Project Management for Registrars

The modern registrar’s office moves readily from one project to the next in our work to support student success and provide outstanding service to the university community. Employing best practices from a project management framework can go a long way to making those projects run more smoothly, efficiently, and more successfully. Rita Peaster and Aaron Apel talk about their background and experience with project management frameworks, provide insights into ways to improve your office’s overall project management capabilities, and reflect on various aspects of project management.         

Key Takeaways:

• Application of project management best practices can make the work of your office more efficient, effective, and successful.
• Pursuing project management certification makes sense if your work includes significant project work. Otherwise, informal training will be sufficient. The Project Management Institute is a good place to start if you are interested in formal training or certification. There are also many free resources available with a simple web search.
• Many downstream issues can be alleviated with careful, thoughtful preparation and consistent, transparent communication in the early stages of a project. Consider the stakeholders who will be affected and keep them in the loop. There will be surprises with every project and open communication from the start will help immensely.   

Hosts:

Doug McKenna, University Registrar
George Mason University
cmckenn@gmu.edu 

Sarah Reed, Registrar
University of California Hastings College of the Law
reedsarah@uchastings.edu 

Guests:

Rita Peaster
University Registrar
Oklahoma State University - Main Campus
rita.peaster@okstate.edu 

Aaron Apel
Assistant Registrar for Enrollment & Residency
University of Wisconsin - Madison
aaron.apel@wisc.edu 

References and Additional Information:

Project Management Institute  

scrum.org - the home of scrum

Project Management Best Practices: Salapatas, J. N. (2000). Best practices—the nine elements to success. Paper presented at Project Management Institute Annual Seminars & Symposium, Houston, TX. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.

PMBOK Guide - A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge - 7th Edition

Project Management classes via LinkedIn Learning

Core Competencies and Professional Proficiencies:

Leadership & Management
Data Systems Management

Change Management