Susan Campbell, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 12 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

• Current Member, Board of Directors (2005-2008)
• Region Chair, Northeast Region I (2003-2005)
• Chair, Advising Administration Commission (2001-2002) - initiated
  Service to Commission Award for this commission; initiated web-based
  newsletter.

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

• Member, Northeast Region I Executive Committee (2002-present)
• Conference Chair, Northeast Region 1 (2003)
• Have also served as Evaluation Chair and Site Chair for Northeast Region 1 conferences

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Chair, Assessment Institute Advisory Board (2005-present)
• Co-author of Guide to Assessment in Academic Advising
• Chair, Advising Administrators' Institute Advisory Board (2002-2005)
• Member, Assessment Seminar/Institute Curriculum Committee (2003-present)
• Member, Professional Development Committee (2002-present)
• Member, Academic Advising Summer Institute Advisory Board (2002-2005)
• Member, Awards Committee (2002-2004)

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Co-Chair, Peer Advising Interest Group (2003-present)
• Co-Editor, Peer Advising Monograph (2005)
• Current member, Advising Administration Commission, Assessment of Advising Commission, Faculty Advising Commission
• Current member, Peer Advising & Mentoring Interest Group
   

Other:

• Facilitator and Presenter at the first three Advising Administrators' Institutes
• Faculty Member, Academic Advising Summer Institute (2002, 2003, 2004)
• Facilitator and Presenter at first Assessment Seminar (2003) and Assessment Institutes (2004, 2005)
• Chair, University of Maine System Academic Advising Summit Planning Committee (2004)
• Presentations at both regional and national NACADA conferences  

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? 

A few years ago, I was asked to chair the advisory board for the new Administrator's Institute. Working with some incredibly talented NACADA colleagues, and guided by the Executive office, we put together a program that was outcomes-based and, in the end, successful enough to be continued by the Association.  The next year, we added a shorter seminar on assessment to this Institute-- which emerged the next year to become an  institute in and of its own right.  In addition, the framework that the faculty of the Assessment Institute developed is now in a format that is more readily available to the membership and, I think,is really making assessment more accessible and less formidable a process.

I am very proud of my own involvement in these initiatives, as well as all the other NACADA activities in which I have been involved. However,I am also very clear and cognizant of the fact that these particular activities and, indeed, the goals of the organization in general, could not be accomplished without the involvement of many NACADA members. I think the experience I have in getting others involved and engaged in the work of NACADA would serve me well in this position.  

• 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?

The phenomenal growth in NACADA's membership, particularly over the past 5 years, is indicative of the important role this association does, can, and should play in the lives of those who work in the field of academic advising.  The growth in membership, I believe, reflects a heightened institutional awareness that academic advising, when done well, significantly contributes to student engagement, to student satisfaction, and to student learning success.  The membership growth is also indicative of the extent to which NACADA is solidifying its place within the national higher education context.  In this regard, the efforts to align NACADA's work with the work of organizations such as AAC&U, NASPA, the National Resource Center, as well as regional and specialized accrediting associations, are extremely important ones to support and continue.

As the membership expands, it is also critical for NACADA to continually reflect on the profile of its membership to ensure that the needs of all members are addressed through the association's activities and, in particular, its professional development initiatives.  The efforts of the Professional Developmental to frame a cohesive and comprehensive regional and national professional development plan is, in my opinion, essential to ensure the continued responsiveness of the association to its members.

My goals for NACADA include:

1. to continue to increase the regional and national visibility of NACADA within the higher education community.
2. to continue to promote the design of a comprehensive professional development plan that is responsive to all NACADA members.
3. to support the development of a "leadership ladder" within NACADA to encourage and promote member engagement in leadership positions within the association.

I believe continued work in these three areas will contribute to the overall sustainability of this important organization.

With regard to my own ability to contribute -- While I consider academic advising to be my 'first love', my experience within higher education has also focused on issues related to organizational and human development.  I think this experience would support my role and work as President of NACADA.

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

The reason I am interested in serving in this leadership position is simple -- I want to give back to NACADA. Specifically, I want to give back to NACADA in a way that will: 1) help support continued organizational growth; 2) facilitate the involvement of new members to help sustain growth in the Association's leadership; and, 3) support the design of an array of professional development activities for a membership that is quite diverse.

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

I have been extremely fortunate to work for a University that has been and continues to be very supportive of NACADA and my involvement; it is a University that has also provided me with an extraordinary number of opportunities to grow.  It has been, in many ways, the growth opportunities provided by my own University that have prepared me to assume this NACADA leadership position.

I am also incredibly grateful to NACADA and my NACADA colleagues who have contributed to my professional growth and development over the years -- and I would be most honored and humbled to serve as the Association's President.