By Paige Selman Boucher, AACRAO Community and Volunteer Manager
AACRAO is proud to announce our new 2025-2026 Program Committee members. This dedicated group is pivotal in shaping the premier professional development event for higher education professionals – the AACRAO Annual Meeting. The Program Committee works hard to help create an engaging program for the Annual Meeting each year. They actively seek session proposals throughout the year, focusing on the most relevant issues facing higher education professionals in admissions, enrollment, and academic services. The committee aims to curate a program that caters to AACRAO members’ wide variety of interests and needs across seven key groups.
Committee Leadership
Erin Mason, University Registrar at the University of Utah, will continue to serve for the upcoming year, moving into the role of Program Committee Chair. As Chair, Mason shares her wealth of experience including serving as a Program Committee Coordinator, Professional Activities Committee (PAC) Chair, Nominations and Elections Committee member, conference presenter, and 20 years of higher education experience. Mason’s expertise will help guide the Program Committee preparing for the 2026 Annual Meeting.
Portia LaMarr, Product Manager at The Ohio State University, joins Mason in leading the Program Committee. LaMarr is the outgoing Program Committee Group 7 Coordinator, and will continue to share her extensive experience in her new role. LaMarr is currently Chair of the Black Caucus and co-host on AACRAO’s podcast “H.E.A.R.D. (Higher Education and Real Diversity).” She has served as a member of the Nominations and Elections Committee, various advisory groups, and several PACs. With over 10 years of higher education experience, LaMarr combines her AACRAO and professional experiences to offer unique perspectives and insights as she takes on this new role.
Also joining the team:
Jessica Alberhasky, Senior Associate Registrar for Student Academic Systems at the University of Iowa will serve as Program Committee Group 4 Coordinator (Leadership and Management Development).
Jason Johnson, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services at Oklahoma City Community College will serve as Program Committee Group 7 Coordinator (Workshops and Special Topics).
Continuing their Valuable Service
Several experienced coordinators will remain in their roles, ensuring continuity and a deep understanding of their respective areas:
Group 1 (Admissions and Enrollment Management): Kimberly Sanders, Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management at Prairie View A&M University.
Group 2 (International Education): Opal Leeman Bartzis, Ed.D., Assistant Dean for Global Learning and Innovation and Executive Director for Education Abroad at Michigan State University.
Group 3 (Records and Academic Services): Joni Krueger, Registrar and Assistant Vice Provost of Academic Affairs at Augustana University.
Group 5 (Access and Equity): Sasha Suzuki, Deputy Registrar at the University of Utah.
Group 6 (Information Technology): Scott Campbell, Associate Vice President & University Registrar at the University of Chicago.
Application Review
The Vice Chair and Program Coordinator applications underwent a meticulous review process. AACRAO's leadership carefully considered each candidate's qualifications and commitment to the organization's mission, including Associate Executive Director for Education and Member Development, Tina DeNeen, Ed.D., current Program Committee Chair, Dan Weber, and the AACRAO Board of Directors.
What’s Next for Getting Involved?
The 2025-2026 Program Committee will begin planning for the 2026 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana after the conclusion of this year’s 110th AACRAO Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington.
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