Melinda Anderson

College of William and Mary

It is with great enthusiasm that I throw my hat in the ring for the Virginia State Representative position in Region 2 for NACADA. Native Virginians and those who have come to adopt this great Commonwealth as home know that our higher education institutions are quite diverse. They are diverse in their missions, histories, and traditions but in that diversity lies our strength. I believe that I am uniquely qualified for this position as outlined below.

I have been a member of NACADA for 3 years and in this time I have had wonderful opportunities to become involved in various capacities to include roles at the national, regional and state level. If elected I will lead initiatives that are consistent with the mission and goals set forth at NACADA’s national level.

Vision for Virginia:

Create opportunities for advising professionals around the Commonwealth to share in best practices that will help to create more positive experiences for students.

Strategic Goals:

• Support a Virginia Drive In Conference on an annual basis
• Encourage current and aspiring advising professionals to contribute to advising research and practices for NACADA
• Direct opportunities to connect with current and aspiring advising professionals across Virginia that are economically friendly
• Evaluate Virginia’s progress and update its members on a regular basis

They say, “Virginia is for Lovers” and I would have to agree! Being born and raised in Virginia I have a deep love and respect for our great Commonwealth. It would be an honor to serve as Virginia’s representative and I will work diligently to support our collective interests across the state as well as to NACADA’s leadership at the regional and national level.

Membership in NACADA: 3 years

National Involvement:

• Member of Member Services Committee – 2012 to Present
• Member of Diversity Committee – 2011 to Present
• Emerging Leaders Program Class 2011-13
• Commission and Interest Group Memberships:  Multicultural Concerns, Advising Second Year Students, Liberal Arts Advisors, Faculty Advising

Regional Involvements:

• Served a Co-Chair for Hospitality Committee for Regional 2 Conference 2011
• Planned and executed hospitality events for Regional 2 Conference
• Proposal Reader for Regional 2 Conference 2012

State Involvements:

• Co-Chair for State Conference Drive-In 2012

Institutional Involvements:

• Academic Support Group
• Group of Academic Support Providers

Heather Patterson

James Madison University

Becoming involved with NACADA, I felt like I found a professional home in Region 2.  Our community is a rejuvenating and motiving professional network that increases the level of dialogue and commitment to excellence in advising; I am proud to be a part of it.  I want to help others become involved with our community.  This is what compelled me to run for the Virginia Liaison.

Virginia has unique needs to strengthen its connection to the Region because of its size.  After conversations with colleagues, including the outgoing Virginia Liaison (Ms. JoAnn), I have identified three areas that create the platform for my candidacy:

Updating the Drive-In Model.  With the large size of our state, a “drive-in” conference can still require an overnight stay for many of us.  For large states, I believe we can collectively consider new models and I want to lead us in exploring those alternatives.  I believe we can still make professional development and networking opportunities accessible to fit within lives.  One idea is to have one day where two or three locations across the state are simultaneously hosting drive-in conferences, called VAdvising Day.  Another idea is to create webinars or organize group video conversations around specific advising topics throughout the year.  As the Virginia Liaison, I would solicit and be completely open to your ideas for new models, too.

Recruitment of New Members.  As emphasized by our Region giving Community College Advisors and Faculty Advisors a free, one-year membership to NACADA, I would like to identify and personally reach out to Virginia constituents who are not currently involved in the organization

Connecting Through Social Media.  In addition to creating social media networks for Virginia NACADA members through LinkedIn and Facebook, I would also work to encourage and identify Virginia members to contribute to the NACADA Region 2 Blog and other NACADA Blogs.  Last year my presentation, Connecting with Students Utilizing an Advising Syllabus and Blog, resonated with many of you; I know we can adapt similar strategies for virtually connecting and increasing representation of Virginia and Region 2 throughout NACADA.

If chosen as the Virginia Liaison, I will work diligently towards these goals.  Whether selected or not, I am looking forward to collaborating and learning with each of you as we grow together in this community.

Cynthia Pascal

Northern Virginia

Community College

Hello Region 2,

My name is Cynthia Pascal and I am the Coordinator of Academic Advising and Retention at Northern Virginia Community College.  I have been a member of NACADA for 7 glorious years now and you may have seen me (and my big hair) at various regional and national conferences. Currently, I am NACADA’s New Advising Professionals Interest Group Chair, an Emerging Leader, a member of numerous committees, and a superb Justin Bieber impersonator.   

 I want to continue to share my strengths, skills, and sense of humor by becoming Region 2’s Virginia State Liaison. In doing so, I hope to raise the profile of Virginia both regionally and nationally by putting a face to our state and personalizing our connections. Through my experience and established network, I hope to lead Virginia and the next generation of NACADA leaders into the future, making sure each and every member in our state has an advocate at the state, regional, and national level.