My name is Michael Broshears, and it is with great enthusiasm that I write to express my interest in the Indiana State Liaison position. I have been a member or Region 5 since 2004 and have enjoyed my region involvement within NACADA.

In the past three or four years, I have significantly increased my involvement within NACADA at the state and regional level. From March 2006 to October 2007, I served as the Illinois State Liaison to NACADA and as a Region 5 Steering Committee member. As a Region 5 Steering Committee member, I coordinated the Grant application and selection process for the region in 2007. This past year, I served as the Concurrent Session Chair for the National Conference in Chicago, IL, and volunteered a significant amount of time to this year's event.

I am confident that all of my experiences within NACADA have prepared me to be the Indiana State Liaison to NACADA. I am a firm believer that so much quality work happens at the state and region level. Additionally, I believe that the state level is a great place for new members to get involved with the organization. If offered the opportunity to serve as Indiana State Liaison, I will do my best to represent NACADA in a professional manner.

Working to represent the diverse interests in the state would be my primary goal as Indiana State Liaison. Connecting those persons within the state with similar interests is also a priority. I would continue to encourage opportunities for networking within the state (particularly spotlighting IAAN as a viable networking and professional development tool), and I would want to continue to provide resources to state members in the way of the grant process and professional development opportunities (again, highlighting IAAN) and the NACADA web site.

Finally, I think it is important for the Indiana State Liaison to seek out those members looking to move into leadership positions. This initiative could be achieved through intentional state involvement in the Emerging Leaders' program and or considerable recruitment for involvement at the regional conferences.

I have benefited tremendously from my involvement with NACADA, and this organization has given me many of the tools that have led to my success as an advising professional. Others that I have worked with in this organization continue to encourage my involvement, and I have always had the support of others to stay involved. My last two professional positions have been more administrative in nature, and I have enjoyed this new role and see that helping me in a position like the Indiana State Liaison to NACADA.

Professionally, serving as the Indiana State Liaison to NACADA seems to be a perfect fit. It gives me the opportunity to share with others the passion I have for this work, and it keeps me involved with an organization that has done so much to help me be successful.

I have spent my entire professional career working to help college students create a successful college experience for themselves, and I view my primary role in this profession as that of an educator with an ethical responsibility to improve the lives of those around me. I currently work as the Director of University Division at the University of Southern Indiana. I have been in this position for a little over one year. University Division coordinates a variety of academic programs and services to enhance all students' academic success at USI, including the advising of undecided and conditionally admitted students on campus.

Thanks to all of you that have encouraged me to get and stay involved in this worthwhile organization.

Other Professional Experience

• Director, Academic Advising Center, Northern Illinois University, Oct. 2004 - Nov. 2007
• Academic Advisor, University of Northern Iowa, Aug. 1998 - Oct. 2004

Past Involvement in NACADA :

Years in NACADA : 9 years

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

• Member, Region 5 Steering Committee, 2006, 2007
• Illinois State Liaison to NACADA, March 2006 to October 2007
• Chair, Region 5 Grant Process, 2007
• Member, Illinois Academic Advisors' Association (ILAAA) Conference Planning Committee, 2006, 2007
• Site Host, ILAAA Annual Conference, 2006

• Concurrent Session Chair, NACADA Annual Conference, Chicago, 2008

• Member, NACADA Annual Conference Advisory Board, October 2008-present

• Current Member, Advising Administration Commission - Steering Committee member, 2007, 2008 - conference proposal reader, 2007
• Current Member, Undecided and Exploratory Students Commission -- conference proposal reader, 2007
• Current Member: Advisor Training & Development Commission, Probation/Dismissal/Reinstatement Issues Interest Group

Other :

•  Conference Presentations
• NACADA National Conference, October 2008 - "Hot! Hot! Hot! Topics in Advising Administration
• NACADA National Conference, October 2007 - "Mapping the Terrain: A Guide for Academic Advising Administrators"
• ILAAA State Conference, October 2006 - "Using Organizational Theory to Look at Academic Advising on Your Campus"
• NACADA Regional Conference (Region 5/6), March 2003 - "PAIRing Up: Connecting Academic Advising Services with the Residence Halls"
• NACADA National Conference, October 2000 and NACADA Regional Conference, May 2000 - "Coordinating a Dual Advising System
• Attendee, 2009 and 2005 NACADA Administrators' Institute

I have been an academic advisor at Indiana University Purdue University – Fort Wayne for nearly 2 years and have really appreciated what I have been able to learn about the profession through NACADA. I have attended two National Conferences and the Summer Institute in Austin, Texas in 2008 and I am really excited to get involved with NACADA, region 5, and Academic Advising in the state of Indiana.

I graduated from Ball State University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and in 2006 with a Master of Art in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education. I have worked in admissions, orientation and advising offices throughout college and my brief professional career and I feel that my education, training and experience have prepared me for this position. I would bring a new, fresh perspective to the position and would represent the state to my upmost abilities!

My name is Nathan Herring, nathan.herring@indwes.edu 765-677-2257. For the last 5 academic years I have been the Disability Services Coordinator and an advisor in our academic support center. I work hard with my disability and non-disability students to help them find academic balance in their course loads and to develop independence and self-determination in their learning. My goal is for students to grow not only in academics, but in emotional and social skills as well through our work together. I would be proud to represent Indiana at the National and Region 5 level and would serve to support and grow our organization as we reach new generations of students.

Experience:

Academic Advisor Purdue University – West Lafayette; Advise undecided and inter-college transfer students

Serve on the Purdue Academic Advising Association professional development committee

Member of Indiana Academic Advising Network (IAAN); Assisting in the planning of the annual conference

Member of NACADA; Co-presenter at the 2008 National Conference

Statement:

As an advisor working with students who are undecided or who are planning on changing colleges at Purdue, I have a unique opportunity to work with students pursuing degrees in nearly all areas of the university. I understand more of the challenges and opportunities that students and advisors encounter than if I worked with a single group . One of my main goals would be to work with advisors in our state to help demonstrate our importance to the success of students and our colleges. Since we work in non-revenue producing areas, the advising department could easily become a target of shrinking budgets if we don’t show our value.

NACADA has been a great source of information and professional development in my short time as an academic advisor at Purdue. Attending and co-presenting at the national conference last year allowed me to see the great work that is being accomplished by advisors across the country. I would be honored to have the opportunity to help spread the quality advising skills that are so important to the success of our students and departments.

Experience:

Full-time professional advisor at Purdue University over 11 years

Member of Purdue Academic Advising Association (PACADA) over 11 years

Current member of Steering Committee

Past chair of Campus Affairs Committee

List Serve coordinator

Co-Chair of Budget committee for the Region V 2009 Conference Committee

Member of Indiana Academic Advising Network (IAAN)

Attended drive in conference 2007, 2008

Member of NACADA

Attended Annual conference 2006

Attended Advising Assessment Institute 2007

Statement:

During my time at Purdue I have been an advisor to students across the university with varied academic interests and backgrounds. I currently advise students who are undecided. I have learned from some great leaders who have helped and encouraged me to get involved in PACADA, IAAN, and NACADA. Through their guidance I have volunteered to help at a local level with PACADA and the Region V Conference Committee. This service has only strengthened my desire to become more involved in NACADA, and I believe state liaison is an excellent place to start.

If elected, I would strive to help IAAN and other Allied Organizations communicate with one another. I would like to see groups share information with one another more than once a year. I would also like to help organizations within the state grow and develop their members.

My passion for education was fueled by the wisdom of a man who did not complete formal schooling beyond the 8 th grade: my father. His influence led to my completion of a master’s degree and a career in higher education. This inspired path was not a direct route, but has led to rewarding roles working directly with students, leading, and now training advisors.

Personal experience as a traditional age student (attending Ball State University for 1 year directly out of high school), and as a nontraditional student (returning to college at Valparaiso University almost 15 years after my Ball State experience), brings appreciation for the role advisors play in student success. Fortunate to work in a role that directly supports advisors, as Student Services Training Manager for Davenport University, I develop and deliver training for all advisors. It is rewarding to work with new and veteran advisors, supporting their professional development. I would be honored to expand that service to advisors throughout Indiana if selected to serve as Indiana State Liaison to NACADA & Region 5 position.

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Hello. My name is Scott Gabbert and I am the Associate Director of Undergraduate Advising at North Central College in Naperville, IL. I am pleased to be a candidate for the Illinois State Liaison to NACADA and Region 5. For the past 10 years I have been a professional academic advisor and active member of both NACADA and ILAAA during that time. I can say without exception that my professional involvement and affiliations have been critical to my ongoing development as an advisor.

My vision for the role of Liaison would be to help maximize the opportunities Illinois academic advisors have to benefit from the outstanding resources available through these professional organizations, particularly considering the unprecedented times we are facing. The current economic recession raises questions about who might comprise our student body in the coming years. History tells us that, in times of recession, enrollment in higher education goes up, but will that hold true this time around? Furthermore, in his recent Congressional Address, President Obama mentioned that one of his administration’s goals will be for every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training.

Regardless of what the future holds in the higher education community, and who and how many students we see, academic advisors will be in a position of influence and the strong support and ongoing commitment of NACADA to assist advisors in these fluid times will be critical. Thus, as Illinois State Liaison I would commit to continuing NACADA’s strong tradition of professional support and work to assure that the unforeseeable future demands and expectations of academic advisors are accounted for and effectively addressed.

I am an innovative leader with a strong commitment to promoting student learning and personal development. I am a creative educator that initiates active and collaborative learning interactions; creates and implements education, life and career plans; all while focusing on the whole person. I am a resourceful researcher with a proven knowledge of college and university administration; student learning and development; assessment of the campus environment; and application of relevant theory to research and practice.

Having an overview of the functional areas within the student affairs divisions in higher education helps me serve the students academically and socially in their pursuance of higher education. Understanding student learning and development helps me to apply psychosocial, cognitive development, and person-environment interaction theories to my interactions with students. Assessing the campus environment using environmental theories based on the physical and architectural surrounding, campus ecology, and cultural perception helps me humanize the institutional surroundings. Applying relevant theory to my research and practice helps me examine the relationship between my work and the role of administration, faculty, and staff in higher education allowing me to better collaborate on integrating academic and student affairs issues.

Melvin B. Leach, Jr. is an advisor in the College of Media at the University of Illinois. November 2009 will mark his 9 th year of employment at Illinois. Prior to advising (July 2006), he served as a counselor in the Offices of Admissions and Minority Student Affairs.

Melvin coordinated and collaborated with several campus departments to create the Health Professions Living Learning Community which was approved June 2007 by Provost Linda Katehi. The community is currently operating in the Florida Avenue Residence Halls.

He coordinated efforts to produce the Student Handbook binder for the first freshman class of the College of Media. The handbook is used by all off campus transfer students and in conjunction with the Introduction to the College of Media course for all freshmen. Because the college transitioned from a two – to – four year college, Melvin researched and designed a four-year comprehensive Career Development plan for the College of Media in addition to the MAAS program (Media Academic and Achievement Success Program), which incorporates all students in the College of Media. Only one component of both programs is in effect, namely, the retention component of MAAS. This component seeks to motivate students on probation, drop status or reentry to the College to overcome challenges and perform their best academically, renewing their confidence in pursuit of higher education. Melvin is now working on a strategic recruiting plan for the College.

Melvin serves on the Illinois campus’ Career Services Council, the Career Services Marketing Committee, facilitates programs for the Illinois Leadership Center, teaches a discussion section of Media 100, and advises approximately 300 students.

While an admissions counselor, he was a co-chair for the East Central Illinois Region of IACAC (Illinois Association for College Admissions Counselors) and was responsible for planning the regional spring workshop.

 

Melvin is the Vice-Chair of the IlliAAC (Illinois Academic Advising Counsel) and will serve as Chair for 2009-2010.

 

This year (Spring 2009) Melvin served on the Advising Theory evaluation committee of NACADA to review conference workshop proposals.

 

Melvin has a BA in Speech Communication from Illinois and is pursuing a Master’s of Divinity at Urbana Seminary (expected degree completion, December 2010).

My name is Christina Matuschka and I love my job.  Between Northeastern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University Carbondale (Off Campus), I’ve worked as an advisor for close to four years.  What I enjoy the most about my advisor role is being able to create and maintain a connection between students and the university. Working at an off campus location, I have a great appreciation for the sense of connectedness my NACADA membership has given me. As I progress in my career and education, I would like the opportunity to increase my involvement with NACADA as Illinois State Liaison to NACADA & Region 5. 

Statement: Having been involved with advisement for over 10 years, I?m looking for new ways to build my knowledge base and leadership skills. With whole-hearted dedication and excitement for the valuable work of academic advisors, I would like to represent Region 5 as the State Representative. This is an opportunity to learn about the organization that is professionally guiding academic advisors across the country. My skills and connections would be beneficial and I look forward to representing the fine state of Illinois.

NACADA has provided many opportunities for my growth that I?d like to begin to return the favor to my profession

 

I have served as a full-time professional advisor at Michigan State University for over seven years. First, I advised for the Department of Romance and Classical Languages, and now, for the School of Criminal Justice. During these past seven years, I have also served as the faculty/staff advisor for four student-led organizations. These positions have provided me the opportunity to work with a diverse population of students and a diverse range of issues. It has also permitted me to experience and understand the diverse range of challenges and triumphs that advisors face professionally in regards to their own careers including advisor/student ratios; faculty, staff and advisor relationships; creating an advising office and mission; and the training of new advisors.

Many of these experiences led me to learn more about our students, our universities and our profession. In this vein, I have completed an M.A. in Student Affairs Administration through Michigan State University and the Graduate Certificate in Academic Advising offered by NACADA through Kansas State University. I am also currently working on my dissertation towards my PhD in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education at Michigan State University in which I am researching the link between academic advising and international education. I have had leadership roles in other professional organizations such as the Faculty and Professional Women’s Association at Michigan State University (Past-President) and Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority where I have served as National Academics Coordinator for the past five years.

In addition to my Graduate Certificate through NACADA, I have become continually more involved at the state level. I am a charter member of the Michigan Academic Advising Association (MIACADA) and have served on the board for the past three years. First as a Member-At-Large, then President-Elect, and now as its President. My term as President will be done in October 2009 and I would love to represent our state to NACADA. I also have attended all the state conferences since MIACADA’s inception and was fortunate enough to attend NACADA’s National Conference in 2006 and 2008. I also served as a volunteer for the 2008 NACADA Region V Conference. NACADA has played a central role in my development as an advisor since 2001 and will continue to do so. Their ESL/International Student Advising Commission, Multicultural Concerns Commission, and Theory and Philosophy of Advising Commissions have contributed to my development as an advisor and I have had the good fortune to contribute to the NACADA learning community through book reviews published in the NACADA Journal and articles in Academic Advising Today.

The reason I am running for the Michigan State Representative to NACADA is I feel that I have a great amount to contribute at the National, Regional and State levels in relation to the difficulties that both new and veteran advisors face in finding training and mentors in the field, as well as being recognized on their campuses, especially in these difficult economic times. Also, as NACADA continues to grow, I want to be able to showcase the positive contributions the advisors in Michigan consistently make to the field and truly be the voice for advisors in Michigan. I am inspired by my colleagues throughout this state and the many ways they mentor, lead and give of themselves each day to their students, institutions, colleagues, and to the profession. I would truly be honored and humbled to represent them at both the regional and national level.

Experience:

  • Full-time professional advisor at Oakland University for over 8 years

  • Faculty/staff advisor for student-led honor/professional organization during those years

  • Attended NACADA's National Conferences in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008

  • Contributed to the NACADA learning community through national conference presentations in 2003, 2004, and 2008

  • Recipient of NACADA’s 2008 Outstanding Advising Program Award for Advising Week at Oakland University.

  • Member of NACADA since 2000

  • Commission/Interest Groups:

  • Member, Advising Administration Commission

  • Member, Advisor Training and Development Commission

Statement:

Over the years my involvement in NACADA has been at the national level through presentations and commission list-servs. I have had leadership roles in other professional organizations such as president of the Administrative Professional Assembly at Oakland University (OU) and I have chaired or been the advising representative on many university committees such as OU’s General Education Committee, Petitions committees, Scholarship committees, and Foundations of Excellence in the First-Year of College committees.

 I am running for the Michigan State Representative to NACADA for I feel that I have a great amount to contribute to the NACADA organization. I have worked with a variety of students, faculty, and staff and feel I can bring a unique perspective to NACADA’s leadership.

 If chosen, I would be honored to represent the state of Michigan ’s outstanding advising professionals. I want to provide support of Michigan ’s advising interests and needs and bring those views to NACADA. I will help develop a strong connection for those of us in the state with our colleagues at the regional and national level. I want to be the voice of Michigan ’s members in supporting professional development, open communication, and promotion of NACADA.