Philip Christman, Malone College, Canton, OH

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 14 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

• Small Colleges & Universities Commission Chair-elect & Chair (1997-2000) — helped advance the cause of the small college/university advising unit and provide support for solo operations; created and monitor the Small Colleges & Universities Commission list serve; twice elected to one of five Commission Chair voting positions on National Board (1999, 2000); advanced cause of faculty advisors in NACADA alongside professional advisors within small college environment.

• Secretary (2000-2002) - recorded minutes for Executive Board, Mid-year and Fall Board meetings, and Business Meetings during the critical transition to new Board structure.

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

• Represented the National Office and Executive Board at two regional conferences (2001, 2002) as well as presented at both regional conferences.

Committee Activities and Accomplishments:

• Academic Advising Administrators' Committee (2000-2002) - co-led highly successful Private Colleges & Universities Administrator Pre-conference workshops (2001, 2002); as well as a pre-conference workshop on same topic at Regional Conference (2002).
• Nominations & Elections Committee (1993-2002) — helped secure nominations for various regional and commission positions.
• National Awards Committee (2002) - reviewed publications (non-electronic) and helped select the outstanding publications.
• Teleconference Task Force (1999-2001)
• Organizational Structure Task Force (2000)
• Strategic Planning Committee (1998-1999) —part of original planning team leading to organizational restructuring that was implemented after Fall 2002 National Conference.

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current member, Small Colleges & Universities Commission (since 1994) - have presented concurrent sessions at National Conferences (1996-2002) and selected as a Commission-sponsored session five of the six years.
• Current member, Undecided/Exploratory Students Commission (since 2000) and Liberal Arts Advisors Commission
• Current Member, Study Abroad Advising Interest Group

Other:

• Involved in OHAAA (state association) - attended all state meetings since the organization was first formed (1997-2002); represented National Office (1998-2002), presenter (1998, 2002, 2004).

Platform Statement:

As advising continues to gain prominence within higher education, we need strong leadership. I have been in higher education for 25 years and my research interests revolve around why students are successful in the attainment of a college degree. Whether you are a professional advisor or faculty advisor, our impact on student lives is increasingly recognized as a critical component in college success. I was privileged to be part of the initial task force that led to the current restructuring of NACADA to position itself as the leader for theory, delivery, application, and advancement of academic advising to enhance student development, with a particular focus at the grassroots level. NACADA is ready to move these goals forward and I welcome the opportunity to be a part of that movement.

Advising is teaching. Whether instructing in the classroom, a professional office, or group advising setting, NACADA must continue to offer higher education training and professional opportunities for individual growth. I believe the NACADA Board must be advocates for you, our constituency, to allow us all to be better advocates for students.

I am committed to working with both faculty and professional advisors who hold a similar desire to meet students where they are and to help them achieve their goals. I believe my past and current involvement in the organization will be beneficial in moving NACADA forward. I would appreciate the privilege to do so.