Don Sebera, Ohio University, Athens, OH

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 3 years
Regional Activities/Offices Held, including accomplishments achieved while in office:
National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:
Committee Activities and Accomplishments:
Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments: Member, Adult Learners Commission and Advisor Training and Development Commission. Attended Adult Learner Commission meetings at Ottawa and Salt Lake City conferences.
Other: Presenter at NACADA National Conference in Salt Lake City. Attended three of last four National Conferences and 2001 Great Lakes Regional Conference.

I have worked with adult learners for seven years, both as an on-campus advisor and in my current position as an advisor to students in a distance education program.  While adult learners are faced with a unique set of challenges because of commitments outside of their educational pursuits, the challenge of learning at a distance presents numerous advising issues that make effective communication even more integral to the student's success.

I believe that effective communication, while vital to our role in promoting adult learner success, is just as vital in advancing our development as professional advisors.  I feel it is imperative that we maintain open lines of communication so that we may draw upon the knowledge, skills, and experiences of our more experienced advisors, while also benefiting from the new ideas and energy brought to the profession by advisors who are new to the field.

I am confidant that through a continuous exchange of ideas--electronically through list serves and on-line newsletters, through printed materials, through phone conversations, and, most importantly and enjoyably, through face-to-face contacts at state, regional, and national conferences--we can continue to strengthen our commitment to ensuring that adult learners receive the very best advising services.