Welcome to the Washington Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (WaACRAO) website.
What’s Coming August 2025?
Check out the program below!
Conference Updates
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ervin
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Tafona Ervin as our keynote speaker!
Dr. TAFONA ERVIN is an advocate for transformational educational opportunities for all, bringing over 15 years of experience advocating for equitable education for historically marginalized children and extensive experience leading place-based community initiatives.
As the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Tacoma Students, she collaborates with hundreds of community partners in a united effort to help Tacoma’s youngest residents thrive from cradle to college and career. Her focus: equity, community, collaboration, and student success.
Tafona has become a key figure in driving transformative change within the educational landscape of the Greater Tacoma area, the state of Washington, and nationally.
Born and raised in Tacoma, WA, Tafona is fueled by her lived experiences. She has seen the dual realities of how systems can either uplift or marginalize individuals, particularly in communities less resourced. However, her love for learning propelled her to rise above these systemic challenges, skip grades in school, graduate with a bachelor’s degree while pregnant with her first child, and continue to earn both her master’s and doctorate degrees in education administration and public policy from Washington State University.
Education became her foundation, not just for personal growth but as a lever for unlocking opportunities for others in her community. Now as both a national leader and a mother of school-aged children, she brings a dual perspective that informs her strategic vision and leadership style.
Tafona’s leadership style is both straightforward and empathetic, balancing professionalism with an appreciation for the human side of work. Known for her candid communication, humor, and ability to foster connection, she creates an environment where her team and community feels supported, valued, and empowered to take bold steps toward impactful change.
Tafona is a renowned member of her community. Her leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including, but not limited to, being named one of South Sound’s 40 Under 40 and Business Leader of the Year, recognized by StriveTogether National as a Cradle to Career Champion, receiving recognition by the Tacoma Urban League as a Champion for Children and Community Advocate, and being celebrated as an Innovator in Education and Golden Apple Recipient by KCTS 9 Local Public Television.
As a dedicated wife and mother of three that never settles for anything less than what’s best for her family and her community, Tafona understands the complexities of balancing family, ambition, self-care, and a deep desire for justice. She’s passionate about inspiring others to step out of their comfort zones, take on the impossible, and find their own personal power. Through her contagious resilience and determination, Tafona invites you to join her in reimagining what’s possible—for ourselves, our communities, and the systems that shape our lives.
AACRAO Update
William (Bill) Gil, Senior Director of Government Relations at AACRAO, will be joining us to provide an important update on current initiatives and policies.
In this role, he implements the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers (AACRAO’s) public policy agenda and oversees federal government relations, legislative, policy, and regulatory matters that could impact AACRAO’s membership, which includes 11,000 individual members at over 2,600 higher education institutions. He provides information and strategic advice regarding developments in education policy and regulations related to college admissions, student records, privacy, financial aid, and other higher education issues at the federal, state, and local levels.
Prior to this position, he served as Vice President of Programs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), where he oversaw all day-to-day operations of CHCI’s leadership development programs and educational services. This included managing the Congressional Internship, Public Policy Fellowship, Graduate Fellowship, Ready to Lead, and Scholarship award programs, as well as CHCI’s educational resources and tools.
He was also Associate Vice President for Collegiate Programs and Federal Relations for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). In this position, he was responsible for all aspects of the largest Hispanic internship program in the nation, coordinating internships for over 600 individuals per year. He also forged stronger relationships between HACU, the White House, Congress, federal agencies, member institutions, and other national higher education and Hispanic organizations. Additionally, he oversaw regulatory issues affecting Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs).
Other professional experiences include serving as Executive Director and Legislative Assistant for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), an informal group of Hispanic Members of Congress committed to advancing Latino issues through the legislative process. He has also worked with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program of Arlington County, The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC).
Bill was born in Venezuela and moved to the United States at a young age. He earned a Master’s in Public Administration from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where he double-majored in Economics and Spanish Literature. He lives in Arlington, VA with his wife Kelly and their two sons, Alexander Rafael and Dominic Vicente.
Bill’s Role at AACRAO
Bill manages and implements AACRAO’s public policy agenda and oversees federal government relations, legislative, policy, and regulatory matters impacting the AACRAO membership.
Join us on Zoom
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 973 6236 9421
Hello WaACRAO members,
Registration Now Open for Our 20th Anniversary Conference!
We’re excited to announce that registration is now open for the 20th Anniversary WaACRAO Conference! This year’s theme, Resilience, celebrates the strength, adaptability, and commitment that have carried our organization and our members through two decades of transformation in higher education. From navigating the sudden move to virtual conferences during the COVID-19 pandemic to meeting the ongoing challenges of shifting federal and local policy landscapes, resilience has been—and continues to be—a cornerstone of our success.
Join us on August 7, 2025 at UW Bothell as we reflect on the past, engage with the present, and look forward to a future where resilience remains essential in shaping the path ahead.
Plan your stay (link to book forthcoming):
We’ve reserved a block of rooms at the Country Inn & Suites, Seattle-Bothell (19333 N Creek Pkwy, Bothell), just a 5-minute drive from the UW Bothell campus.
A dedicated link to book at the below price points will be shared in a following email.
- King bed: $119/night
- Two queen beds: $129/night
WaACRAO needs YOU!
As a WaACRAO board volunteer, you have the opportunity to shape not only the work of the association but the professional face of admissions, records, registration, credentials and enrollment management across the state of Washington. You will also make invaluable professional connections and work with great people.
The following board position is currently vacant:
Click to view a brief position description.
The WaACRAO board meets monthly by Zoom leading up to the conference with more frequent meetings closer to the conference. The board carries out the work of the organization throughout the year planning the next WaACRAO conference.
Email mbanford@uw.edu for more information or to volunteer