LaDonna Bridges
	Framingham State College Framingham, MA
	Platform Statement: Highlight your previous involvement within this unit that will help you in leading this unit.  What roles have you played within this particular unit as a member thus far?

I have only been a member of NACADA for two years. I was introduced to the organization during an academic advising internship while in graduate school. Since becoming a member, I have attended a national conference and completed my graduate certification in academic advising. The benefit derived from NACADA far exceeds my years of membership.

Although I am new to higher education, I am not new to involvement with professional organizations. Having spent 15 years in health care marketing and business development, I fully appreciate the value derived by association with fellow professionals in a field. The opportunity to learn from and grow with colleagues from across the country is immeasurable. I look forward to many years of active involvement with NACADA.

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? 

There are two goals which are particularly important from my vantage point. The first is to continue to address the academic advising needs in higher education. The number of students who are arriving in college with disabilities continues to climb. Advisors play a pivotal role in the success of these students. Efforts to bridge the interaction between the Disability Services Office and the work of the academic advisor should be a priority. Increasing the awareness and usage of the listserv is an important vehicle to accomplish this. I consider the second goal -- to advance the body of knowledge of academic advising -- equally important. As indicated through past commission work, those who primarily advise and who may have limited disability knowledge and those who work directly with students with disabilities are two distinct audiences with distinct needs. The commission should seek to understand the advising needs of each of these groups and to find ways to meet those advising needs.

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

I was incredibly honored to be nominated for this position by a course instructor in the NACADA advising certification program. As Director of Academic Support for my institution, I work directly with students with disabilities by certifying documentation and determining academic accommodations. While this work requires advising skills, I am seldom the assigned academic advisor for these students. Yet I see firsthand the disconnect that can exist between the disability services providers and the academic advisors. Although course faculty get notifications of academic accommodations due to a disability, advisors seldom have access to this information. Given the importance of the academic advisor to the student's overall experience, an advisor's greater disability knowledge will ultimately serve the student. I am interested in facilitating this process through work with this commission.

Provide any additional comments or information (either personal or leadership-related) that you want potential voters to know about you that is not covered elsewhere in your platform information. 

I work diligently to keep myself current on disability-related issues and ongoing legal challenges that could impact the way in which services are delivered to students with disabilities. I am an active participant in the Boston Consortium for Disabilities in Higher Education and I am a member of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD). I have committed myself to working with faculty and staff on my own campus to improve disability awareness and the delivery of services to students. I would welcome the opportunity to work with my NACADA colleagues in this endeavor.

It would be an honor and privilege to serve as chair of this commission.

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:

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current Member — Advising Students with Disabilities Commission, Small Colleges & Universities Commission, Probation/Dismissal/Reinstatement Issues Interest Group, Advising First-Year Students Interest Group

Other:

• Completed NACADA Graduate Certificate in Academic Advising, 2007
• Presenter, NACADA National Conference, 2006