MACRAO Summer Summit 2025 Agenda

Registration and Breakfast

Opening Presentation

Welcome notes from College Articulation and Registrar’s Practice Committees

Welcome from the Provost, Dr. Kellogg

Keynote

Ch-Ch-Changes in Higher Education - A brief look at today’s turbulent times and the impact on higher education.

Refreshment Break

Advancing Reverse Transfer Initiatives

The Michigan legislature has a renewed focus on transfer initiatives and a call for the development of more reverse transfer agreements. The time to increase automation of this once cumbersome process is now! This session will provide a brief review of reverse transfer, its benefits to both universities and community colleges, how Macomb Community College and Wayne State University have built reverse transfer into many of their processes, and how the National Student Clearinghouse's reverse transfer solution can help automate processes.

John Meldrum, Director of Records & Registration, Macomb Community College

Kurt Kruschinska, University Registrar, Wayne State University

Mindy Starcher, Business Development Executive, National Student Clearinghouse

The Move to Opt-Out Graduation

Explore how Mid Michigan College switched from an opt-in to an opt-out graduation process. Learn about the key lessons, challenges, and results from this impactful change.

Detroit Credit Mobility

This session will highlight how the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Credit Mobility Coalition is advancing credential recognition and transfer-friendly practices across Michigan. The coalition represents 13 institutions aligned in their efforts to standardize credit for industry-recognized credentials and prior learning, in order to create seamless pathways for students and workers in high-demand fields. Institutions involved in the coalition will share their experiences, strategies for fostering alignment, and approaches to faculty and employer engagement. Gain insights into assessing transfer-friendly systems, scaling credit for prior learning, and strengthening workforce connections to support equitable economic mobility.

Amber Greenway Neher, Director, Student Success & Postsecondary Partnerships, Detroit Drives Degrees, Detroit Regional Chamber

Tricia Westergaard, Registrar, Oakland University

Anna Markiewicz, Manager Student Transfer Systems, Macomb Community College

Transfer Center: A physical location presentation

The new Transfer Center at Lansing Community College is designed to guide students through every step of their transfer journey—from exploring transfer options to navigating articulation agreements and connecting with four-year institutions. In our current temporary space, we provide one-on-one assistance to students with transfer-related questions, educate both students and staff on the transfer process and its impact on our community, and actively collaborate with four-year colleges to develop transfer programming and streamlined pathways. Our team utilizes a data centered approach to addressing enhancements or adjustments to processes impacting our transfer student population as well. This initiative aligns with LCC’s Strategic Plan by removing barriers and enhancing systems that support student success from admission to completion—and beyond with transfer being one of the colleges success metrics. The new physical space will open Spring of 2026 and will provide office spaces for 4-year college and university representatives to host meetings and information sessions for students as well as a conference/instruction room for our team to deliver educational presentations.

Registrar Topics

Join your fellow colleagues for a rousing discussion on registrar topics!

Transfer Topics

Join your fellow colleagues for a rousing discussion on transfer hot topics!

Jerry Baird, Academic Advisor, Macomb Community College

Catherine Belkowski, Outreach Coordinator, Ferris State University

Rachael Szymanski, Schoolcraft College

Helping High School Students Navigate Their Next Chapter with Purpose, Confidence, and Possibility    

WAVE, an outreach program provided by Mid Michigan College, is focused on helping high school students navigate their next steps. Through career and academic exploration, self-assessment, goal setting, and step-by-step support to begin their journey after high school, WAVE helps students succeed.

Transfer Guides

This interactive workshop will explore the development, management, and optimization of transfer guides across higher education institutions. Participants will engage in collaborative discussions to establish standards and share effective approaches for creating comprehensive transfer resources. Facilitated group discussion addressing the question: "What information should every transfer guide include?" Participants will collaborate to develop a comprehensive checklist of critical components and user-centered design principles. 

Registrar Practice

Join your fellow colleagues for a rousing discussion on registrar topics!

Reimagining Transfer Success: Wayne State University’s Innovative Approach to Transfer Pathways

Discover how Wayne State University transformed traditional articulation agreements into comprehensive Transfer Pathways designed to streamline student transitions and promote academic success. This session will explore the development of these pathways, the collaborative processes behind their creation, and the robust transfer advising model that supports students every step of the way. Attendees will gain insights into scalable strategies for enhancing transfer student outcomes through intentional partnerships and proactive advising.

Ranae Hamama, Associate Director, Transfer Student Success, Wayne State

Nicole Saez, Transfer Advisor, Transfer Student Success Center, Wayne State

FERPA - The Game

Join in a lively game of FERPA trivia. Hearty refreshments will be served. 

Registration and Breakfast

Good Morning Notes

Welcome to day two! From College Articulation and Registrar’s Practice Committees

Sticky Notes Can’t Fix Everything (But We’re Still Gonna Try)

Wicked problems. You know them, you dread them — the complex, messy, no-clear-answer issues that keep higher education professionals up at night. Whether it's navigating transfer course equivalencies, figuring out how to get students to submit their official transcripts, or just always being asked to do more with less, these problems refuse to sit still or play nice.

In this hands-on (I promise it will be fun) session, we’ll dive headfirst into the chaos using the principles of design thinking. You will be asked to come up with a wicked problem that you are looking to solve as it relates to your position or office, so start thinking! Yes, there will be sticky notes. No, they won't magically solve everything — but they will help us collaborate, empathize, and prototype our way toward more thoughtful solutions.

Expect creativity, laughter, and maybe even a few aha moments. Whether you're a seasoned innovator or just sticky note–curious, you'll walk away with practical tools and a new mindset for tackling the unsolvable — or at least making it slightly more solvable.

MCCA, MiLEAP, MCAN

MCCA will share an update on the implementation of its new Student Success Framework, grounded in the principles of the Aspen Institute's Community College 3.0 model. This presentation will highlight the framework’s core principles, showcase how it translates into practice, and provide updates on related projects, tools, resources, and legislative priorities.

MiLEAP will share updates on the MiLEAP Transfer Success Project being funded by the legislature thru September 2027.

MCAN will address the state of college access and success in Michigan. While increasing college access has long been a priority in Michigan, ensuring student success through completion is just as critical. Disparities in student retention and completion persist, especially for first-generation college going students, low-income students, and students of color. To achieve Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal, institutions must strengthen support systems beyond enrollment, ensuring students have the resources to persist to graduation. This session will explore the current state of college access and success as well as the evolving landscape of leadership, policies, and public sentiment that shape higher education in the state. The presenter will examine how these changes are influencing college access, affordability, and workforce readiness initiatives. Participants will learn about the strategic evolution of MCAN, including how collective impact and systems-change strategies are leveraged to support Michigan’s colleges and universities, as well as the staff that work within, in ensuring equitable opportunities for students to succeed in postsecondary education and beyond.

Evan Pauken, Michigan Community College Association

Katie Giardello, MiLEAP

Jamie Storey, Michigan College Access Network

Admissions Tour

Join us for an optional Macomb Admissions walking tour! Comfortable clothing/footwear is suggested for the brief walking tour to the main campus buildings.

Lakshmi Malalahalli, Macomb Community College