Let's Talk About X-Y-Z: Working Together Across Generations

A panel of MACRAO members from different generations share their thoughts to raise awareness of the different values that people of different generations have towards things like well-being, work-life balance, and work ethic. This presentation is in response to the high turnover many institutions are experiencing and the acknowledgment that workplaces may need to change to recruit new professionals from a younger generation.

Enrollment Management Roundtable

This will be a causal roundtable discussion of enrollment management topics that are at the forefront of individuals' minds. Please come to seek and offer input or brainstorm solutions and resources regarding a topic that has been on your mind.

Admissions Roundtable

Roundtable discussion to address hot topics related to admissions and recruitment.

Transfer Roundtable

The Transfer Roundtable is a fantastic way to increase your knowledge of the transfer articulation process, best practices in transfer recruitment and credit placement policy, and get those burning questions answered from your counterparts on ‘the other side’. This is also a great forum for networking and meeting others who regularly navigate the complex world of transfer articulation and recruitment! This will be an open forum discussion where everyone will be able to participate and join in the conversation!

Equity in Education Roundtable

We will be taking a look into current events revolving around equity in higher education today. This will be an opportunity for an open discussion.

Registrars Roundtable

Join us for networking and information sharing. The format will be open discussion.

New Attendees Reception

Everyone is invited to join us in welcoming new annual conference attendees. Join us for a great time of networking and relationship-building. Meet members of the MACRAO Board as well as committee members and other returning MACRAO attendees. We are looking forward to meeting you and showing you the power of MACRAO.

Conquering Change: Re-organization, Staffing, and Mission Setting

Sharing a case-study of change and re-organization at GRCC. Sharing leadership lessons and leading through change. Focusing on components of leadership within your control and what is not. How to motivate when facing the unknown.

Writing Classes at the Advent of AI: Opportunities, Pitfalls and Policies

In this presentation Northwestern Michigan College Academic Chair for Communications Michael Anderson will discuss chatbot technology, what it can and can't do, its applications in writing classes, as well as NMC's English department efforts to write assignments and policies that address academic dishonesty. 

Connecting Admissions and Academic Partners on Campus

Admissions staff often see a need to strengthen partnerships with academic units, colleges, staff and faculty from disparate areas of campus. This session provides both a model and philosophy for building partnerships that can improve the admissions funnel and student success while mitigating some of the stress inherent in the recruitment process.

ReFOCUS: Suporting Academic Recovery and Reducing Academic Dismissal

All students on academic probation (cumulative GPA<2.0) were eligible with a focus on recruitment of underserved populations (N=290). Administrators ran communication campaigns that relied on personal invitations to students from campus leaders, encouraging them to participate. Impact: The ReFOCUS program pilot demonstrated a positive correlation between level of engagement and semester GPA. Students who were academically dismissed at the end of the Spring term was reduced by 30% compared to non-participants.

Journey Management: Rethinking Degree Progress

Imagine you are a student at your campus, and it’s time to register. You need to review your progress, look at your plan (if you have one), identify the correct courses, figure out which sections work best for you, maybe meet with your advisor, and ultimately register at the appropriate time. How many tabs do you need to do this? How confident are you that you’ll pick the right courses? How long before you reach out for assistance? Let’s take a journey beyond fragmented systems and processes. Drawing on research from EDUCAUSE, NACADA, and Tyton Partners, come learn how unifying these components under one modern roof can impact student success, and provide unprecedented data and efficiency to your office.

Veteran and Military Educators Committee History and Path Forward

Join the new Veteran and Military Educators Committee as we revisit the history of the former Consortium of Michigan Veteran Educators, briefly detailing how the CMVE supported military-connected students and employees of universities/colleges through knowledge committees and partnerships with MASU, MCAN, and others, then participate in a roundtable discussion on how this new committee should function going forward.

Make the most of your MACRAO - Help yourself and help others

Participation in your local association is about more than getting out of the office and attending a few sessions. Are you lost in your current role? Do you feel confused about your career path? Do you want to simply explore possibilities for somewhere down the road? Attend this session to learn tips, tricks, etc. for making the most of your membership, expanding your knowledge and professional network. Who knows…you might just meet a new friend along the way. Presenters will share stories from their time in advising, admissions, and registrar’s offices across multiple institutions, outlining how their connections have helped develop them into the person/professional they are today.

 Tricia Westergaard/Oakland University,

Valerie Butterfield

Deedee Stakely

Admissions 101- Admissions and Registrar

The Admissions 101 session is geared toward individuals outside of admissions, to start a conversation of how Admissions Offices and Registrars work together to accomplish our goals. Join us for a friendly discussion.

Legislative Hot Topics

AACRAO and Washington Updates

Connie Newsome, AACRAO Board member and VP-At-Large, will share news on recent organizational updates, useful resources, and the upcoming annual meeting.

Tips for Using Music for Wellness from a Music Therapist Turned Advisor

Music is something we can all connect with and enjoy, but have you ever explored the full depth of its impact? Learn about music's unique effect on the brain and explore the evidence for its therapeutic implications from a music therapist turned academic advisor. Implement tips and tricks of using music as a stress reducer, productivity booster and mood-improver for yourself and your team. 

FERPA--The Game

Come on down! FERPA--The Game is going to be a wild time at the MACRAO conference. You will learn about the basic concepts of FERPA and participate in an interactive game where one person will be crowned the Michigan FERPA Guru, complete with a trophy to show all your colleagues, family, and friends. Participants should bring a smart phone with them for the interactive portion.

Building Bridges: Key Elements for Successful Implementation of First-Year Interest Groups (FIGs)

First-Year Interest Groups (FIGs) have emerged as a proven strategy for enhancing the academic engagement and retention of first-year students at universities across the country. At Wayne State University, we have successfully implemented FIGs through strong partnerships between the advising community, faculty members, and the Office of the Registrar. Through the use of Banner, students who opt-in to join a FIG experience two-click block schedule registration. FIG enrolled students receive peer mentor support and connect on a deeper level to their academic peers as well as faculty in the classroom. For Fall 2023, our FIG offerings have increased by 30 sections, providing seats for more than 1,200 incoming students. This presentation will delve into our planning process, the functionality of our FIG program, and our comprehensive assessment methods that drive our decisions. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how to establish and sustain a successful FIG program at their institutions.

10 Emerging Trends In Online Orientation

Join our discussion on creating accessible & engaging online orientations. We will share examples from four & two-year public & private institutions that highlight best practices, focusing on equity, access, and fostering a sense of belonging. Discover how online orientations support enrollment management and seamlessly transition students into FYE programs. Gain valuable insights, strategies, and tools to enhance your online onboarding experience."

Living our Founder's Vision: Closing Gaps through the Ferris Equity Initiative

In 2022, the university undertook a bold set of initiatives to address historic achievement and equity gaps. Institutional data reflect persistence and degree attainment rates that are 17 and 20 percent lower among historically underserved student groups for associate and bachelor degree seeking students respectfully. These initiatives involved a series of diagnostics resulting in the organization of an initial set of six best practice teams charged with taking action through discovery and elevation of actionable change. Engaging faculty, staff, students and external partners, the Ferris Equity Initiative offers a framework to aid others in the work to eradicate educational inequity.

Paradigm Inc - Enhancing Academic Recognition: Tailored Solutions for Diplomas, Diploma Covers, and Digital Credentials

Discover how our tailored solutions streamline diploma management, data extraction, and digital credential services for registrar offices. We'll share insights on our unique presentation products, our system's seamless integration with SIS, and how we've simplified processes for diverse institutions.

Comedian

Evening Entertainment: As heard on SiriusXM
Growing up under the influence of Jim Gaffigan and Brian Reagan, Dan combines his real-life observations and experiences into a performance that is honest and insightful and that audiences can relate to and laugh at.
Dan talks about life from a wannabe superhero's point of view on having to grow up, family, and relationships while maintaining honesty and truth.
This Cleveland State University graduate is a favorite at his home comedy clubs and venues. He is funny, clean, and ready to take his show on the road to your town!

Application ”Unboxing” on August 1

Many colleges and universities make their applications available on August 1 of each year. In the fall of 2022, Michigan State University launched its first webinar designed to unbox the first-year application for students and parents with related questions. Unboxing is the process of using online video to provide viewers with an in-depth exploration of a product or service, and the related videos have garnered millions of online views and followers. For 2023, MSU’s unboxing webinar expanded into a broader program and there is further the potential for a shared application unboxing day to become a college admissions benchmark similar to college decision day. This session would explore ways in which such programming can support a variety of an institution’s enrollment managements goals.

Registrar Professionals Panel

Join a panel of experienced registrars with decades of experience to learn how the profession has changed over the decades and where they believe it is going.

High-Level Student Appeals: Philosophy, Flow, and Follow-Up

High-level student appeals--not ordinary grade disputes or flexes within curricula, but issues relating to institution-wide requirements and rules--by definition are high-stakes matters for students because they affect graduation. They are high-stakes for the school as well, because their issues reverberate beyond any single department, with rules that sometimes even stem from outside the institution itself. This session will explore the hows and whys of a good process for high-level student appeals at LCC, also inviting feedback from the processes and models of other schools.

Too Much Turnover: Myths Versus Realities in Enrollment Management

Panelists will discuss implications related to an early 2023 Chronicle of Higher Ed article regarding the turnover crisis in Admissions departments. The session will highlight barriers to employee retention and explore strategies to overcome staffing challenges in enrollment management.

If I had 10 minutes with that legislator, I'd talk about....

What is the education topic at the top of your mind you'd like to be able to bring to the state house/senate? Bring your topics and let's discuss how you can be that person at Advocacy Day and how MACRAO can help shape our state.

Stretched Thin and On the Ledge?: NOT This Administrator!!! CRSN: See. The. Reason. To Do You and Land Contentedly In Your Happy Place

Higher education administrators are some of the most selfless people one has the pleasure to ever meet. Although consistent selflessness has both rewards and challenges, self-care is necessary to maintain balance. What could such beneficial selfishness look like in the midst of leading, empowering, and driving change? Whether you are in leadership, front desk customer service, or somewhere in between, finding ways to intentionally and consistently focus on your own happiness can only lead to genuine fulfillment. After the introductory presentation, let us chat during a follow up session to explore some practical steps to “do you” and land contentedly in your happy place.

FAFSA Simplification: Campus-Wide Implications

In this session we’ll cover the what, the why, the when, and the who of FAFSA simplification as it applies to our students and offices and units across campus
We’ll also discuss how all of the changes coming out of FAFSA Simplification impact our institution, some of which is already effective and some of which is coming in 2024-25, for which students will begin completing the FAFSA this December. Come prepared with one question you would like answered.