Janis Williams, Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 3 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

Regional Activities/Offices Held, including accomplishments achieved while in office:

• Presenter at Great Lakes Regional conference in Toronto, 2005 ("Transfer Students: the Small Colleges Lost Souls" and "Academic and Fanculty Advisors Working Together: A Conversation"
• Attended Great Lakes Regional conference in Madison, WI, 2004

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current member: Small Colleges and Universities Commission, Advising Transfer Students Commission, Commission on Undecided and Exploratory Students, and Liberal Arts Advisors Commission

Other:

• NACADA Summer Institute participant, 2002
• Presenter at 2004 NACADA National Conference, Cincinnati, OH — "Transfer Students: the Small College's Lost Souls"
• Presenter at 2005 NACADA National Conference, Las Vegas, NV — "Academic and Faculty Advisors Working Together: A Winning Combination" and "Improving the Odds: Strengthening Advising Services for New Transfer Students"

Platform Statement:

• Highlight your involvement in this unit that will help you in leading this unit. What roles have you played in this unit thus far?

 I have gone to the meetings at the National Conference the past two years. I have contributed ideas as to what I see as important issues for small college and univerisity advising. I have geared regional and national presentations toward meeting the needs of small college andf university advising issues.

• What do you believe are the most important goals and initiatives for this unit in meeting the strategic plan for both the unit and the Association?

I see a need for opportunity at local, regional, state and national levels to facilitate discussion for small colleges and universities. The common request is to have a forum for discussion available to this relatively small group. I believe there is a need to put out the call for quality, timely proposals and papers geared toward small colleges and universities.

• Why are you interested in serving in this leadership position or what influenced you to run for this leadership position?  

I see the need for expanded development of discussion, programming, articles and networking for small college and university advising issues, and feel I could be instrumental in furthering these causes.

• Provide any additional comments or information regarding your past experiences and qualifications that relate to your candidacy for this leadership position.  

While I am relatively new to the advising profession, I am not new to small colleges and universities. I have worked at Elmhurst for 13+ years, so I am very in tune to the specific needs as well as many of the things that work and don't work at small colleges. I have a vested interest in small college life.