I am in the second year of my two-year term as Chair of the Advising Students with Disabilities Commission. Most of my efforts to date have been serving as the co-editor for the revised monograph on Advising Students with Disabilities. This 18-month-long project allowed me to work with contributing writers from throughout the country as well as with the professionals on the NACADA publications and editorial staff. The publication was a collaborative effort with the Association for Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), breaking new ground for NACADA in joint efforts with other national associations.

I was introduced to NACADA during an academic advising internship while in graduate school. Since becoming a member more than five years ago, I have attended three national conferences and completed my graduate certification in academic advising. The benefit I have derived from NACADA far exceeds my years of membership. I am committed to the core mission of the organization, and I hope to bring this commitment to others through work within the NACADA leadership.

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?

There are two goals that are particularly important from my vantage point. The first is to continue to advance the body of knowledge of academic advising within higher education. Small colleges and universities typically do not have the resources found at larger institutions. Many smaller institutions have faculty or decentralized advising models, which brings unique challenges and opportunities for advisors. Understanding how to do more with less while continuing to promote academic advising will call for creativity by advising leaders at smaller institutions.

The second goal -- to promote diversity -- is equally important. As indicated through past commission work and through NACADA, diversity is not limited to racial or cultural differences. Small colleges and universities by their very nature offer diversity through their approach to advising.

Recognizing this and promoting best practices will allow the Small Colleges and Universities Commission to affirm NACADA'S commitment to diversity.

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

I have been incredibly honored to serve as the Chair of the Advising Students with Disabilities Commission. I would welcome the opportunity to continue to be a part of the NACADA leadership through the Small Colleges and Universities Commission. As Director of Academic Support for my institution, I wear many hats: supervise the tutoring center and its professional and peer tutors; oversee and train academic success peer tutors; work with students with disabilities by certifying documentation and determining academic accommodations; teach first-year seminar; develop academic support workshops; provide probation programming; and advise students. I understand and appreciate the role of the academic advisor on a small campus, and I believe I can bring my creativity and energy into the leadership position.

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 work diligently to keep myself current on matters related to the profession of advising. There are many challenges as well as opportunities available to advisors working at small colleges and universities. The current economic situation has impacted my institutions greatly, with significant cuts to services and personnel. Continuing to make a valuable contribution to the organization is critical. At no time has working with colleagues from other institutions been as important as it is now. One way to do more with less is to learn from one another and to share our successes.

It would be an honor and privilege to serve as chair of this commission.

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 5 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

• Chair, Advising Students with Disabilities Commission (2008-2010)

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

•  Attended 2008 Region 1 Conference, Portland, ME

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Co-editor, Monograph (2nd Ed.), Striving for Universal Success: Advising Students with Disabilities (2009)

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Chair, Advising Students with Disabilities Commission (2008-2010)
• Current Member: Small Colleges and Universities Commission, Advising Students with Disabilities Commission, Probation/Dismissal/Reinstatement Issues Interest Group, Advising First-Year Students Interest Group

Other:

• Presenter, NACADA Annual Conference, 2009
  
• Presenter, Association for Higher Education and Disability Annual Conference, 2009
  
• Academic Advising Today article: What Advisors Need to Know about the ADA Amendments Act, 2009
• Attendee, NACADA Annual Conferences, 2009, 2008, 2006
  
• NACADA Graduate Certificate in Academic Advising, 2007
  
• Foundations of Excellence, Steering Committee, Framingham State College, 2008
  
• First-Year Seminar Program, Steering Committee and Instructor, Framingham State College (2006-present)