David Spight
	University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX
	Platform Statement: Highlight the goals you accomplished and the work you did while serving as a Unit Chair within this Division.

As chair of CUES, I tried to improve the applicability of program session topics by soliciting members to present topics based upon member feedback (using CUEs Cards and list serve) and then selecting Commission Sponsored programs for the annual conferences based upon those topics of most interest to the members of the Commission. I also provided possible topics of discussion for the CUES list serve, responded to questions and requests from members through the list serve, and encouraged additional discussion. I presented the HOT TOPIC: Undecided/Exploratory Students sessions at 2007 and 2008 NACADA Annual Conferences, but had attendees determine the topics that would be discussed at those sessions. And, based on advisor feedback, I submitted a possible survey on Advisor Training for advisors working with undecided/exploratory students.

Another important goal for me as chair was to help inform advisors about resources and relevant research regarding undecided students and the process of advising those students. As a result, I solicited links to online major/career exploratory course syllabi; facilitated Commission meetings at the 2007 and 2008 NACADA Annual Conferences; and solicited members to read recent research and contribute to the CUES annotated bibliography. Additionally, I contributed information and text for Virginia Gordon's (2007) third edition of The Undecided Student: An academic and career advising challenge. I also tried to summarize research on various topics impacting undecided students by writing articles for the Academic Advising Today, including an article titled "Undecided/Exploratory Students and Persistence" (V31, No.4) and another titled "The Impact of Policies and Environments on Undecided Students" (V30, No.4).

Additionally, I tried to diversify involvement in the Commission by selecting proposal readers from multiple institutional sizes and types, as well as geographical locations, to improve variety of sessions and applicability of sessions.

What do you believe are the Division's most important goals and initiatives in meeting the strategic plan for both the Division and the Association? How do you feel you can be of benefit to the NACADA Council in meeting the Association's strategic plan and initiatives?

The Commission and Interest Group Division, at its heart, is all about connections. These connections are based on interest, experience, role on campus, type of institution, etc. I believe that as a representative for the Division it would be important to focus on improving the connections. More specifically, there needs to be a more formalized way for the various commissions and interest groups to collaborate on programs and ideas. Additionally, we need to improve the continuity of the groups by providing a more formalized process of transitioning from one chair to the next. I also believe we can do more to support initiatives that the other divisions are undertaking, such as doing more with the regional conferences.

As a division steering committee member, I have had the chance to be a resource and sounding board for incoming commission and interest group chairs. As president of the University of Texas at Austin's Academic Counseling Association, I had to represent and advocate for advisors across campus. As a division representative, I will continue to work as an advocate for ideas and concerns that chairs express as important to the success of the Division and the Association.

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

I found my time as chair of CUES very rewarding and appreciate that which I gained from the members of the commission and from the other chairs in the division. I am already enjoying the chance to help new chairs as a division steering committee member, and find I have a strong desire to continue to serve as a resource and an advocate for others in the organization, and believe that this position would provide additional opportunities to do so. I also feel that as we gain something from NACADA, we should then get involved and give back.

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. 

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 8 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved

• Chair, Commission on Undecided/Exploratory Students (2006-2008)
  • submitted survey to assess the training provided for advisors who advise undecided students;
  • solicited members feedback (using CUEs Cards) and then selected Commission Sponsored programs for the annual conferences based upon those topics of most interest to the members of the Commission;
  • solicited members to read recent research and contribute to the CUES annotated bibliography;
  • piloted new format for submitting post-conference and mid-year commission chair reports.

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

• Co-Presenter, 2007 Region 7 Conference, "Getting involved in Commissions and Interest Groups"
• Presenter, 2003, Colorado/Wyoming Advising Conference, "The ABC's of Advising Undecided Students"

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Member, Professional Development Committee (PDC), 2005-2007 - served on the PDC Seasoned Advisors Survey sub-committee.

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Member, Commission and Interest Group Division Steering Committee (2008-present)
• Member, Web Site Review sub-committee, Commission on Undecided and Exploratory Students (CUES), 2004-2005
  • Assisted with development of the annotated bibliography for the Web site
• Current member: Commission on Undecided and Exploratory Students (2001-present), Advisor Training and Development Commission, Assessment of Advising Commission, Large Universities Interest Group

Other:

• NACADA activities:
  • Reviewed Chapters for Upcoming 2009 NACADA Monograph regarding Career Advising.
  • Reviewed Chapters for 2008 NACADA Monograph, "Advising Special Populations: Adult Learners, Community College Students, LGBTQ Students, Multicultural Students, Students on Probation, Undecided Students.
  • Presenter, 2008 NACADA Annual Conference, "Undecided versus Decided: An examination of recent research"
  • Participant in numerous NACADA webinars, 2007, 2008
  • Presenter, 2006 NACADA Annual Conference, "Let's Play MACAO!"
  • Wrote NACADA Academic Advising Today article called "How riding the bus led to rolling the dice in Vegas" (V29, No.3)
  • Presenter, 2005 NACADA Annual Conference, "They can't win if you don't play: Why undecided students need advisors who gamble."
  • Wrote NACADA Journal article called "The Pros and Cons of Solution-Focused Advising with the Undecided Student: A reply to Mayhall and Burg" (V25, No.1)
  • Attended the 2002 NACADA Summer Institute.
• Creator, MACAO (Maximizing ACademic Advising Outcomes) Dice Game
• Created "Choosing a major student workbook" and shared with CUES members based upon requests from list serve.
• The University of Texas at Austin activities
  • Chair, Assessment of Academic Advising Committee, 2008-present
  • Member, Provost Council of Academic Advising (PCAA), 2007-present
  • Member, PCAA sub-committee on Advisor titles, 2007-present
  • Advisory Council member/Past-President, Academic Counselors Association (ACA), 2008-present
  • President, ACA, 2007-2008
  • President-Elect, ACA, 2006-2007
  • Public Relations Chair, 2005-2006
  • Member, ACA Advising Expo Committee, 2005, 2006
  • Member, ACA, 2004-present