This month, we interview Stan DeMerritt, Ph.D., Associate Academic Vice President at Wayland Baptist University. He has been an AACRAO member since 1998, and is currently serving as the Vice President for Finance. We got to find out more about what the Vice President for Finance has been up to the past 2 and half years, and about his passion for both the profession and the association.
How did you get started in higher education? Briefly describe your career path to the present.
After graduating in 1995, I applied for a job in the registrar’s office and was not hired. A year later, the registrar sought me out and gave me a chance as a registration coordinator for the external campus registrations and the VA Certifying Official. About 18 months later I was promoted to the position of associate registrar and then registrar in 2000. My current position of associate academic vice president was vacated by the current provost in the fall of 2005 and I was promoted again to my current position, in February 2006.
What is your most memorable professional accomplishment?
The accomplishment that I am most proud of is working with the Registrar’s Office to achieve a high favorable rating with the university community. This took several years to garner the trust of administration and the faculty. The hard work of creating a collegial environment for those who came in contact with the office has assisted me in advancing my career within the University.
How long have you been an AACRAO member?
I became an AACRAO member in October 1998 and attended my first AACRAO in Charlotte in 1999. Since that time I have only missed two annual meetings.
What has been your most memorable AACRAO Annual Meeting, and why?
It is difficult to pick one most memorable AACRAO Annual Meeting. The 2010 meeting in New Orleans was fantastic as we celebrated the association’s centennial. However, the 2011 meeting in Seattle comes up in conversations the most. I had successfully defended my dissertation just a few days prior to the meeting. It was awesome being able to share that accomplishment with my national network of colleagues.
What advice would you give to newer AACRAO members about how to get involved in AACRAO leadership? Maybe provide some examples from your path to the Board.
The best way to become involved in AACRAO is to step forward and say, “Use me where you need me!” At the Seattle Meeting in 2001, I volunteered to assist with the First-Time Attendee Booth and then landed on the Membership Services Committee. After two years, I became the chair and eventually the program coordinator for Group IV Leadership and Management Development. I also served several years as coordinator for Group V Access and Equity. From there I was asked to be the program chair for the 2012 Philadelphia Annual Meeting and eventually nominated to the board position of Vice President for Finance. It was not an overnight occurrence. From the first time I volunteered to the point of being on the board was more than 10 years. It may seem like a long time, yet it feels like yesterday and I would not trade the experience. Being involved has been the best way that I found to network.
Can you describe some of your duties as the Vice President for Finance?
Most recent board initiatives related to the VP of Finance role include the development of a value statement and composite list of services provided to the membership. The goal is to be able to use this piece as a point of recruitment and retention of members. The Finance Committee of the board continues to work on membership initiatives that were outlined in the taskforce groups (LINK TO REPORT Int- http://www.aacrao.org/home/about/leadership/task-force-on-international-admission-and-credential-evaluation) to assure the association is meeting the needs of admissions, registrar, international credential evaluators, and enrollment services personnel. Lease agreements and options are also being explored as the current lease ends in 2018. The long-term investment funds are monitored continually by the committee and Executive Director Reilly with adjustments as necessary in cooperation with the investment manager.
What are some of your favorite hobbies?
I enjoy day hiking and camping. There is nothing like the joy of being able to disconnect from devices and the stress of life!