As a member of the Region IV Steering Committee, I co-authored a proposal to create travel grants for region members, I participated in the selection of region advising awards and graduate student scholarships, and I assisted in creating the region budget and participated in spending decisions.  I am providing assistance to the 2010 and 2011 region conference chairs to continue a pattern of profit.

I chaired the region conference three times (and loved every minute).  As such, I was responsible for creating and adhering to the budget, securing the venue, selecting pre-conferences, proposals and programs, identifying NBCC credit, seeking exhibitors, hotel, and speakers, approving meals, generating publicity, overseeing on-site registration and other conference logistics.  I had a wonderful team of colleagues that were just as excited as I was to host the region conference on the MSU campus.    

As the State Representative, I promoted the region advising awards program to state constituents by presenting a concurrent session on creating award-winning packets.  Through the state listserv and the web site, I created a state-wide presence and awareness of the resources available through Region IV and NACADA.  Several Mississippi advisors have attended the Summer Institute and the national conference after receiving one of my emails.

I was determined to see the pilot Advising Research Symposium succeed in Region IV.  With a lot of publicity and the hard work and leadership of the presenters, the Symposium was a success.  Other regions are now duplicating our efforts. Like the region conference, I handled the logistics and secured donations to keep costs at a minimal.

As the representative, I set a goal to advance and promote advising and the advisors in Mississippi.  I reconvened the annual Mississippi Advisors Meeting (MAM) in 2007 by calling many state colleagues and asking them to make presentations and by promoting the event via the web site and emails. I am excited to report that attendance topped 100+ each year. The state meeting is successfully being rotated among the institutions in  now. I instituted a Best of MAM award for the presenter with the top evaluation marks. The winner receives the registration fees and a spot on program at the next Region IV Conference.   

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?

1. Addressing the advising needs of higher education and educating decision makers about the role of quality advising in higher education:  The economic situation will continue to affect travel and access to professional development events.  One of my goals will be to work with the steering committee and the states to generate ideas and develop new avenues to provide members with resources and access to professional development events. Webcasts, video streaming, and the use of the Consultants and Speakers Service are two paths to explore.  Promoting our organization during this economic crisis will be critical to the success of our members and their advising units.
2. Advance the body of knowledge of advising:  I will support and work to continue hosting an annual Research Symposium in the Region.  I will seek funding to provide research grants to build a community of scholars and to promote the research being conducting within our region.
3. Increase regional membership: As a state representative, I reinstated the annual state meetings and increased participation in this event each year.  I will work hard to bring this success to the region level and to increase the visibility of NACADA and its resources to the region.
4. Ensure the effectiveness of the NACADA organization:  I will create a partner program at the region conferences to pair new attendees with seasoned members to discuss the resources available within  NACADA. I will continue to promote Region IV's Emerging Leaders and the Graduate Student Scholarship programs and will continue to look for additional paths to pursue to promote our underrepresented populations.  
   

To support all elements of the strategic plan, I have created additional goals:  

1. Provide stipends for region advising awards and increase the visibility of the program and the winners.
2. Create an Operating Manual for new state representatives (for a consistent and smooth transition.
3. Create a Best of State presenter award program similar to Mississippi’s Best of MAM and Best of  Region programs at other state meetings in the region.
4. Produce a quarterly region newsletter.
5. Review the need to form interest groups at the regional level to foster participation in the national commissions and interest groups.
6. Explore poster sessions as an addition to region conferences.

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

My first experience in NACADA was at the 1992 Region IV Conference in Alabama.  I remember the welcome I received from many members that are still active today. These members made themselves available to me and supported me in countless ways.  NACADA's resources, including our own region leaders in the association, have helped me create successful programs and activities in my unit and on my campus. The network community at the region level is what will grow and advance our organization and the advising profession.

 
I want all members in the region to feel that their experiences and friendships through NACADA are invaluable and that NACADA is a place where advisors and advising programs can grow.  Involving members in NACADA activities at the state, region, and national levels is a primary goal for a Region Chair to help the organization achieve its strategic goals. My strengths include zeal and the ability to involve all in a common goal.  I am excited and honored to accept the nomination of Region IV Chair.

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. 

As state representative for MS, one of my goals was to increase the visibility, awareness of and attendance at NACADA activities.  The numbers increased, Mississippi advisors and their programs are receiving accolades, and the state is moving toward a state-wide organization. 

As a member of the region steering committee, I have seen how vital region work is to the future of NACADA and region members.  I plan to continue tapping the talent and resources of our region members to identify and meet the changing needs and challenges of advisors and to ensure our effectiveness as a region and as an organization.  Past region leaders and programs have proved countless times that new ideas developed in Region IV, such as the Research Symposium held in Mississippi this year, are innovative and provide excellent professional development opportunities for our region and the nation. 

The responsibilities of region chair include promoting the practice and quality of advising, supporting professional development of advisors, promoting membership, addressing regional issues, and promoting NACADA and our organization's resources.  My campus and state colleagues can attest to my ability to champion the role of advising. I will employ the same ferocity as Region IV Chair that I did as State Representative. I am confident that my experiences at the state and region levels have prepared me to lead Region IV.  I bring experience, energy, and enthusiasm to the position.  It would be an honor to serve you.

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 12 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

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

• Region IV Steering Committee, 2007 - present.  Introduced and co-wrote proposal on travel grants for region members (being reviewed this fall); chaired three region conferences, and increased state participation and membership in the Region.
• Pilot Advising Research Symposium Chair, 2009.  Responsible for budget, venue, hotel, publicity, meals, on-site registration, and other symposium logistics.
• Mississippi Advisors Meeting (MAM) Chair, 2007, 2008 and directed 2009 meeting.  Responsible for budget, venue, proposals and programs, donations, meals, speakers, publicity, registration and other conference logistics.  
• Region IV Conference Chair, 1993, 1997, and 2009.  Secured exhibitors and donations to reduce registration costs and generated a profit for the region.  To celebrate 25 years in the region, a region T-shirt was given to all attendees at no additional cost in 2009.

• Mississippi State Representative, 1992-1998 and 2007- present.  Created state web site and listserv (500+), reconvened and chaired the annual state meeting, increased membership and attendance at conferences of state advisors (Mississippi attendance increased over 200% from the 2007 to the 2008 region meeting), promoted region advising awards and scholarship programs to state constituents, and created a state-wide presence and awareness of resources available through Region IV and NACADA.
• Region IV Outstanding Advisor Award, 2008 
• Attended 11 Region IV conferences

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Member, NACADA Member Career Services Committee, 2009-2011
• Chair, NACADA 2010 Annual Conference Exhibits
• Member, NACADA 2010 Annual Conference Committee
• Past Member, NACADA Awards Committee
  
• Past Member, NACADA Membership Committee
  

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current Member: Advisor Training and Development, High School to College Advising, Peer Advising and Mentoring, Advising First-Year Student

• Previous Member: Advising First-Year Students, Engineering and Science Advising, Advising Administration, Advising Business Majors, Assessment of Advising, Technology in Advising
  

Other:

• NACADA Outstanding Advisor Award, 2008

• NACADA Certificate of Merit, Electronic Publication, 2003

• NACADA Summer Institute
  
• Attended 12 NACADA Conferences
• Volunteered at numerous regional and national conferences.
  
• Mississippi State University activities:
  • Mississippi State University (MSU) Irvin Atly Jefcoat Advising Award, 2008
• Instrumental in securing Charlie Nutt, Executive Director, to present at Advising is Teaching at MSU, 2008
• Co-writer and Campus Editor for MSU Advising Awards Program; 1993-1998 and 2007-present
• MSU Academic Advising Board, 1992-1998, renamed Advising Task Force, 2006- present
• Guest speaker at campus Brown Bag Luncheon series on advising topics, 2009
• Present at How to Be A Master Student in the Freshmen Year to state high schools as a part of the MSU
• Bettersworth Lecture series, 2005 - present
• Present annual Faculty Advisor Workshop in the College of Forest Resources
  
• Presentations at national, regional, state, and MSU include: advisor development annual workshop, use of peer-advisors, students at risk, retention, business majors and creating award winning advisor nomination packets.