| "SPRING" 2025
PACRAO NEWS |
Pacific Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers |
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| - PACRAO 2025 Registration open!
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DDC Updates
Professional Development Updates - Nominations & Elections -- vote now!
- PACRAO @ AACRAO recap
Spring cleaning -- how to update your membership roster
From the Archives -- 1948 PCACRAO Summer Workshops
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Dear ,
Living in Seattle, it seems like Spring takes forever to come. And this year, the same could be said about the PACRAO Spring 2025 Newsletter! But never fear...it's here now, full of updates and information about PACRAO events and opportunities for you.
Since the last newsletter, it seems like higher education has taken one blow after another. Budgets are uncertain, and many of us are having to react quickly to all kinds of challenges and changes. It's been...a lot.
Times like these emphasize to me how important organizations like PACRAO are. We have to tend to ourselves, personally and professionally, to persevere.
Whether it's finding a more streamlined way to do our work at a webinar or conference session, getting together to brainstorm solutions to challenges, or even blowing off steam by texting a PACRAO colleague to vent (and share a laugh) about the "interesting" plan our institution has come up with to save money, PACRAO provides a place for us to share, learn, and grow. I'm grateful for that. And I'm grateful for you, because you -- we -- are PACRAO.
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| Tina Miller PACRAO President
Senior Associate Registrar / University of Washington And wait...here's another Spokane Fun Fact! |
Spokane Fun Fact 2:
Spokane has a SkyRide over the falls in Riverfront Park (right by the conference center and hotel)! Enjoy the sights while dangling mid-air in a little capsule thingy! (Rumor has it that a ZIPLINE will open in downtown Spokane this summer if you prefer to do your scenic dangling in the open air.) |
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Are you getting ready to BLOOM?! Register now! |
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Registration for PACRAO 2025 is open! The PACRAO 2025 Annual Conference site has registration links, hotel information, tip about getting to Spokane, Washington (and things to do once you get there!), and an updated Conference Justification Letter you can share with your leadership to help them understand how your attending this conference will benefit your office and your institution.
The Program Committee is still accepting session proposals, so if you are ready to let your work bloom and share it with the PACRAO Community, visit the session proposal page now -- don't keep those seeds of knowledge to yourself! The Committee is also hoping you'll share some ideas of topics you'd like to see available as roundtable sessions at the conference -- email programchair@pacrao.org with any ideas. |
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Michael Pastore 2025 Local Arrangements Chair University of Puget Sound LAC@pacrao.org |
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Diversity Development Committee Updates |
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This spring the Diversity Development Committee hosted its first virtual DDC Book Club! The selected book was Chicano Frankenstein by Daniel Olivas.
In a near-future America where a resurrected paralegal navigates a society divided by his existence, he falls for lawyer Faustina Godínez. While the president fuels anti-reanimation sentiment and corporations profit, he delves into his forgotten past with the help of Faustina's connections. This genre-bending narrative, Chicano Frankenstein, blends science fiction, horror, political satire, and romance to explore prejudice and the essence of humanity. Participants shared their perspectives and takeaways from the book during meaningful discussion.
The author, Daniel Olivas, reached out as he was very excited that we are reading his book for our book club! He shared a link to this interview he did with NPR:
https://www.npr.org/2024/05/08/1197956379/in-chicano-frankenstein-the-undead-are-the-new-underpaid-labor-force
If you weren’t able to join that session, it’s okay! We’re planning to host another virtual session on August 21, but we need your help! Please take a moment to vote for your top two selections (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYPRIb8eLUmOSy4hWhYVcap3VeCXhdp7y9YpY3Wx-CsbExfQ/viewform?usp=header ) by July 1, 2025.
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| Share your story at PACRAO 2025
Now that the conference registration is open and you all are thinking about sessions that you might want to present, the Diversity Development Committee would like to encourage you to consider sharing your stories of how your institution has navigated the last year: protests, changes in DEI focus, international students, undocumented students, student affinity groups, etc. |
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JOIN THE DIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE |
Are you interested in helping to make PACRAO more equitable? Are you passionate about issues and activities relevant to equity, diversity and inclusion?
Email VP-DD@pacrao.org to get involved! |
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Professional Development Updates |
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| Upcoming Webinar: July 17, 2025 12PM PST |
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Fraud Mitigation Roundtable
Led by Elvia Bow and Keesha Rucker, Pima Community College
REGISTRATION |
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Want to be a shining star as a presenter for an upcoming webinar? Or have a burning topic you’d love to hear about? Shoot an email to vp-pd@pacrao.org! |
| SAVE THE DATE FOR PACRAO WEBINARS! |
Welcome to the grand kickoff of 2025, where we've been dazzled by Best of PACRAO sessions and a riveting Town Hall on navigating changes to Federal Policies and Student Privacy. Here's what we've unraveled: Discover the dangers of burnout and why "always-on" and "workaholism" are creativity's worst enemies. Especially now, when remote work has turned home into a never-ending office, it's crucial to spark organizational change and preserve our productivity and sanity.
Meanwhile, history is made as five—yes, five!—generations share the workplace. How do these generational quirks shake up our management mojo? Learn to dodge drama, keep your star players, and boost efficiency by understanding what lights each generation's fire and crafting strategies to foster connection. And let's not forget the impact of storytelling! It’s the essential ingredient for forging connections, influencing our careers, and unlocking new opportunities. By mastering the art of storytelling, you’ll steer your career with intention and purpose!
Did you miss these sessions? Or maybe you attended, had a blast, and want to spread the joy to a coworker? No worries! They're all tucked away on the PACRAO website under Professional Development: Webinars. Check it out here: https://www.pacrao.org/webinars.php And don't change that channel! More thrilling webinars with sizzling topics are on the way. |
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| 2025 PACRAO Conference Grant! |
Calling all higher education professionals! Join the 2025 PACRAO Conference in Spokane, Washington, from November 9-12. This event offers an invaluable opportunity to enhance your career. |
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Why Apply for the 2025 PACRAO Conference Grant? Are you ready to take your professional development to the next level? Then don't miss your chance to apply for the 2025 PACRAO Conference Grant! Make the Most of Limited Institutional Funding
With many institutions tightening travel budgets, the PACRAO Conference Grant offers a perfect solution. Secure this grant to cover the cost of the registration fee. First-Time Attendee Perks
As a first-time attendee, you’ll gain fresh insights and perspectives. Immerse yourself in the vibrant community, and take advantage of the unique learning experiences that PACRAO offers. Hone Your Presentation Skills
Thinking of presenting a session? Gain invaluable experience and feedback from peers and experts. Presenting at PACRAO is a great way to showcase your expertise and contribute to the field. |
| Important Details Application Deadline: Submit your grant application by Friday, August 29th, 2025.
Notification Date: You’ll receive an email notification regarding your selection status by September 8th, 2025. How to Apply
Applying is simple! Complete the grant application form, detailing your professional background and explaining how attending the conference will benefit you. Remember the grant will cover your conference registration, you’ll be asked how your institution will support your attendance by covering travel and hotel expenses if you're selected. |
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It's Time to Vote for the 2025 Nominations & Elections Committee! |
You received an email on May 23, 2025 with a link to your ballot but can also vote here. All PACRAO members are encouraged to vote to select the N&E Committee who are your representatives that choose the Executive Board and other leadership roles. The Nominees for the 2025 Committee are: - Chantell Black | Spokane Community College
- Peyton Coronas | University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Tori Crumrine | Oregon State University
- Bracken Dailey | University of California Riverside
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Liz Johnson | University of Utah
- Maxwell Kwenda | Gonzaga University
- Regina Miller | Riverside City College
- Cynthia Rojas-Soloroio | UCLA
- Jaclyn Pryor | The University of Arizona
- Maggie Ramirez | The University of Arizona
- Jill Rodgers-Lash | University of the Pacific
- Mayra Segura Roseman | University of Health Sciences
- Ronald Venegas | La Sierra University
Review the candidate’s statements of interest and cast your vote today! The elected members will select the 2026 slate, which include the positions of: - President-Elect
- Vice President for Membership
- Vice President for Diversity Development
- Secretary
- Business Partner Liaison-Elect (a first for an N&E committee!)
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Alex Underwood Past-President | N&E Chair The University of Arizona |
| Gaby Asamsama-Acuna N&E Vice Chair Ventura College |
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| | PACRAO Reception Report - Erin Collins, President-Elect |
AACRAO is always a great time. But the PACRAO at AACRAO event makes it that much sweeter and this year was no exception. Thank you to Michael Davenport for finding Cottontail, a speakeasy-esque bar with an alley entrance, unique cocktails, and tons of local art. Thank you also to Marc Booker, who generously sponsored the event.
The PACRAOnians that attended AACRAO showed up and showed out. We had a great turnout, a lot of laughs, and a Seattle Police photo bomb. The meet up was full of love and appreciation and was the embodiment of “PACRAO has heart.” Thank you to all of those who attend our event. We look forward to seeing many of you at the 2025 conference in Spokane, WA. | | PACRAO Beyond the Party - Tina Miller, President | PACRAO members were everywhere at AACRAO 2025 -- leading preconference workshops, presenting sessions, volunteering, and showing our PACRAO pride with PACRAO Bloom 2025 stickers on our nametags.
Big congratulations to PACRAO members Chantal Black (Spokane Community College) and Steve Downing (Bellevue College), who served as the 2025 AACRAO Co-Chairs of Volunteers! |
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Spring Cleaning -- Update your rosters! |
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Now that it's membership renewal season, now is a great time to review and update PACRAO membership rosters! As a reminder, PACRAO membership is institution based so paid institutions may have as many members from their institution as they would like. Only the primary active member from each institution may update their membership roster. To update a membership roster, the primary active member should follow the steps below: For any questions related to a membership roster, please contact the VP for Membership. |
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1948 PCACRAO Summer Workshops
In 1944, Congress passed and then President Roosevelt signed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, commonly known as the G.I. Bill of Rights, or simply the G.I. Bill. Two of the most popular parts of the bill were funds for education and financial backing on loans (home loans, mostly). Veterans returned from the war and entered colleges and universities in record numbers. Some institutions reported that their enrollment doubled in Fall 1945 over the prior year. Some registrar’s offices were so understaffed that they could not handle in-person registration and resorted to assigning classes to students. By 1947, veterans accounted for half of all post-secondary enrollment in the US.
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During this period, colleges and universities added new staff to their admissions and registrars offices to address the growing enrollments. In the summer of 1948, PCACRAO (Pacific Coast Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) partnered with the College of the Pacific to offer a Summer Workshop in Admissions, Registration and Records. This was a week-long intensive training program for the larger number of new professionals entering the workforce. This was planned as a one-time workshop, but it was so successful that PCACRAO persuaded the College of the Pacific to repeat the workshops. The workshops were held again twice more, in 1951 and 1955.
A total of 115 professionals attended the three workshops. While about 65% of the participants were from California; the rest came from 17 other states, including the PCACRAO member states plus South Carolina, Iowa, Missouri, Colorado, Alaska (not in PCACRAO at the time), New Mexico, Nebraska, Texas, Louisiana, and Minnesota. |
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The curriculum was based on AACRAO’s “Training Program Recommended for Registrars and Admissions Officers,” and consisted of two tracks: one for “neophytes” and one for “more experienced” staff. There was a class for each track each morning, but these classes were held at different times, so participants could attend both if they so desired. In the afternoon, the participants did group work, discussing various aspects of the profession and combing through resources brought by the “staff.” Many PCACRAO members served as “staff” for the workshop: Florence Brady, Registrar, Occidental College
L.L.Windmiller, Registrar and Director of Admissions, Stockton College
M.J. Brickley, Registrar, Sacramento Junior College
Herman Spindt, Director of Admissions, UC Berkeley
Tom Ordeman, Registrar, Oregon State College
Don Winbigler, Registrar, Stanford University
Howard Shontz, Recorder, UC Davis
Kenneth Rowland, Registrar, Modesto Junior College
Ellen Doering, Registrar, College of the Pacific (who kept the workshops going in subsequent years). |
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Sue Eveland
PACRAO Archivist
Please contact me at seveland@uoregon.edu if you have any PACRAO materials! |
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Find your next opportunity and the best talent in the region! |
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2024 - 2025 PACRAO Executive Board |
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Tina Miller
President The University of Washington |
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Erin Collins President Elect Pomona College |
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Alex Underwood Past President
The University of Arizona |
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Helena Babiski
Vice President, Professional Development Coconino Community College | |
Shelly Hsu Vice President, Membership California State University - Fullerton |
| Michael Davenport Vice President, Communications & Information Technology
The University of Arizona |
| Laura Schonberger Vice President, Diversity Development University of Phoenix |
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Omar Saucedo Secretary University of California - San Francisco |
| Josh Reinhold Treasurer University of California - Merced |
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Chelsea Peoples Business Partner Liaison University of Nevada Las Vegas |
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