Courage + Dreams = Success
AACRAO kicked off its 99th Annual Meeting on Sunday at the Moscone West Convention Center in sunny San Francisco, California. This year’s conference boasts 254 sessions with 454 presenters from 263 institutions, making it the association’s most comprehensive professional development experience to date.
To open the meeting, Marlee Matlin, Academy Award-winning actress and national activist for the rights of those with disabilities, delivered a powerful presentation. With a graceful blend of American Sign Language, an interpreter, and her own voice, Matlin shared the story of her success and the obstacles that she overcame related to her deafness.
Nearly half of the world is affected by disability in some way, Matlin said—yet people with disabilities continue to be misunderstood, marginalized, or simply ignored. Despite the barriers that people face, if they have freedom to choose their own path, access to education, and the opportunity to succeed, people with disabilities can achieve their goals. Matlin challenged attendees to look beyond the disabilities to see that our differences make us more unique, more remarkable, and more beautiful as individuals.
Matlin encouraged members to become a support system to help students—disabled and non-disabled— turn their dreams into realities. She reminded us that we need to focus on and develop the skills and abilities of the students that we serve. Thanks to the support and encouragement of family, friends, teachers and mentors, Matlin says, she was able to overcome perceived barriers and become a dynamic communicator and outspoken advocate for causes close to her heart.
Silence is the last thing that the world will hear from Marlee Matlin.
“Marlee was fantastic,” said attendee Sylvia Cypher, in comments on AACRAO’s Facebook page. “Her message was very powerful.”
“I felt so energized after listening to her,” added Jennifer Minke.
And Jim Feigert described the speech as “inspiring,” saying he was “honored to have been there.”
┬"To join the conversation on AACRAO's growing social media network--and see the picture of Matlin's six-inch pumps that never made it to the stage--Follow AACRAO on Twitter and Like AACRAO on Facebook.
Welcoming first-time attendees
AACRAO welcomed more than 550 first-time annual meeting attendees during the First-Time Attendees Orientation and Welcome. AACRAO President Jeff von Munkwitz-Smith provided an animated introduction to the AACRAO officers. Kathy Beaty, Bradley University Registrar and Program Chair for the 2014 annual meeting in Denver, urged the first-timers to learn from sessions and then to submit ideas for next year’s sessions, or to think of presenting their own sessions directly by going online to sessions.aacrao.org.
The variety of career trajectories and personal stories shared highlighted the rich tapestry that is AACRAO. Sitting at roundtables facilitated by seasoned AACRAO members, participants introduced themselves and described their jobs, career paths, and commonalities and differences. They discussed topics ranging from financial aid to registration processes to enrollment management and other professional responsibilities”and looked for information and resources that would help them grow in their roles on campus. For example, one attendee from Oregon State University, which has a large international student population, hoped the conference would help her find ideas on international marketing.
“I will check in with each of you as the year progresses,” promised facilitator Dennis Geyer, Registrar at California State University-Sacramento, “and make sure you are put in contact with the people who can work with you and help you get involved.”
By: AACRAO Connect