first as an academic advisor and then as an Assistant Dean. He also taught and coordinated several undergraduate courses. Jared earned a BS degree in Human Development and an MS degree in College Student Personnel from the University of Rhode Island.

Alistair Wylie

Founder and Managing Director of Bell-Wylie Consulting

Alistair Bell Wylie is the founder and Managing Director of Bell-Wylie Consulting (www.bellwylie.com), a multi-disciplinary international education consulting and credential evaluation business. Prior to setting up the consultancy, he worked for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) for 18 years in senior roles overseeing some of the most significant changes in Scottish education in recent times. During a 30-year career in education, he has also worked as a teacher, lecturer, author, entrepreneur and internationally with a focus on the accreditation and regulation of vocational education across the Middle East. He is also an active non-executive director holding positions on several boards in Scotland.

Maria Madrano

Director of Special Projects at the UTSA Graduate School

Maria Medrano, Ph.D., is the Director of Special Projects at the UTSA Graduate School where she collaborates with campus partners seeking training grants from various federal funding agencies. She also conducts research to develop evidence-based programming for graduate students, especially as it relates to wellbeing. Dr. Medrano obtained her Ph.D. in psychology from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). She has been assisting prospective students from diverse backgrounds in starting their graduate education journey in her role at the Graduate School since August 2015, with a major focus on equitable access to graduate education for underrepresented minority students. Her research focuses on first-generation graduate students and their transition from undergraduate programs from a socio-cultural perspective as well as mental health.

Keep Running with Us: An Innovative Program at a Hispanic-Serving Institution Designed to Increase Graduate Enrollment of Hispanic/Latinx Students

Josie Martinez

Assistant Registrar for Transfer Credit Articulation, University of Notre Dame

Josie is the Assistant Registrar for transfer credit articulation at the University of Notre Dame. As a teaching defector, Josie "fell into" higher education and started out in the program of General Studies at (formerly) Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, a program that received a high number of returning students, adult students, transfers. Through her start in General Studies she found her niche in transfer articulation and has continued to move up, working specifically in transfer credit creating efficient processes to make students' transitions easier. As a registrar employee, Josie conscientiously advises and makes decisions knowing there are people behind the external college credits she sees in her work and strives to put those students' best interests first. 

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Catharine Punchello

Vice Provost and University Registrar at Thomas Edison State University

Catharine Punchello is a Vice Provost and University Registrar at Thomas Edison State University and was a 2024 AACRAO Congressional Hill Day Advocate.

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Elvia Bow

Assistant Director Registrar Office at Pima Community College

Elvia Bow is a Assistant Director Registrar Office at Pima Community College and was a 2024 AACRAO Congressional Hill Day Advocate.

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Amy Gleason

Assistant Registrar at Duke University

Amy Gleason is a Assistant Registrar at Duke University and was a 2024 AACRAO Congressional Hill Day Advocate.

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Bryant Faust

Associate Dean and Registrar at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Bryant Faust is an Associate Dean and Registrar at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and was a 2024 AACRAO Congressional Hill Day Advocate.

Audra McQuarie

Audra McQuarie

Vice President, Registrar at University of Phoenix

Audra McQuarie is a Vice President, Registrar at University of Phoenix and was a 2024 AACRAO Congressional Hill Day Advocate.

Nicholas Tonozzi

Nicholas Tonozzi

Associate University Registrar at Northwestern University

Nicholas Tonozzi is an Associate University Registrar at Northwestern University and was a 2024 AACRAO Congressional Hill Day Advocate.

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Kenneth Drake

Associate Registrar at New York University

Kenneth Drake is a Associate Registrar at New York University and was a 2024 AACRAO Congressional Hill Day Advocate.

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Blake Bedsole

Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at Troy University

Blake Bedsole is a Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at Troy University and was a 2024 AACRAO Congressional Hill Day Advocate.

Ryan Hunt

Ryan Hunt

University Registrar at The Ohio State University

Ryan Hunt is a University Registrar at The Ohio State University and was a 2024 AACRAO Congressional Hill Day Advocate.