Over the last several years my involvement with NACADA has increased both within our region and with NACADA at large.  I have increased my involvement as I have realized that collaboration with other Student Success professionals is the key factor in developing new exciting ideas which benefits all parties involved, most importantly students.

Presently I am a Region 8 steering committee member and have also Chair, the 2008 Regional Conference held in Vancouver, BC

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?

I believe it is important to continue building on the growth developed by the previous Chairs of the region. I have highlighted some key initiatives I hope to achieve below:

1. To increase NACADA membership within the region.
2. To increase the diversity of membership within NACADA.
3. To continue improving communication channels in the region.
4. To increase the opportunity for professional development for all members in the region.
5. To develop plans to bring a National Conference to Region 8.
   

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

In reflecting on why I want to be Region 8's leader, I realized it is the best way to give back to the Region and NACADA as an organization. I have been afforded many opportunities through my involvement with NACADA and I think applying what I have learned through being Region chair is the best way to thank NACADA.

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. 

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 6 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

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

• Member-at-Large, Northwest Region Steering Committee
• President, British Columbia Academic Advising Association, 2008-2009
• Chair, 2008 Region 8 Conference, "Border Crossings: Advising Checkpoints from Pre-enrolment to Graduation" National Academic Advising Association Regional Conference, Vancouver, BC, March 2008
  
• Presenter, May 2007 "Forensic advising: Discovering the Clues for Student Retention", presented at the 3rd Annual Personal Tutoring and Academic Advising Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland 

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

•   Member-at-Large, NACADA Globalization Committee, 2009

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Chair, Canada Interest Group, 2008-present
• Current Member: Advising Administration Commission, Advisor Training & Development Commission, Canada Interest Group, Probation/Dismissal/Reinstatement Issues Interest Group

Other:

• Presentations:
  
  • Panelist, To be aired on February 4th, 2010 "Reaching and Retaining Students: Advising Students on Academic Probation" National Academic Advising Association
  • Co-presenter, "Advising as Teaching and Learning: Best Practices, Tools, and Tips", NACADA Annual Conference, San Antonio, Texas, October 2009
  • Keynote Speaker, Saskatchewan Academic Advising Inaugural Conference, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, June 2009
  • Invited Speaker, "Forensic Advising: Solving the Mystery of Developing a Successful Probationary Student Program", presented at the British Columbia Academic Advising Association Annual Conference, New Westminster, BC, May 2009
  • Invited Speaker, "Helping Management Understand the Value of Advising", presented at the British Columbia Academic Advising Association Annual Conference, Prince George, BC, April 2008
  • Presenter, "Forensic advising: Discovering the Clues for Student Retention" Presenting at The 3rd Annual Personal Tutoring and Academic Advising Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2007
    
  • Invited speaker, "Forensic advising: Discovering the Clues for Student Retention" Presented at the British Columbia Academic Advising Association Annual Conference Kamloops, BC, April 2006
     

• Publications:

  • Francis, D. & Johnson, N. December 2008 "Grounding the Helicopters: Moving Toward Proactive Partnering for Student Success" Academic Advising Today (Online Journal)
  • Francis, D.  December 2006 "Advisors' Role in Enrolment Management" Academic Advising Today (Online Journal)
  • Francis, D.  February 2006 "Advising against pop-culture" Academic Advising Today (Online Journal)
  • Francis, D. and Toews, L. 2002 "The Increased Use of Technology and its Impact on Educational Advising" Conference Proceedings of The 3rd International Conference on Information Communication Technologies in Education, The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens