Professional Development Calendar

We can never say it enough. Thank you for your continual support and engagement within Chesapeake and Potomac Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (CAPACRAO). We hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

Best Wishes,

Your CAPACRAO Executive Team

Name: Samantha Howard
Institution and Role: Prince George's Community College, Coordinator, Recruitment & Community Relations

What is your favorite quote, motto, or mantra? "Nothing beats a failure but a try." -R.J. Smith

Your top three favorite books?

Professional Development Calendar

October is Careers In Student Affairs Month. Click here to learn more. 

Looking for career development opportunities? Consider joining our executive board!

Positions Available: Vice President of Membership & Technology

Enrollment Roundtable 

In the midst of COVID-19 protocols, mandatory or recommended vaccinations requirements, ambitious enrollment goals, and returning to campus (hybrid or in-person) - find out what really happened once the dust settled after the ADD/DROP period. Come hear insights from representatives at some local colleges as well as share what happened at your institution. 

Did you miss the June Legislative Report? Click here to view

Picture retrieved from RGX 

Congratulations! 2020 was definitely a worldwind experience and unexpected in so many ways. However, what a way to truly pivot an association that was planning an in-person meeting at Towson University for June 2020. We took some time on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 1:00 PM to share our reflection as an association with our members. Thank you to all of the attendees who registered and joined us to not just learn of the business side of CAPACRAO but reflect on the dynamic work that we've done over the past year.

What an amazing year for CAPACRAO and our members. Kudos to the dynamic team of volunteers - who serve on the executive board, committees, those who contribute as guest speakers, writers and various contributers. This year is dedicated to you. Because while we were balancing the work of our evolving roles during the pandemic, we still connected, contributed and cared about our personal and professional development. Most importantly, we did it together. From the Chat & Chews in March and April, to the Summer Leadership Series that replaced our Summer Meeting, to the monthly virtual Happy Hours, to our CAPACRAO Supports Local Initiative, around to the modification of our newsletter, increased engagement within our social media plaforms, our Member Spotlight Series, the launching of our Special Interest Group for Dual Enrollment, and continous webinars, we truly did not miss a beat. For our collective efforts, we were recognized by AACRAO at the 2021 Annual Conference.

President's Welcome

Hello Members, Sponsors and Colleagues:

On June 30, 2021, many of our distinguished Executive Board members’ term came to an end, and a new Executive Board transitioned in. I am honored to be your incoming President and I want to acknowledge the leadership provided by Sheena Luaehu-Lyons as President, Seth Kamen as Past-President, last year's board and standing committee members. Many thanks for the work that they have done to cultivate the Association. I also want to thank our Sponsors because our achievement would not have been possible without their continued support and dedication to excellence.

I am excited to welcome my colleagues, some new but many who are returning members, into their new roles. I am humble and grateful for this opportunity serve as your President but I have to be honest, we need our members in a mighty way this year. My favorite quote is actually an African Proverb and it is "many hands make for light work." As President, I would greatly appreciate you, our members, joining us this year in whatever capacity enhances your strengths, provides you value and allows you to share your talents. Some ideas, but in one way do we want to limit you, are:

We are meeting soon. Click here to register.

Member & Institutional Spotlight

CAPACRAO loves it's members and we are an association that thrives on member engagement and member involvement. While we do not know when we will physically connect again for a CAPACRAO event, we still have a wonderful medium to facilitate our knowledge sharing. Our member spotlights are new features within the last year that provide a venue to celebrate ourselves and the work we do within our personal and professional lives. We are seeking colleagues who are interested in being featured in our member or institutional spotlight.

Interested? Please complete our brief survey. We look forward to spotlighting you soon.

Vaccination rates are increasing and the capacity restrictions are decreasing. So, we've combined our May and June CAPACRAO Shops Local to highlight Maryland and DC Attractions & Hidden Gems. Share your favorite places to be entered into our Quarter 2 Raffle via this link Google Form. Submissions will be accepted through June 30. Submit by 12 noon. The winner will be announced at our Annual Business Meeting. 

Picture retrieved from Baltimore Sun article "Maryland Colleges Planning For Return To Campus"

Preparing Yourself for The Return

According to an article by U.S. News, in April 2020, 70 percent of U.S. employees were working from home.1 Fast forward thirteen months later and many of us (56%) are still answering emails from our homes.1 But for higher education professionals in the Maryland and DC area that will all be changing soon as many colleges and universities prepare to return to campus this fall.2 Undoubtedly, faculty and staff emotions run the gamut regarding the return. So, I have compiled a list of tips that will make your transition back to the office a bit smoother. Whether you are joyful or apprehensive there is something here for you.

Members register using this link.

Professional Development Calendar

Survey Feedback Requested
Complete our brief four-question survey to understand CAPACRAO member needs.
Please take 5 minutes or less to complete the survey with your professional development thoughts. The survey will close on Thursday, May 13, 2021.

In November 2020, a news article by the Baltimore Sun announced Morgan State University was planning for an in-person Spring 2021 Commencement. I'm sure we were all a bit skeptical considering the wave of the pandemic was still high. Nonetheless, let's fast forward to April 14, 2021. Did you read what we did? The University of Maryland College Park has solidifed their plans and in-person isn't something they are thinking about but it's official. Learn about the details here. Will more CAPACRAO be hosting in-person commencement activities for the Spring? 

Join CAPACRAO for a Spring Commencement Chat and Chew on Friday, April 23, 2021 at 3 pm to share some updates in our open forum. There is no agenda, just a space for any institution, department or colleague to dialogue about spring commencement. Feel free to share this link with your institutional colleagues so they can RSVP.

CAPACRAO membership isn't required but you do need to register for an account (if you don't have one) and RSVP for access to the Zoom link.

Give ideas.
Get ideas.
RSVP here.

Is your institution planning to host an in-person or virtual commencement for Spring? Dialouge with your thoughts below to start an online conversation. Need help? Email [email protected] for assistance.

Name: Nanci Beier
Role: Registrar
Institution: Anne Arundel Community College

What do you do at Anne Arundel Community College?

Name: Cassandra Moore
Title: Director of Enrollment Development and Admissions
Institution: Anne Arundel Community College

What do you do at Anne Arundel Community College?