by Tina Falkner, AACRAO VP for Records and Academic Services; Jacquelyn Elliott, AACRAO VP for International Education; and Brad Myers, Past President of AACRAO
Over the past year, the Board has been discussing ways to increase the knowledge base of association members and subsequently the association. One aspect of this conversation has focused on improving and increasing the number of online courses. Last summer, a group of AACRAO members were selected to join the faculty teaching online Registrar 101 and that same group of faculty are actively working on revamping, updating and enhancing the course. In addition to the winter and summer offerings this year, for the first time since AACRAO began offering online Registrar 101, there were so many people on the waiting list for the fall offering that a second course is being offered this fall. That means there will be more than 100 new professionals this year equipped with the information and tools they need to do their jobs better, more efficiently, and with more confidence. And, it underscores the need for us to continually look at how we can expand the training we offer.
That being said, the International Education area is starting work on creating online courses to help meet their constituents' needs. A small working committee has been meeting to produce an outline of course offerings at both the beginning and intermediate levels. International recruitment and credential evaluation are two topics currently under consideration. If you are interested in being a possible instructor for one of these summer online offerings, please let the national office know.
Are there other professional development courses you think AACRAO should be offering? If so, please share.