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Legislative Update & May 2021 AACRAO Transcript

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.

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CAPACRAO Chat & Chew: Spring Commencement



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.

Member Spotlight: Otu Obot II



Name: Otu A. Obot II
Role: Creating Opportunities for Academic Success and Transfer (COAST) Coordinator 
Institution Name: Prince George's Community College.
What are your three favorite Podcasts/Books?
What are your credentials/experience, for working in your position?
I have over 9 years of non-for-profit experience in various community organizations and ministries in Buffalo, N.Y.  I have been a short-term missionary and lived on the island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for six months.  I have over 6 years of Higher Education experience.  I have worked for Canisius College which is the premier private institution in Western New York for their TRiO Program as an Academic Talent Search Counselor for 2.5 years.  Currently, I have worked at Prince George's Community College for the past 4 years as a COAST Coordinator.  I am placed in two of the 21 high schools in the county where I am the direct liaison between the high school and college regarding Dual Enrollment, Senior Recruitment, and College Outreach.
 
I have earned a Bachelor of Science in Education with a Minor in Business Administration with a concentration in advertising and sales from Baldwin-Wallace University (formerly called Baldwin-Wallace College) in Berea, Ohio.  I have earned my Master of Arts in Higher Education at Morgan State University in May of 2020. 
 
Although I love education and I know that credentials are needed to do the work, I firmly believe that you should have a passion, calling, or desire to be an educator.  You need to see people beyond where they are now and empower them to learn the skills, to get them to their goals in life.  I believe that you must have the attitude and disposition to serve and lead by example.  Lastly, I am in the business of setting people up for success with knowledge and wisdom that I share with them daily.  I must always remember that without the students there is no institution, therefore, customer service, cultural, gender, and race sensitivity, awareness, and the systematic foundation of intersectionality, are vital to have an impact on the students that I serve daily.  
I aspire to move onto Senior leadership as my goal is to be a VPSA, however, I plan to take all my daily lessons I have learned along the journey, so I can always be a servant first and a leader second.  
What are the values that drive you?
  • Empowerment
  • Faith
  • Knowledge
  • Loyalty
  • Servant Leadership
  • Transparency
  • Wisdom
If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
Motivational/Inspirational Speaker.
If you could interview one person (dead or alive) who would it be?
Frederick Douglass
Survey Feedback Requested
Nanci, Otu, and Danielle created a 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, April 22, 2021.
Say hello to Otu. Feel free to comment below.

Member Spotlight: Nanci Beier



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

What do you do at Anne Arundel Community College?



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Member Spotlight: Cassandra Moore



Name: Cassandra Moore

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

What do you do at Anne Arundel Community College?



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April 2021 Professional Development

Professional Development Calendar

Radical Brainstorming Workshop | Virtual | April 2, 2021 | 12:00 PM

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Spring Forward with CAPACRAO

Hello March 2021! Hard to believe what transpired and has continued to unfold started a year ago. Wow! How everything it feels has changed. While the effects of the COVID pandemic are still present, many colleagues are getting vaccinated, businesses and educational facilities are re-opening, and we are all doing continual reflection and trying to balance mental, physical and emotional health. As best we can. I commend you for doing your part in the global, collective efforts to stay safe.

If the pandemic has taught me anything, it is the power in slowing down and enjoying little moments. Little moments can create big memories especially for our overall health and wellbeing. It can expand compassion and spark a thought when we let go of hurried thoughts. I am an early riser and ode I give to my grandmother, may she rest in power, who never believed in wasting a moment of daylight. During the pandemic, I've gained an affinity for walking. It was the only thing I was willing to do at one point. My best walking record was in July when I walked almost 97 miles. I digressed. My apologies. Anyhoo, I love watching the sun rise in the spring during my early morning walks. I enjoy watching the sun change the landscape from darkness as it peaks over the trees to light the earth with golden tones. Around me I can feel the briskness of the cool, morning air. I breathe. I take in my ability to walk, and the iphone which plays the audiobook I am listening too (currently, 400 Souls). I've immersed myself in so many good books on my walks. On a recent trek, I stopped listening to my audiobook for a moment to gain a new moment. A new perspective. The sounds of birds chirping overpowered my audiobook volume. The birds reminded me that they, and nature, wanted and craved some of my attention. In that moment, I expanded my appreciation for walking and nature. 

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Member Spotlight: Carol Harrison



Name: Carol Harrison

Title: Interim Dean of Enrollment Services/Registrar
Institution: College of Southern Maryland

What are your credentials/experience, for working in your position? I have spent the last 32 years working in higher education. My experience includes Financial Aid, Admissions, and Registrar functions.  I believe the key credentials needed to work in this role are strong technical skills, critical thinking to solve problems and implementing these types of solutions that bridge Records, Admissions and Academic Affairs.




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2021 Call for Board Nominations



CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
2021 Executive Board

Serving as a member of the CAPACRAO Board helps develop leadership skills, provides an opportunity to get involved in local, regional and national issues, and is a great opportunity to push the organization to the next level. Please consider either a self-nomination or identifying a current member who is ready to take the next step in CAPACRAO leadership. We're looking for dedicated individuals who can bring a new perspective and voice for our members.


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CAPACRAO Spring Workshop: Resume Building



Have you registered for the CAPACRAO Spring Workshop: Resume Building? Dust off your resume and join us.
RSVP via: https://www.capacrao.org/events

CAPACRAO Spring Workshop: FERPA

Have you registered for our April Workshop?

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2021 Award Nominations

CAPACRAO invites you to SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS for our annual awards: Emerging Leader and Steven A. Smith.  These awards will be presented during CAPACRAO's Annual Business Meeting in mid-June. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, May 14, 2021.  

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March 2021 Professional Development Events

Professional Development Calendar

ACPA 2021 Conference | Virtual | March 1-17, 2021 

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Spring 2021 Greetings from CAPACRAO President


My name is Sheena Luaehu-Lyons and I am the President of CAPACRAO. Last year brought a whirlwind of changes for all our institutions. As we adapted to the ever-changing environment, our organization made a quick pivot to discover new ways to connect with its members and corporate partners in a virtual setting. I was happy to connect with many of you through our virtual programming in 2020 which included webinars, happy hours, and a summer lunch-and-learn series.

I am proud to announce that CAPACRAO was awarded the Elbert W. Ockerman State and Regional Professional Activity Award by AACRAO. This accolade was accomplished through the collaboration of our Executive Board and Standing Committee members, our Corporate Partners, and each of the members from our Member Institutions. Thank you for sharing this success with us!

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February is American Heart Month

COVID aside, during the winter months, we tend to engage in less physical activities that can get our hearts engaged. February is American Heart Month. CAPACRAO challenges you this month to encourage you, your family, your coworkers, and anyone else you are in constant communication with to boost your awareness about heart health.

Heart Healthy Ideas

  • Wear Red! Friday, February 5 doesn't have to be the only day we wear red! Suggest it for your next staff meeting.
  • Exercise! Support a local gym by attending their live virtual classes. Or find a video via YouTube.
  • Make Valentine's Day Heart Healthy! Plan a date to go on a hike or cook a heart-healthy meal with your loved one on Valentine’s Day.
  • Walk! Commit to a walking schedule with a friend or family member, even if you can’t walk together. We are virtual nowadays anyway.
    • Walking outside? There is an app called Charity Miles that donate resources based on your walking. Learn more here.
    • Walking inside? Search "walking exercises" via Youtube for tons of inspiration.
  • Create a Department Team Builder! Challenge your office, department, or unit to participate in a “steps” contest. Use activity trackers (hint, Charity Miles is free - learn more here) to see which team takes the most steps.
  • Flip Your Team Staff Meeting! Ask health care providers or members of your Student Wellness Center to give a presentation to your office, department, or unit about ways to prevent heart disease.
  • Get Social! Join the #OurHearts movement by sharing on social media how you’re working with friends or family to be heart healthy. Encourage your friends and family to as well. Be sure to use the hashtag!
Thanks for reading. Explore more ways to help encourage heart-healthy behaviors for yourselves or others. 
Do you have insights for other heart-healthy ideas this month? Don't be shy! Feel free to comment below and share. 

January 2021 Legislative Update


Picture Credit: Kalamazoo Public Library https://www.kpl.gov/about/news/inauguration-day-2021/ 

2020 was a tumultuous year for higher education. But what is the outlook for 2021? How will Dr. Miguel Cardona, Biden's pick for Education Secretary and an educator with a background in K-12 education, interact with the realm of higher education? What factors will affect the industry most? The below articles shed some light on these questions.

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January 2021 Professional Development Events

Professional Development Calendar

AACRAO Monthly Caucus Meeting | Virtual | January 12, 2021 | 3 PM 

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Spring 2021 Plans

imageHappy New Year! I came across this January 5th article in The Chronicle, As the Pandemic Worsens, College Prepare to Test Their Spring Plans and I'm wondering, how are CAPACRAO institutions operating? 


We would love to dialogue with you. Feel free to leave your responses via our blog.

COVID Safe Activities This Winter

Monday, December 21, 2020, begins the Winter season. While COVID is still present, consider ways for you to engage in safe activities that provide health and wellness. View this article from the University of Maryland Medical System with suggestions for COVID safe activities. Stay safe! Stay healthy.

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Member Spotlight: Warran Bryan




Name: Warren Bryan
Institution: University of Maryland, College Park 
Role: Assistant in the Office of the Registrar
What do you do at UMD?  
My main responsibilities are managing the Undergraduate Catalog and its production process, assisting with Records and Registration Services-related tasks and helping tackle different projects that come through the office. 
I also like to think one of my big job responsibilities is making anyone I interact with smile and maybe laugh a little too