By Autumn Walden, Editor, AACRAO Connect, Content Strategy Manager, AACRAO
As we look ahead to the 110th AACRAO Annual Meeting, we continue our tradition of AACRAO Awards, recognizing those who have shaped our profession. Since 1959, AACRAO has honored individuals whose dedication and leadership have made a lasting impact on higher education. Honorary Membership, one of our most distinguished recognitions, is given to retiring members who have demonstrated exceptional service to the association and the field. Recipients enjoy lifelong benefits, including free meeting registration and waived dues—a testament to their enduring importance to our community.
This year, we are delighted to present this honor to Julia Pomerenk, whose retirement marks the culmination of an exemplary 30-year journey in higher education. As University Registrar and Associate Vice President at the University of Oregon since 2017, following roles at Washington State and Pacific Lutheran universities, Pomerenk has consistently embodied our association's values. She has championed student success while actively shaping the profession through AACRAO, PACRAO, and state CRAOs. Her service as AACRAO's Vice President for Records and Student Services and her foundational work with PACRAO's Leadership Development Institute highlight why she is the perfect embodiment of this award.
Throughout her career, Pomerenk has demonstrated that making meaningful connections and contributions represents the true heart of our profession. Join us as we celebrate these contributions in this special interview, where Pomerenk reflects on career influences, the joys of welcome and hospitality, and much more.
What/Who influenced your decision to get involved with AACRAO?
My parents were involved in organizations that were important to them, so they influenced me first through their example. Starting almost 40 years ago in our profession and across the three institutions of my career, my leaders and colleagues were involved with local, state, and regional associations and AACRAO.
Brad Myers and Dannette Sullivan (both now retired) motivated me to get involved with AACRAO. Brad, when he was part of the Nominations and Elections Committee process, wrote, “Keep doing what you’re doing,” in the margin of the formal letter, letting me know that I had not been selected to be on the slate for elections. Dannette, as the co-chair for the Local Arrangements Committee for Seattle AACRAO 2001, asked me to help lead the publicity for that conference. She said, “Stick with me,” and I did through big fun with the publicity booth in New Orleans the year before and with the hospitality booth in Seattle.
What do you enjoy most about your work and/or involvement with AACRAO?
Community is my biggest joy from my work with AACRAO. So many people have become my dear friends and wise advisors; I would never have met them without AACRAO. My involvement with AACRAO allowed me the opportunity to collaborate with our AACRAO staff colleagues. They do awesome work with and for us. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together in our AACRAO work, yet the beloved community brings me the most delight.
Have you encountered any unexpected or notable experiences along your professional path?
Helping to launch the PACRAO Leadership Development Institute and seeing our colleagues soar into leadership roles propelled, in part, by their shared experiences shines as the highlight of my career. I enjoyed a full-circle experience when Cori Horne and I co-presented a session based on The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker at AACRAO and UMACRAO. Cori and I were first introduced to each other and The Art of Gathering through the LDI when Cori and I were in a mentee/mentor match. Now, Cori has stepped into a mentor role with the LDI.
Who are your role models?
My mother and grandmother were role models who showed me the joys of welcome and hospitality. My father modeled working hard and humbly.
Marc Booker, a partner in the PACRAO LDI work, teaches me to contribute unceasingly to our professional associations.
Kirsten Labrecque, my longtime PACRAO colleague, leads me to be authentically me and to be more and more inclusive.
What do you aspire to accomplish in the future?
In the future, I aspire to encourage others to connect with communities that support them and their work, such as the community of AACRAO.
What advice would you give to help others find their community at AACRAO?
To find your community at AACRAO, trust that there is a place for you in AACRAO.
Take a first step.
Join one or more communities in AACRAO Exchange.
Attend a webinar.
Join a PAC and/or a caucus.
Talk with the person next to you in the registration line.
Introduce yourself to someone sitting alone.
Go to Experience AACRAO if you are attending the annual meeting.