Alice Poehls was named the new registrar Aug. 8 and began work Sept. 26 due to a family emergency in August and September.
Poehls said her job as registrar includes continuing the reorganization of the registrar’s office and integrating more technology into the office.
“I’m learning how we do businesses, getting to know our constituents and their needs and focusing on how we can use our technology to enhance our service,” Poehls said.
Technology updates may include allowing AU faculty and staff access to the data system of the registrar and giving them the ability to see their schedules on Blackboard.
“[This is] using our system to the maximum,” Poehls said.
She will also address the new academic regulations, which will involve updates to the registrar’s current data system to address the new rules.
Poehls previously worked as the registrar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She also worked as director of admissions and records at University of North Dakota.
“One thing that stands out to me is the feeling that I have that I’m in the right place and the feeling that I have that people want me here,” she said.
The position became available after the former registrar retired in the beginning of the year and no internal successor was clear, according to Vice Provost for Academic Administration Violeta T. Ettle.
The University hired a search consultant to find candidates to present to a campus search committee. This process took three months, according to Ettle.
Ettle said the University was looking for strong leadership, practical knowledge, familiarity with integrating student services with the registrar’s office, as well as someone who would work well with the current staff and aid their development.
“I think Alice has the experience and expertise in the field of academic records, management and the functions of being a registrar,” Ettle said.
kfroehlich@theeagleonline.com
