Dr Helen Garrett
University Registrar and Chief Officer of Enrollment Information Services at University of Washington
Vice President for Records and Academic Services Position Statement
“No one ever set out to be a registrar when they grew up” is a common quip stated whenever there is a conversation on the career path to become a registrar. I am that 1% that did want to grow up to become a registrar and while it took me thirty years to arrive at becoming a full-time university registrar position in February of 2016 at the University of Washington, I did arrive. Dr. Horace King, former university registrar at Michigan State University, saw that future registrar in me and set me on a career that I hold dear and want to see thrive and grow.
The Vice President for Records and Academic Services Board position is the one that most aligns with my current position as a University Registrar, long-term career aspirations, and passions toward serving registrars nationally and internationally.
As one who aspires now as an AACRAO member to guide my fellow registrars in our work related to federal compliance and upcoming technology advances the VP for Records and Academic Services this Board position would be a perfect fit for harnessing my passion for our industry and our profession.
As a FERPA content expert and seasoned trainer, AACRAO provides me an avenue to train a new generation of registrars and affirm for the seasoned ones how to navigate the nuances of this federal privacy law. As a part of the Lumina/AACRAO Data Integration Workgroup and my interactions with Lumina and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce we are exploring what it would mean to adopt a Comprehensive Learner Record using a 3.0 web technology, such as blockchain.
As the VP for Records and Academic Services I would use my experience with training on FERPA, involvement in the Comprehensive Learner Records initiatives, and leadership skills to access AACRAO members to identify their routine/daily needs, as well as, to explore developing trends and changes impacting our profession. Anyone who has attended my Blockchain Untangled webinar or session knows that I begin with technological changes are 2% technology and 98% cultural shift and adaption. In this position I can be a voice for registrars impacted by the 98% cultural change that new technologies are having on our profession and again, on our daily work.
As a Board member in this position I would be able to reach out the membership to be sensitive to their current needs in the area of records and academic services. I have a strong commitment to those members who are not able to attend the annual meeting due to budgetary limitations or the need to attend SIS vendor annual meetings. I would leverage my positionality as a Board member to communicate out broadly to members to both seek their feedback and concerns and to provide education on changing trends and technological advances.
I have been a member of AACRAO since 1997 while employed for the University of Oregon (Admissions), Lane Community College-Oregon (Enrollment Services: Registrar and Admissions), and the University of Washington (Registrar). Over the years as an AACRAO member I have served on committees, presented on topics such as FERPA, Mindfulness, Work/Life Balance, Blockchain, and specific issues of interest to the members. I actively reach out and connect with attendees at the annual meetings to welcome, encourage, and support them in their professional development.
The Vice President for Records and Academic Services Board position, specifically, is attractive to me because I have worked in the various sectors, private, public, two-year, four-year, Admissions, and Registration. As a Board member, I would contribute as a leader pulling upon my former experiences as a board member, presenter, and or committee member within AACRAO, PACRAO, OrACRAO and WaACRAO. Having served as PACRAO president in 2011 I focused on being sensitive to those who may not have a voice and to create processes and systems to reach as many members as possible. I am encouraged with the steps being taken now by AACRAO such as with “AACRAO on the Road”, AACRAO Connect streaming from the annual meeting, the increased number of webinars, and promotion of the publication services.
As VP for Records and Academic Services I would contribute my voice to AACRAO’s various projects, initiatives, and strategic planning. I would strive to formulate that voice based on feedback from the members who do not serve in leadership positions and/or who are unable to attend the annual meeting.
I had to pull back from pursuing AACRAO leadership positions while at Lane Community College as we had to use our limited travel funds for Ellucians’ annual meetings and while I was completing my doctoral program at Oregon State University. Now that I am at the University of Washington and having earned my doctoral degree, I have the full support and encouragement from my supervisor, Dr. Philip Ballinger, Associate Vice Provost to accept a board position if I am elected. I look forward to giving back to the association in this capacity.
Helen B Garrett
Category
Vice President for Records and Academic Services
Description
Years as an AACRAO Member: 21
Annual Meetings Attended: 15
Annual Meetings Attended in the Last Five Years: 5
AACRAO Activities
1997 – Present American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
Professional Development Initial Mentor Committee, Chair
Nominations and Elections Committee
Federal Compliance Committee
Lumina/AACRAO Data Integrations Workgroup
Blockchain Untangled: A Journey to Demystify Webinar
State and Regional Activities
Current State Association: Washington
State ACRAO Meetings Attended: 21
State ACRAO Meetings Attended in the Last Five Years: 5
Current Regional ACRAO: PACRAO
Regional ACRAO Meetings Attended: 20
Regional ACRAO Meetings Attended in the Last Five Years: 5
State and/or Regional Activities
1996 – Present Pacific Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (PACRAO)
President, 2011-2012
Secretary, 2002-2004
Program Chair, 2007
Nominations and Elections Committee
Presentations: FERPA, Work/Life Balance
2017 Kauli.Co
Webinar: Herding the Cats of Culture, Politics, and Policy while Managing Change at your Institution
2016 – Present Washington Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (WaACRAO)
Presenter: FERPA, Mindfulness, Registrar 201: The Evolving Role of the Registrar
1997 – 2016 Oregon Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (OrACRAO)
Vice President, 1998-1999
Presentations: FERPA, Work/Life Balance
2010 – 2012 Council of Student Services Administrators
Presentations: Where Does Job End and My Life Begin?
2000 – 2016 Oregon Community College Admissions and Registration Directors
2009-2015
Academic Impressions
Innovative Educators
FERPA Training webinars
Education
Highest Degree Earned: Doctor of Education
Professional Experience
Work History
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
· University Registrar for a Research I University; Liaison for Enrollment Management to University of Washington-Information Technology
· Dean of Enrollment Management Systems: Managing registration and enrollment systems, staff, student and institutional accounts receivable and systems, and serving as Registrar in Enrollment and Student Financial Services.
· Fifteen years proven leadership spanning twenty divisions/units
· Fifteen years Data Custodian and Lead for eighteen-member cross-functional Student Module Core Team
· Led the implementation of: Ellucian Banner Student, Banner CAPP module, DegreeWorks, Ellucian Banner XE Registration, Ellucian Luminis Portal, TouchNet, Sponsor Point, Lumens, Maxient, and Intelliresponse
· FERPA Compliance Officer and nationally recognized FERPA trainer
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2016 – Present University Registrar and Chief Officer of Enrollment Information
Services
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Supervisor for six-member Office of the University Registrar and Enrollment Information Services Leadership Team who supervise: Residency, Classroom Scheduling and Time Schedule, Curriculum Office, Degree Audit Records Specialists, Graduation and Records Specialist, Registration Team, Academic Data Management, Learning Manager, Data Services, Web Project Team, Desktop and Server support
· Completed implementation of Enrollment Confirmation System
· Led implementation of Preferred Names Policy
· Re-designed physical and organizational structure of department; resulting in a new shared services team for all of Enrollment Management and higher morale
· Created Office of the University Registrar Advising Community Monthly forum
· Serve as liaison to multiple Provost taskforces dedicated to enhancing student experiences
2012 – 2016 Dean of Enrollment Management Systems
Lane Community College, Eugene Oregon
Serve as Registrar, Director of Admissions and Bursar. Manager for Enrollment and Student Financial Services Division including: Enrollment Service Advisors, Degree and Transcript Evaluators, Banner Student Systems Coordinators, Accounts Receivable, Veterans Services, Student Records, and Admissions.
· Implemented college wide mandatory orientation and academic advising
· Re-designed degree and evaluation processes; raised 8% completion rate to 13%
· Implemented DegreeWorks, software for self-service degree audit and planning tools
· Re-designed one-stop point of service; implemented self-service check-in
· Expanded Veteran Services and created new Veteran Student Center
2010 – 2012 Executive Dean of Student Affairs
Lane Community College
Managed division of Student Affairs: including remote campus locations in downtown Eugene and Cottage Grove, and departments for Financial Aid, Counseling and Advising, Disability Resources, Enrollment and Student Financial Services, Multicultural Affairs, Small Business Development Center, Student Life and Leadership, TRiO, and Women’s Program.
· Executive team member
· Member of development team for new Downtown Campus; opened first student housing for Lane, Titan Court.
· Re-designed Continuing Education and Small Business Development Center
· Led Win-Win and Reverse Transfer grant-funded initiatives
· Served as interim director of Financial Aid, March – November 2011
· Member of bargaining team with Lane Community College Employee Federation
· Led Judicial Advisory team, managed student code of conduct and complaints
2008 – 2010 Associate Dean of Student Affairs,
Enrollment & Student Financial Services Lane Community College
Served as Registrar, Director of Admissions, and Bursar. Manager for Enrollment and Student Financial Services including: Enrollment Service Advisors, Degree and Transcript Evaluators, Banner Student Systems Coordinators, Accounts Receivable team, Veterans Services, Student Records, Admissions, Student Recruitment and Outreach, Student and Sponsored Accounts.
· Full supervision for director of Financial Aid and Student and Sponsored Accounts
· Led development of new Enrollment and Student Financial Services division
· Re-designed Student Services lobby in Building 1
2000 – 2008 Director of Enrollment Services/Registrar
Lane Community College
Served as Registrar, Director of Admissions, and Bursar. Manager for Enrollment Services including: Enrollment & Financial Aid Service staff, Degree and Transcript Evaluators, Banner Student Systems Coordinator, Accounts Receivable team, Veterans Services, Student Records, Admissions, Student Recruitment and Outreach.
· Led implementation of Ellucian Banner Student Module
· Member of Ellucian Banner SIS Implementation Committee
· Served on Technology Council
· Served on Management Steering Committee
1996 – 2000 Associate Director of Admissions
University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon
Managed staff in transfer evaluation, freshmen and transfer decision-making, graduate and international admissions processing, transfer recruitment, NCCA compliance, mail processing, student workforce, and admission computing systems.
· Served as Admissions liaison to Academic Advising, Orientation Programs, Office of the Registrar, Housing, Financial Aid, University Computing Center, Graduate School, and Honors College.
· Led integration of admissions and registrar front-line services
· Recruitment in Alaska, Los Angeles, and at Lane Community College
· Developed University of Oregon/Lane Community College Dual Enrollment program
1995 – 1996 Director of Recruitment
1992 – 1995 Associate Director of Admissions
1990 – 1992 Assistant Director of Admissions
Whittier College, Whittier, California
Small, private, liberal arts college; 45 minutes east of Los Angeles
1988 – 1990 Admissions Counselor
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Years worked in Admissions: 10
Years worked in International Admissions: 0
Years worked as Registrar: 16
Years worked in Enrollment Management: 16
Years worked in Financial Aid: 0.8
Years worked in Institutional Research: 0
Years worked in Information Technology: 0
Years worked in other Fields: 2
Name of Unlisted Field: Executive Dean of Student Affairs
Other Activities:
Offices Held: