| Pacific Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers |
|
|
Pause and enjoy the flowers |
Dear ,
For many of us, things slow down (some) in the summer and we’re able to stop, breathe a little bit, and enjoy the vibrancy around us. I’ve personally been enjoying seeing all of the amazing sessions and arrangements blooming for PACRAO 2025 in Spokane! (I did promise in the Winter newsletter to make garden and flower-based references all year, and Tina Miller is a woman of her word).
Your PACRAO Board, and the Local Arrangements, Program, and Diversity Development Committees have all been busy bees (ding!) this summer -- holding the Summer Board Meeting, gathering exciting speakers and sessions for the conference, figuring out things like catering and AV – all while making sure PACRAO continues to offer helpful webinars, job postings, and all the things that make PACRAO great.
I know that many of our institutions are facing financial issues and being careful with funds at the moment. However, conferences such as PACRAO are one of the best (and really -- one of the few) ways that those in our professions can stay on top of what is happening, what may be coming, and what we can do to adapt, innovate, and help our students and institutions thrive. To that end, we’re highlighting some sessions and speakers in this newsletter that may help show your institution the benefits of attending, as well as extending the deadline for the PACRAO Conference Grant (apply today!).
Tina Miller PACRAO President
Senior Associate Registrar / University of Washington |
|
|
And if that’s not enough, here is another Spokane Fun Fact! Spokane Fun Fact 3:
Spokane has the historic Looff Carrousel (that’s how they spell it) in the Waterfront Park by the Davenport Grand Hotel. Rumor has is that PACRAO is going to take over the carrousel during one of the conference breaks so members can horse around en masse! Sorry not sorry for the dad joke. |
|
|
Blooming Integrity: Cultivating a Fraud-Resistant Admissions Process |
|
Compliance Issues Besides FERPA That I Need to Know?
|
| Artificial Intelligence (AI) Roundtable |
|
From Seed to Service: Growing a Student Workforce That Delivers |
| Table Talk: Classroom and Academic Scheduling Roundtable |
| AACRAO Federal Relations Update |
|
|
Gala theme is...Peace, Love, and PACRAO
Don't miss the grooviest event of the year! Join us for the PACRAO Gala, Peace, Love, and PACRAO, inspired by the free-spirited 1960s. After a full day of sessions, let's come together to bloom into the evening with good vibes, great food, and even better company. Dust off your bell bottoms, tie-dye shirts, and fringe vests and get ready to boogie the night away! It's going to be a far-out time you won't want to miss. |
|
|
Pre-Conference Workshops Available through Conference Registration
|
|
|
Mentoring 101: How to get one, how to be one, and why it matters! - In this workshop we will:
Hear Helen’s Top Ten Leadership Lessons: “Mentors and Messes” story -
Receive tips on how to find a mentor and/or to become a mentor
- Help you to develop a self-branding strategy to advance your career and continue to find meaningful and enriching work
- Play a round of Speed Mentoring
Presenter Dr. Helen B. Garrett, University of Washington |
|
Bloom with CARE: Curiosity, Authenticity, Resilience, and Empathy
Can we bloom in November? Even amid challenges? Absolutely. Join Kristen and Julia for a dynamic and interactive session exploring how we can thrive in any season—personally and professionally—by embracing curiosity, authenticity, resilience, and empathy.
Key takeaways: Tangible practices to help participants “bloom” and enrich their professional and personal lives. Presenters Kristen Labrecque, University of Washington Bothell
Julia Pomerenk, University of Oregon |
|
|
| Michael Pastore 2025 Local Arrangements Chair University of Puget Sound LAC@pacrao.org |
|
|
Diversity Development Committee Updates |
|
|
Join the DDC for the second virtual book club. We will be reading Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. Homegoing follows the parallel paths of these sisters and their descendants through eight generations: from the Gold Coast to the plantations of Mississippi, from the American Civil War to Jazz Age Harlem.
September 10, 2025 at 12pm PST Registration |
| |
|
|
| Featured Luncheon Speaker
Esteban Herevia, he/they, served as the Strategist for Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine; President and CEO of Spokane Pride, the largest LGBTQIA2s+ organization in the Inland Northwest; Communications Chair for InterPride - the global association of Pride organizations and licensor of World Pride; and Vice President of the United States Association of Pride Organizations. As a community leader and strategic thinker, Esteban champions inclusive models of leadership envisioning a future where each of us belong. Esteban was recognized as a 2023 Top 20 under 40 Influencer in the Inland Pacific Northwest, designated as a Washington State University Excellence in Equity awardee, and 2025 TEDx Speaker.
|
|
|
Partners Inland Northwest (INW) has been serving their community for over 75 years as Spokane County’s largest free food, clothing, and diaper bank. Every month, they help more than 15,000 neighbors in crisis—ensuring families don’t go without essentials like food, diapers, or warm clothing. In addition to a monetary donation drive, PACRAO will be hosting a donation drive for the following most needed items: Canned Fruit, Pasta, Canned Tuna, Baby Formula, Men's Clothes, Baby Clothes. More details to come! |
| |
|
| 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! |
|
|
Professional Development Updates |
|
|
| Upcoming Webinar: September 9, 2025 at 12pm PST |
|---|
Best of PACRAO: From Challenges to Success: Best Practices Supporting Military-Connected Students Led by Andrea Siegrist-Baez and Karen Khu
Register Now! |
|
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! |
Don’t miss out on the PACRAO webinars! You can find recordings on the PACRAO website under the Professional Development section, labeled “Webinars.” Please note that you will need to log in to access the recordings. What topics have you missed? This summer, in June and July, we hosted sessions on Tracking Key Metrics and Fraud Mitigation. Coming up this month, we bring you two amazing sessions: Best of PACRAO: From Challenges to Success: Best Practices Supporting Military-Connected Students September 9, 2025 at 12 pm PST
Registration
Whether in Veteran Services or any department, this interactive session aims to share best practices in supporting military-connected students using VA education benefits. Learn strategies, processes, and challenges faced at our institutions. You can expect to leave this session with valuable lessons to effectively support military-connected students and their education. The DDC Virtual Book Club reading “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi September 10, 2025 at 12pm PST Registration |
|
|
| 2025 PACRAO Conference Grant Deadline Extended! |
| |
|
We understand that many institutions face budget constraints, which is why PACRAO offers a Conference Grant to help cover registration costs. This grant is perfect for: - Those whose institutions are tightening travel budgets
- First-time attendees eager to explore new perspectives
-
Incoming LDI cohort members looking to expand their leadership skills
- Presenters wishing to share their expertise and gain valuable feedback
New Deadline Alert!
We’ve hit the pause button and extended the grant deadline to September 15th, 2025. This extension aligns with other PACRAO deadlines to ensure you have ample time to apply. Applying is straightforward: -
Complete the Grant Application Form: Provide details about your professional background and explain how attending the conference will benefit you.
- Institutional Support: Indicate how your institution will support your attendance by covering travel and hotel expenses if you're selected.
Application Link: Apply Here |
|
|
Conference Grant Deadline: Monday, September 15, 2025 |
| Notification Date: Friday, September 19, 2025 |
|
|
Congratulations to the 2025 Nominations & Elections Committee! |
Thank you to all of our membership who voted for this year’s N&E we had the most votes received in several years! Congratulations to our new N&E: - Peyton Coronas | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Vice-Chair Elect
- Chantel Black | Spokane Community College
- Bracken Dailey | University of California Riverside
- Maxwell Kwenda | Gonzaga University
- Maggie Ramirez | The University of Arizona
- Ronald Venegas | La Sierra University
Alternates: - Jill Rodgers-Lash | University of the Pacific
- Liz Johnson | University of Utah
- Cynthia Rojas-Soloroio | UCLA
- Mayra Segura | Roseman University of Health Sciences
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!)
Alex Underwood Past-President | N&E Chair The University of Arizona Gaby Asamsama-Acuna N&E Vice Chair Ventura College
Find out more about the Nominations and Elections Committee |
|
|
Alex Underwood Past-President | N&E Chair The University of Arizona |
| Gaby Asamsama-Acuna N&E Vice Chair Ventura College |
|
|
Stay Conference-Ready: Renew Your PACRAO Membership Today! |
|
|
Discounted conference registration is available exclusively to active PACRAO members. Please make sure your 2025–2026 dues are paid before registering.
Not sure about your membership status? Contact the VP of Membership at vp-membership@pacrao.org 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. |
|
|
Yours truly, your PACRAO Archivist, is on the road this summer, and along the way, I met up with Heather Chermak, your 2015 PACRAO President. Her annual meeting was in Anaheim at the Disneyland Hotel. Heather served as Associate Registrar at Oregon State University from Sep 1998 to Dec 2007, then was the University Registrar at the University of Idaho from Jan 2008 to Jul 2018. In 2018, she moved to Wisconsin to help out her aging parents and has served as the University Registrar at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater since then. Bruce and I met up with her this summer (on the first day of their fall classes!!! Bad timing!) and we had a chance to catch up with her.
|
| |
|
Heather is now a member of Wisconsin AACRAO – WACRAO (lovingly referred to as Wacky WACRAO). WACRAO is one of the few AACRAO State and Regional organizations that is not also a part of a regional organization. It was interesting talking to Heather about how different WACRAO and PACRAO are.
Both organizations were formed in the 1920’s but PACRAO is a few years older. WACRAO has a somewhat smaller Executive Board, with a President, President-Elect, Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Member Services Coordinator, Vendor Chair, and Technology and Communications Manager. PACRAO basically has all those positions, but all are Vice Presidents. PACRAO also has a VP for Professional Development, and a VP for Diversity Development.
The timing of our annual meetings is very similar – late October or early November. However, PACRAO’s annual meeting runs Sunday morning through Wednesday noon; WACRAO’s meeting runs Wednesday morning to Friday noon. Both meetings are organized by a planning committee, but different universities in the Wisconsin system serve as “hosts” for the WACRAO meetings when they are held in their area. |
|
|
|
This year’s WACRAO conference will be held in Green Bay at the Tundra Lodge; the theme for the event is “Game On!” WACRAO is required to book their conference properties to conform with the allowable state rate for hotels, so at $98 max per night, their options for venues are limited.
Like PACRAO, WACRAO has exhibitors at their conference – usually about 12-15, much fewer than PACRAO. Like us, they do have a New Member (first time attendee) session, an AACRAO Update, a legislative update, a FERPA workshop, an annual business meeting, and of course breakout sessions presented by both members and exhibitors. |
|
|
Of course, no AACRAO annual meeting would be complete without some evening entertainment! This year, WACRAO is hosting a “Game Night” on Wednesday night to coincide with their conference theme, “Game On!” WACRAO will supply cribbage boards and other board games (apparently cribbage is big in Wisconsin!). Then, after their social hour and banquet on Thursday night, they are having DJ Cosmic Bingo, which seems to be a mashup of bingo, DJ’d music and perhaps some comedy. I am not sure if dancing is involved, but if it were PACRAO, of course, there would be dancing!
An unusual arrangement that WACRAO has is that every third year, they join up with UmACRAO (Upper Midwest AACRAO, comprised of Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota) for a joint conference. This has been going on at least since the 1980’s (because it happened when I was working at Iowa State University from 1984-2001). This collaboration has been a fruitful partnership between the two organizations and continues to be so.
All in all, it is clear that our two associations have very different annual meetings. WACRAO has far fewer sessions but has some that are specifically focused on Wisconsin issues (legislative issues, common course numbering mandates, and common gen ed requirements that have recently been mandated by the legislature). The WACRAO meeting is much shorter than PACRAO’s, and thus less costly to its members. Most attendees are able to drive to the annual meeting, further saving costs. The attendance hovers around 100, making it much easier to meet and get to know everyone there. Both associations have their positives, and both continue to support the important work of registrars and admissions officers!
I realize this article is not historical in nature, but I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit about WACRAO, one of our sister organizations!
If you have any PACRAO notebooks or records of any kind, please be in touch with me. I am always looking for additional archival material for PACRAO! |
|
|
Sue Eveland
PACRAO Archivist
Please contact me at seveland@uoregon.edu if you have any PACRAO materials! |
| |
|
Find your next opportunity and the best talent in the region! |
| |
|
2024 - 2025 PACRAO Executive Board |
|
|
Tina Miller
President The University of Washington |
|
Erin Collins President Elect Claremont McKenna College |
|
Alex Underwood Past President
The University of Arizona |
|
|
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 |
|
|
Omar Saucedo Secretary University of California - San Francisco |
| Josh Reinhold Treasurer University of California - Merced |
|
Chelsea Peoples Business Partner Liaison University of Nevada Las Vegas |
| |
|
|
