Award: Elbert W. Ockerman State and Regional Professional Activity Award Winner: Ohio Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (OACRAO) Project: OACRAO Summer Institute The OACRAO Summer Institute (OSI) is a three-day intensive workshop that is geared toward newer professionals but designed to allow all participants to gain from the experience, including the “faculty” leaders. This immersive experience provides opportunities for attendees to reflect upon their own strengths, develop their leadership capabilities, learn more about the profession, explore emerging trends, and expand their network of colleagues. Intended for a small target cohort of 20-30 participants, OSI is led by a faculty group of six experienced members. The faculty members serve as mentors for smaller mentee groups within the larger OSI cohort. In advance of OSI, faculty mentors reach out to each of their mentees to introduce themselves and serve as a resource not only before OSI, but also during and after the event. The curriculum is designed to facilitate small group activity and discussion. While there are specific topics in the curriculum, OSI allows for discussion on any topic by including campfire discussion, meals, team-building activities, etc. The goal is to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to ask any question while attending. If a participant leaves and has a question, they have a built-in network of colleagues that includes, but is not limited to, their assigned faculty mentor. OSI was first offered in 2013 and was conceptualized by then OACRAO President Dan Wilson, Registrar at Muskingum University. The fourth and most recent offering of OSI was held in August 2018. OSI has served 76 participants over the four offerings and has featured 15 different experienced OACRAO members serving as faculty. OSI has not only enhanced its participants and faculty in their path towards personal and professional growth, it has also enriched the entire OACRAO organization by developing and attracting members who are new to the profession. OSI has quickly developed into a flagship event for OACRAO, and we look forward to the next edition of OSI planned for 2020! Learn More about AACRAO Awards