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. 

Johns Hopkins September Professional Development + Discount

We appreciate the opportunity to support the work of our CAPACRAO colleagues! Former CAPACRAO President and continued active member, Aaron Urbanski, has shared a dynamic professional development opportunity he is managing at Johns Hopkins University. This month, the Carey Business School is facilitating two virtual workshops:

Professional Development Calendar

Update Your Professional Brand

Working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, provided many challenges but also many opportunities. Specifically, being away from our students, stakeholders, colleagues, and desks and I mean physically away from them pushed our institutions, departments and each of us into creativity overdrive. The opportunities presented new and unique ways that transformed how we executed our outputs and considered our inputs.

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.

Meet The New Executive Board 

It's a new year for CAPACRAO. We are so excited to share our new executive team with you. 

Past-Present: Sheena Luaehu-Lyons, Towson University
President: Johnika Dreher, Prince George's Community College 
President-Elect: Shari Christie, Bowie State University
Vice President of Programming: Reginald Garson, Washington Adventist University
Vice President of Communications: Danielle Worsham, Towson University
Treasurer: Rebecca Fowler, Towson University
Treasurer-Elect: Otu Obot, II, Prince George's Community College

Connect with us. To register, click here.

We are meeting soon. Click here to register.

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:

Eye on Research: June 2021

Transfer research, aiding adult learners of color, and vaccine mandates

This month's blog details AACRAO's work around Re-Envisioning Transfer, with our work group and upcoming virtual Transfer Practice Summit. Additionally, topics such as college graduate readiness, strategies to aid adult learners of color, wealth inequities in admissions and more are discussed. 

To view the full AACRAO Blog, click here.

Professional Development Calendar

CAPACRAO loves to support all things Maryland and Washington, DC. Recently while researching virtual events for July via the Chronicle of Higher Education, I came across this dynamic leadership series featuring diverse leaders. How awesome to see one of our CAPACRAO President's highlighted. Check out the series. Let us know your thoughts.

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.

Professional Development Calendar

Members register using this link.

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.

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.