Terry Musser, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 14 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

• Regional Division Representative, 2002-2004
  • Accomplishments: Helped establish the work of the new Council; established the regional governance structure under the new organizational format
• Region Chair, Mid-Atlantic Region 2, 1998-2002
  • Accomplishments: Firmed up regional governance structure; recruited regional steering committee and established working relationships among those members

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

• Regional Conference Presenter: 1993-2005

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Member, Diversity Committee, 2004-2006 —
  • Accomplishments: Helped write a white paper on diversity within the organization; facilitated regional diversity discussion; currently developing an emerging leaders program for NACADA Council.
• Member, Reorganizational Task Force - Member of the original task force to design the reorganization of NACADA, 2000
  • Accomplishments: Reorganized NACADA in record time!

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current Member, Commission for Undecided & Exploratory Students and Commission for Technology in Advising
• Current Member, Theory and Philosophy of Advising Interest Group

Other:

• National Conference Presenter: 1993-2005
• Advising-related Awards:
  • The Excellence in Advising Award at Penn State, 2003
  • NACADA Research Grant, 2003
  • NACADA Outstanding Service to Region 2 Award, 2005
  • NACADA Outstanding Advisor Award, 2005

Platform Statement:

• Highlight your involvement in this unit that will help you in leading this unit. What roles have you played in this unit thus far? 

Although I have only been a NACADA member for fourteen years, I have been involved in the leadership of the organization for eight years. I feel that my involvement has significantly contributed to the structure and culture that NACADA currently enjoys. It was exciting to be part of the reorganization of this association and to be part of the implementation of that newly designed structure. I have experienced NACADA's growing pains and the excitement of watching it evolve into the strong association it is today. It has been an honor to be involved in the entire process of moving this organization into the next millenium.

• 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?

These are exciting times for NACADA. This organization is growing very rapidly, and the number and types of professional development opportunities it is now offering are phenomenal. Membership is at an all-time high and expected to continue growing. Attendance at state, regional and national conferences and institutes is breaking all records. The number of brand new members joining this organization each year is astounding and inspiring at the same time. With this type of rapid growth also come challenges. If elected to the Board of Directors, I would be honored to be involved in addressing some of these challenges:

• How do we incorporate more diversity into our leadership at all levels?
• How can we better meet the needs of new members?
• How can we better retain new members?
• How can we meet the professional development needs of advisors at various levels in their careers?
• How can we be better advocates for advisors and for the field of academic advising?
• How can we organize ourselves to address the growing needs of this growing organization?

I feel that I would bring a lot of experiences in advising and in NACADA to the table that would enable me to consider issues from a variety of angles and perspectives.

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

I feel that the Board of Directors of NACADA is a dedicated group of colleagues who want to see the advising profession take it's place among the recognized leaders of higher education. Members of the Board have the opportunity to really dream about the future and develop a shared vision for this organization and then help spread that vision to others. The Board also enjoys the luxury of being able to listen to the membership and then to act upon ideas and suggestions that come directly from the grassroots of this organization.

I believe that the Board must look at the future of this organization and ask ourselves where we want to be in ten, twenty or thirty years and how we want to get there. I would relish the chance to think about and discuss these issues with fellow advising colleagues as a member of NACADA's Board of Directors.

• Provide any additional comments or information regarding your past experiences and qualifications that relate to your candidacy for this leadership position.