The Commission and Interest Group Division represents members with special advising areas of interest.  These groups provide a professional identity with others experiencing similar issues and situations.  Commissions are charged with proposing and facilitating activities and publications to advance the professional development of members - focusing on the specific area of the Commission. Interest Groups are created to allow for informal gatherings of special populations or interests to meet at the national conference.

NACADA members can choose membership in any combination of commissions and IGs up to a total of four (4) selections. These official designations identify those commissions and/or interest groups with which they will have voting privileges, receive periodic electronic newsletters and updates, and be eligible to hold an elected or appointed position within, such as serving on a committee or serving as chair. Please note that you can informally be involved with as many other commissions or IGs as you like, such as subscribing to list serves, attending meetings, etc. Members may change affiliations at any time from various commissions or interest groups. Annual commission and IG meetings are held at the National Conference, but sometimes overlap, so members may have to choose one or two major commission or IG meetings to attend.

Commissions-Identify needed membership services focusing on the Commission, contribute to the development of approved resources for the members, offer professional development activities, contribute articles to the NACADA Newsletter, deliver Commission Newsletters regularly via the web, develop other professional development resources for persons in each Commission, focus the membership recruitment and retention efforts within the Commission, contribute to NACADA publications, and Chairs meet immediately prior to the National Conference each year. The Commissions shall set and maintain the criteria for designation and continuation as a NACADA Commission. Commissions allow NACADA members to become involved at a regional and national level, and provide resources to academic advisors who work with the variety of student populations on a variety of campus settings.

Interest Groups-Serve as networking groups for special interests and topics, meet during the annual national conference, and maintain other means of communications as desired by the group. Interest Groups also allow for involvement, but in a more informal manner. Interest Groups are created to allow for informal gatherings of special populations or interests at the national conference, but do not have the formal structure and responsibilities of a Commission.

Leadership-The elected Division Representative provides leadership for the Division, convenes meetings, appoints a person to take minutes, advises Chairs on activities, presents Division items to the Council, oversees the financial affairs of the Division by preparing Division Budget Request including recommendations on Chairs' request, and appoints and orients Chairs of new sub-units. The appointed Division Representative provides continuity of support as Elected Representatives transition and handles sub-unit organization and recognition processes. Both Division Representatives will share other responsibilities, including the gathering of post-conference and annual reports from sub-units, distribution of these reports to the Executive Office and Division Representatives, preparation of timely written Division reports to the Council and Board of Directors, and the review and updating of the Division Handbook, policies and procedures.

Division Steering Committee-The main focus of the steering committee is to facilitate a successful transition/orientation for new chairs, communicate regularly with its assigned chairs, monitor the progress of commissions/interest groups, and most importantly, steer the direction for the division. In summary the role of the steering committee is general assistance, communication, oversight and vision. The steering committee will consist of the two Division Representatives plus 3-5 other members who would be selected by the Division Representatives to serve  2-year staggered terms (e.g., not all appointed in the same year, thus not all leaving the steering committee at the same time). All members must have completed at least one full term as Commission or Interest Group chair.  The committee should have representation from both commissions and interest groups.

Division Liaisons to Regions—One member of the current or past leadership within the Commission and Interest Group Division will serve as a liaison to each of the NACADA regions. The liaison will represent the Division in regional matters, preferably being included in planning of events for the region. The liaison will participate by soliciting regional conference presentations, program selection, and networking with commission and interest group chairs to apprise them of regional activities. Liaisons will be appointed by the Division Representatives in consultation with the Division Steering Committee.