by Claye Eubanks, Associate Registrar at the University of Central Arkansas
ArkACRAO held its annual Fall Conference on October 7th through the 9th in historic Texarkana, Arkansas. The theme this year was “Start Fast… Finish Strong” focusing on presentations and speakers intended to provide attendees with a holistic career perspective and a taste of what ArkACRAO and other professional organizations such as AACRAO and our regional affiliate SACRAO could provide for their development.
The backdrop of the beautiful Texarkana city hall served as a poignant metaphor to the occasion. With two city governments housed in one building it underscored the joint interests and collaborative missions of the offices of Registration/Records and Admissions/Recruitment. Which was especially topical as an admissions session got, well… pumped up, in acoustic proximity to a registration session that was more… registrar-ish. It is our differences when apart that make us stronger as a group.
Keynote speaker Dr. Charles Petty CSP, CPAE, Ph.D., an alumni of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia Arkansas, provided an inspirational and entertaining presentation on balancing professional and personal relationships. The audience was regaled by this ambassador of southern charm as he drew out their largely misaligned assumptions about their significant others and explained how his own challenging beginnings led to a remarkable and well balanced life. He provided a tremendous example of how to find and maintain a pace which allows one to Start Fast and Finish Strong.
Bookending the conference focus for attendees where a roundtable discussion with nearly a dozen past presidents of ArkACRAO and a session for Mentor Meet-Up. Panelists in the roundtable constructed a collage of genuine experiences demonstrating how a personal dedication to your profession and professional development can enrich all aspects of your life. At Mentor Meet-Up members new to the organization and/or profession had a chance to get together and discuss career goals and aspirations as well as find seasoned members to help point them toward those goals.
Additional session topics included legislative panels, Diversity Matters, Reverse Transfer Initiatives, Credentialing in Higher Education, Project Management, and a presentation by Dr. Brett Powell the Director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education among others.