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State and Regional Organizations

AACRAO and the state and regional associations (ACRAOs) share the same basic goals of enhancing not only the profession but also the professional development of the individual members. One of the fundamental strengths of our profession is the vitality of strong, active state and regional associations. These associations provide members with many professional development activities and opportunities and generally are instrumental in forging the informal networks that exist throughout the country.

AACRAO's Vice President of Leadership and Management Development and AACRAO's State and Regional Relations Committee formulate and share responsibility for AACRAO's relationship with state and regional associations.

 

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Resources

  • State and Regional Fundamentals (On-Demand Course)

    This course provides a core understanding of the functions of a state and regional Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (ACRAO). An overview of how individual state and regional associations of all sizes can apply best practices in managing an association, running meetings, and providing professional development activities for their members that are based on successful state and regional ACRAOs.

    Learn More

  • State & Regional "How to" Guide

    Containing best practices, examples, and suggestions that affiliated State & Regional Organizations of all sizes may reference as they develop and/or improve their organization

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  • How to Get Involved with AACRAO

    Learn how you can get involved with your AACRAO membership. Included in the resources below are our community engagement touchpoints which include volunteer opportunities, publication authorship, discussion forums, and much more. Review the resources below and choose your path at AACRAO.

    Get Involved DirectoryGet Involved One-Pager
  • State & Regional Partnership and Affiliate Program

    Additional information regarding the AACRAO State & Regional Partnership and Affiliate Program.

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  • AACRAO Leadership Meeting

    The Leadership Meeting is designed for AACRAO leaders shaping the future of AACRAO and higher education; attendees include State or Regional Association Officers, PAC leaders, Work Group Chairs, Caucus Chairs, Committee Chairs, Conference Directors, and Program Committee Coordinators. As a hub for collaboration and growth essential for S&R Officers, this exclusive gathering fosters strategic discussions and networking opportunities. Registration opens after the Annual Meeting. AACRAO provides meals but travel and accommodations are the responsibility of S&R leaders.

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  • Ockerman Awards

    The Elbert W. Ockerman State and Regional Professional Activity Award recognizes outstanding professional activities of the state/regional associations and encourages development and expansion of quality professional activities among state/regional associations. Up to three awards of $500 each will be presented. Nominees must prepare a one page written summary of their activities for consideration. The recipient(s) are recommended by the AACRAO Awards Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.

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  • State & Regional ACRAOs Leadership Exchange Community

    Join the State and Regional ACRAOs Leadership community in the AACRAO Exchange. The AACRAO Exchange is a purpose-built platform designed to connect higher education professionals together to advance the pursuit of excellence in higher education. Once you join the Exchange community, you can share information about questions and issues of interest to those in leadership positions in the state and regional associations. It is open to any officers of state and regional associations, the AACRAO Board of Directors, AACRAO National Office staff, and AACRAO committees whose activities relate to those of the state and regional associations. This group is a beneficial service to the state and regional associations and to AACRAO.

    Join Now
  • State and Regional Treasurers Peer Network

    The State and Regional Treasurers Peer Network is a networking and affinity group for state and regional (S&R) treasurers, treasurers-elect, and immediate past treasurers.  This group provides a community of like minded professionals to share best practices and insights, as well as to provide support and encouragement to one another serving in an S&R treasury role. This group may also identify and propose ways that AACRAO can support and collaborate with the state and regional associations.

    This group is open to professionals serving in the treasurer, treasurer-elect, or immediate past-treasurer positions within their respective state and regional associations, as well as individuals who have served in one of these capacities within the last two years.  Professionals serving in other leadership positions within S&R associations may also join this group. 

    Join this Network

  • Join The S&R Coordinating Committee

    The State & Regional Coordinating Committee falls under Group 4: Leadership and Management Development. All AACRAO members are eligible to join a committee.

    Get Involved

  • State & Regional Facebook Group

    Join this online community to stay connected to the ACRAO network

    Join the Group

View more resources

Upcoming State & Regional Deadlines

Upcoming State & Regional Events

How to Advocate as a State and Regional Association

November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024 | 2:00-3:00 pm ET

Join AACRAO’s Government Relations team from 2pm - 3pm ET on November 13, 2024 for a webinar focusing on higher education policy issues and how State and Regional associations can become engaged in these issues. The webinar will focus on the following topics:

  • Overview of current issues impacting higher education
  • How S&R AACRAO associations, as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, can engage in advocacy work while still complying with the IRS tax code.
  • Identifying and empowering individuals at S&R associations to become government relations points of contact.
AACRAO’s Government Relations team hopes that attendees will come away from the session with a clear understanding of how they can get involved in advocacy work at both the federal and state levels.

Additional Resources:

View Recording

    Moderators:

    Headshot of Johnika Dreher.

    Johnika Nixon

    Doctoral Student, Morgan State University

    Katie (Brown) Rendon

    AVP Student Success & University Registrar, Aspen University

    Presenters:

    Headshot of William Gil.

    William Gil

    Senior Director, Government Relations

    Michael Bilfinger headshot

    Michael Bilfinger

    Assistant Director, Public Policy

    Past State & Regional Events

    How to Advocate as a State and Regional Association

    November 13, 2024

    November 13, 2024 | 2:00-3:00 pm ET

    Join AACRAO’s Government Relations team from 2pm - 3pm ET on November 13, 2024 for a webinar focusing on higher education policy issues and how State and Regional associations can become engaged in these issues. The webinar will focus on the following topics:

    • Overview of current issues impacting higher education
    • How S&R AACRAO associations, as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, can engage in advocacy work while still complying with the IRS tax code.
    • Identifying and empowering individuals at S&R associations to become government relations points of contact.
    AACRAO’s Government Relations team hopes that attendees will come away from the session with a clear understanding of how they can get involved in advocacy work at both the federal and state levels.

    Additional Resources:

    View Recording

      Moderators:

      Headshot of Johnika Dreher.

      Johnika Nixon

      Doctoral Student, Morgan State University

      Katie (Brown) Rendon

      AVP Student Success & University Registrar, Aspen University

      Presenters:

      Headshot of William Gil.

      William Gil

      Senior Director, Government Relations

      Michael Bilfinger headshot

      Michael Bilfinger

      Assistant Director, Public Policy

      Meet the members

      • Chris Huang AAPI Bio
      • Philip Hunt Black Bio (1)
      • Laura Remillard Women Bio
      • Badge for Amber Cellotti
      • Committee Badge for Johnika Dreher
      • Committee Badge for Texas Ruegg
      • Committee Badge for Kristin Smigielski
      • Committee Badge for Molly McDermott Fallon
      • Katie Brown - Committee Badge

      Have a Question?

      Quick Links
      • Cyber Security Training
        • AACRAO is piloting a program to offer cyber security training to State and Regional Organizations. For more information, submit the form here and an AACRAO staff member will follow up shortly. 
      • Highlight Your State and Regional Badge
        • Have your S&R member badge featured on the State and Regional page. Submit the form here to be featured.
      • Request an AACRAO Rep
        • Members of the AACRAO Board of Directors and the executive staff participate in the annual meetings of the state and regional associations. This often includes a 10-15 minute AACRAO update, a session presentation, a roundtable on AACRAO issues, staffing an AACRAO booth, and attendance at new member orientation.
      • AACRAO's Best of the Best
        • Nominate outstanding sessions from your state and regional's most recent Annual Meeting. One presenter will receive a free registration to AACRAO's Annual Meeting to present the outstanding session.
      • Elbert W. Ockerman State and Regional Professional Activity Award
        • This award recognizes outstanding professional activities of the state/regional associations and encourages the development and expansion of quality professional activities among state/regional associations.

      Leadership

      AACRAO VP for Leadership Management and Development

      Tiffani Robertson
      Associate Director, Enrollment Management at Governors State University

      Chair, AACRAO S&R Relations Committee

      Headshot of Johnika Dreher.

      Johnika Nixon
      Doctoral Student, Morgan State University

      Vice-Chair, AACRAO S&R Relations Committee

      Portrait of Katie Brown

      Katie (Brown) Rendon
      Assistant Vice President, Student Success & University Registrar, Apsen University

      Past Chair, AACRAO S&R Relations Committee

      Photograph of Amber Cellotti

      Amber Cellotti
      Interim Director & Deputy Registrar, University of Minnesota Twin Cities



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