1. How to Survive—and Even Thrive— When Pulled in Many Directions
Many Hats, One Head:
How to Survive—and Even Thrive—
When Pulled in Many Directions
Dr. Steve McLeod, Associate Dean
Harding School of Theology

3. The Mechanic’s Son Too Late to Change the Things he had already done
Accept what he had created for himself
Do the best that he can

4. The Doctoral Student

5. The Luncheon

6. Georgia Fan

7. My Setting Small School: about 130 students
Branch Campus, Harding University 5000+
Duties—primarily Registrar
One-person office
A “Banner” school

8. My Hats Registrar (Registration and Record-keeping)
Produce the School Catalog
Produce the School Calendar and Class Schedule
Chair Admissions Committee
Chair Retention Committee
Serve on Scholarship Committee

9. My Hats #2 Assign Academic Advisors Perform Annual Degree Checks
Develop Long-term Academic Plans (esp. part-time distance students)
PDSO for International students (SEVIS)
VA School Certifying Official (VA-ONCE)
File Annual Reports: THEC, ATS, VA; previously IPEDS

10. My Hats #3 Direct Institutional Research
Direct Self-Studies for Reaccreditation (HLC, ATS)
Contact Person for Auditors from THEC, VA, FBI, Homeland Security, SEVIS
Unofficial Personal Finance Counselor
(Dave Ramsey fan)
Dean sabbatical—chair faculty meetings and handled Academic Affairs Committee requests

11. How Wide?
Larger schools = inch wide, mile deep Small College Registrar = mile wide, inch deep

12. Banner Transition in 2003 74 year-old assistant, Ruth
Encouraged to retire

13. Banner Transition in 2003
Not permitted to replace her; “budget issues”
Not happy
Became bitter and angry
Students noticed

14. Change Attitude or Change Jobs
Problem with changing jobs?
I would still be me; bitter and angry

15. Love Your Neighbor
Change Not Quick
1000 Decisions
Many Years
Humor

16. New Twitter Handle
@RuthlessRegistrar

17. Remember the Main Thing
“The Main Thing is to keep
the Main Thing
the Main Thing.”
--Lige Turman, Former elder (deceased)
Highland Church of Christ, Memphis, TN

18. What’s the Main Thing? Make Boss Look Good Keep the School Open
Improve the School (Institutional Research)
Keep Auditors Satisfied (THEC, VA, SEVIS, etc.)

19. Tips to Handle the Main Thing (and some little ones, too)
Don’t take on too much that is not necessary.
(e.g., sabbatical from SACRAO executive committee
while directing assessment self-study)
2. You can’t know everything, so find a friend who does! (Network)
Let them know how thankful you are for their help.

20. Tips, Cont’d 3. Communication is Key—email (in writing)
4. Take Advantage of Available Resources
NAFSA Advisor’s Manual
Local Conferences/Training
Memphis Internat’l Student Advisor Colloquy
5. Use Technology Judiciously
Banner: Yes
Third party transcripts: No

21. Tips, Cont’d
6. Doing it all yourself will not work. DELEGATE!!! (1st Self-Study) 7. If Faculty or Student asks Question, Send Answer to Everyone Who Might Need It

22. Tips, Cont’d 8. Choose Listserves Carefully
Small College Registrar Listserve
ATSRAO:

23. Tips, Cont’d 9. Plan Ahead and Work Ahead So You Won’t Get Behind
10. You can’t change others.
You can’t control events.
You can only change your attitude.

24. Facts of Life Everyone will ignore your emails.
You can get upset but it will not help
Laugh and move on

25. Have Fun Bible Exam FAQs Advanced Introduction Courses
Q. I passed 5001 Advanced Introduction to the OT and 5201 Advanced Introduction to the NT. I don’t need to take the Bible exam. Right?
A. Wrong. Passing the Intros has nothing to do with the Bible exam. You must still take the Bible exam.

26. Have Fun Bible Exam FAQs Bible Major
Q. I was a Bible major and had a 4.0. I don’t need to take the Bible exam, right?
A. Wrong. If you had a 4.0 as a Bible major, you should do well on the Bible exam.

27. Have Fun Bible Exam FAQs Procrastinators
Q. We are supposed to take the Bible exam in our first semester. I didn’t. Does that mean I’m exempt?

28. Have Fun Bible Exam FAQs Procrastinators
Q. We are supposed to take the Bible exam in our first semester. I didn’t. Does that mean I’m exempt?
A. Seriously? No. Take the exam.

29.  Are You Thriving Yet? Observations, Questions, Comments?
(No Criticisms; leave those for
Guidebook Evaluations) 

31. Contact Info
Dr. Steve McLeod, Associate Dean Harding School of