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. 

Join CAPACRAO members for a conversation about your personal experiences and reflections in enrollment management during COVID. We'd also love to hear your predictions and desires for the future of enrollment management.

While we have you, check out this article by Encoura entitled "The New Enrollment Practice: Positive Impact for the Future, and these brief articles from Inside HigherEd "Enrollment Declines Lead to Layoffs at U of Redlands," and "Some HBCUs Lower Fall Tuition."

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.

Professional Development Calendar

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

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. 

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

Have you registered for our April Workshop?

Professional Development Calendar

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

Dual Enrollment Word Cloud made using https://wordart.com/. 

CAPACRAO Launches a Dual Enrollment SIG for Chesapeake and Potomac Area Colleagues

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. 

Professional Development Calendar

AtD Webinar: Applying a Holistic Systems Approach to Designing Student Supports | Virtual | February 1, 2021 | 1 PM

AACRAO celebrates 2021 award winners

Thomas A. Bilger Award - Seth Kamen - University of Baltimore

Named for a Past President of AACRAO, this award is presented to a member in recognition of consistent vision, service, and leadership in AACRAO with seven or more years of volunteer service.

Elbert W. Ockerman State and Regional Professional Activity Award - CAPACRAO

Colleagues,

AACRAO is seeking your suggestions for spring 2021 coffee break ideas.
What are your campus concerns? What do you need professionally? 

Feel free to make a comment via our blog and we will forward them. 

Professional Development Calendar

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

Professional Development Calendar

Attract, Inspire, Mentor, and Support Students (AIMS2) Program | Virtual | December 10, 2020 | 1 PM