In her 35-year career at Stony Brook University, University Registrar Diane Bello has played multiple roles, all with the same overriding purpose.
“I’m all about the students,” she said. “The students are why we’re all here. And we need to maintain that focus throughout the university and especially here in the registrar’s office, where a new generation of students is coming all the time who need our guidance and support.”
In her varied external committee appointments over the years, Bello has also worked to continuously improve student life and experiences at SBU. Her most recent leadership role is as vice president for professional development for the Middle States Association of Collegiate Registrars and Officers of Admission (MSACROA).
MSACROA’s purpose is to perpetuate, encourage and expand the professional education development of its membership; promote the exchange of ideas on educational problems; and advance the areas of admission, financial planning, institutional research, records and registration, and student services. Members include higher ed professionals in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia.
“If I can get out there and learn more about what other institutions are doing, I can bring some of those best practices back to our university, for our students’ benefit,” said Bello.
Bello, who also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SBU, said her particular role in the Office of the Registrar “is all about setting up training sessions for people to share so we can all improve our services to students.” Bello’s specific responsibilities include developing and coordinating professional workshops, as well as organizing MSACROA’s annual meeting program sessions, presentations and workshops, all relating to professional development.
Over the years, she’s also played leadership roles in national organizations and higher education groups such as the Committee of Academic Standing and Appeals, People Soft Student Record Product Advisory Group, State University of New York Registrars Association, and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
“Diane’s outreach and involvement, both inside and outside SBU, is a perfect example of the type of leadership we’re seeking, and finding, in areas across the university,” said Dawn Medley, vice provost for Enrollment Management and Retention. “The way she’s representing Stony Brook University and putting our name out there is helping us, it’s helping the rest of our industry, and it’s reinforcing our role as a flagship and educational leader in New York State. I couldn’t be prouder.”
— Ellen Cooke
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