The Marketing and Communication Office will be profiling Saint Mary’s University leaders regularly in the Cardinal Update. Our goal is to showcase those overseeing and guiding key areas important to our strategic initiatives. This week, we feature Alison Block, director of academic records and systems.
Alison Block, director of academic records and systems
Name: Alison Block
Title: Director of academic records and systems
How long have you worked at Saint Mary’s?
I have worked at Saint Mary’s for 18 years in student services. In 2004, I began working in the financial aid department. I became the director of student services in 2009, the associate registrar in 2014, and the director of academic records and systems in 2021.
How would you describe your role at Saint Mary’s?
My role is to provide leadership and oversight of academic records, academic policy, and procedures related to academic records, academic schedule, and student registration for the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs (SGPP). I work with an amazing team to make all that happen! We do this by partnering, educating, and serving the members of our community with patience and generosity. We adapt quickly to the changing needs of our students, faculty, and staff.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I enjoy every part of my job! Every day is different and provides opportunities for learning and engagement with the community. Our community’s dedication and commitment to students inspires me every day.
What are your hopes for the future of Saint Mary’s?
My hope is that we continue to think creatively to solve the challenges we face as an institution, while keeping the traditional and adult students at the heart of those solutions.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
I have had many experiences that support our mission. I am proud of the work I have done meeting students and working together to remove barriers to their graduation. As the director of student services, I changed our service model to work with the students holistically by creating our one-stop Student Central. As the associate registrar, we established a registrar’s office, centralizing registrar functions and collaborating with our academic programs on processes and policies to support their work.
My most meaningful experience was being the recipient of the Lasallian Educator Award in 2017. It was an honor to be recognized by the community for my contribution to the Lasallian mission.
Looking at the “Declaration on the Lasallian Educational Mission,” which of the 12 declarations resonates with you the most? Why?
Today, Declaration 11: “We believe that today’s realities demand taking risks and being creative” resonates the most with me. In these challenging times, we have to be able to look at what our students need today and in the future. The solutions to meeting those future needs will require us to think creatively and be comfortable taking risks. Our future depends on it.