I became involved with NACADA as a presenter at the Annual Conference 2009. It was also at this annual conference that I became a member of the Distance Education Advising Commission. I volunteered to lead a new subcommittee within the Distance Education Advising Commission - Subcommittee for Research on Academic Advising in Online and Blended Education. The members of the Distance Education Advising Commission are all actively engaged within their campuses across the United States. This provides many opportunities for collaborative research on best practices and the development of new frameworks for academic advising within online and blended education. The subcommittees represent critical areas across distance education and there are many opportunities to share information within the Distance Education Advising Commission and with NACADA members.

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 higher education landscape is changing as a result of national economic and demographic shifts. Over past five years, there have been increases in non-traditional student enrollments and exponential growth in online education. As a result, it is important that national organizations, such as NACADA, continue to provide new initiatives, programs, research, conferences, training, and publications that assist colleges and universities fulfill their missions.

The Distance Education Advising Commission has an essential role in assisting NACADA fulfill its vision and mission statements as well as the strategic plan for the unit and the Association. In reviewing the strategic plan, I believe the most important goal for the Distance Education Advising Commission is to innovatively and collaboratively develop strategies to meet each of the five goals listed under the mission statement as they relate to online and blended programs. Goal 3 under the mission statement, in particular, is to "Anticipate the academic advising needs of twenty-first century students, advisors and institutions." Therefore, the Distance Education Advising Commission should lead this effort of through its work in the area of distance education which consequently support Goals 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the mission statement and the strategic plan. Through collaboration, there exist many opportunities for discussion forums, presentations, and publications on  best practices and the development of new frameworks for academic advising within online and blended education. The work lead by the Distance Education Advising Commission will assist NACADA in being "the acknowledged leader within the global education community for the theory, delivery, application and advancement of academic advising to enhance student development."

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

I am interested in serving as the Chair of the Distance Education Advising Commission because academic advising is essential to online student engagement and retention. I have been in higher education for over 15 years and most of my research has focused on developing innovative strategies to personalize distance education and finding ways to bring the campus and student services to students globally. The Distance Education Advising Commission has wonderful leadership and  engaged members. Therefore, I am also interested in this leadership position because the Distance Education Advising Commission has the opportunity to continue building upon its strong foundation and truly make positive contributions to the field of distance education, student engagement, and retention through its focus on academic advising.

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 have been involved in higher education and online education for 15 years. I feel very fortunate because I thoroughly enjoy my position as an Associate Clinical Professor, researcher, and Coordinator of Student Engagement and Faculty Development Initiatives in the Higher Education Program at Drexel University. Drexel is an amazing institution to work for and provides many opportunities to lead innovative online initiatives. I am actively involved within Drexel University's School of Education and I am currently working with the academic advisors to have them present at several conferences in 2010 and to collaboratively publish within the area of advising since the majority of our advisors work with online programs. I am also encouraging our academic advisors to join several of the NACADA Commissions, particularly the Distance Education Advising Commission :) It would be an honor to serve as the NACADA Chair of the Distance Education Advising Commission.

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 1 year

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: Distance Education Advising Commission, Two-Year Colleges Commission, Technology in Advising Commission 
• Chair for new subcommittee: Research on Academic Advising in Online and Blended Education, Distance Education Advising Commission

Other:

• Keynote and invited speaker at 10 national/international conferences in past two years - focus on student engagement and retention in online and blended education.
  
• Presented at 12 refereed national/international conferences in the past two years - focusing on student engagement/retention, student services, faculty/advising development/training for online and blended education programs.
  
• Published 13 articles in the past two years focusing on student/faculty recruitment, engagement and retention in online and blended education.
  
• Alumna of HERS - women's leadership and management development institute, 2009
  
• President of The George Washington University Alumni Association, 52-member board, 220,000 alumni worldwide, 2005
  
• Member, Board of Trustees, The George Washington University, 2003