Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 17 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

• Board of Directors Member (2005-2008)
• Secretary (2000-2002) - recorded minutes for Executive Board, Mid-year and Fall Board meetings, and Business Meetings during critical transition to new Board structure.
• Small Colleges & Universities Commission Chair (1997-2000); 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. 

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 several regional conferences. 

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• CD3 - member of development team (2007) "Foundations of Academic Advising: Introduction to Cultural Worldview/Identity Development"
• Summer Institute Faculty (2006) — Presented topical sessions, led small group, helped participants develop institutional action plans, served as consultant.
• CD2 - member of development team (2006) "Foundations of Academic Advising: Academic Advising Delivery Models"
• Narrative Advising (2003) contributing author to "Advising and Learning: Academic Advising from the Perspective of Small Colleges and Universities"
• National Awards Committee (2002) - reviewed publications (non-electronic) and helped select the outstanding publications
• Academic Advising Administrator's 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 & Election Committee (1993-2002) — helped secure nominations for various regional and commission positions.
• 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:

• Recipient, 2005 Service to Commission Award for Small Colleges and Universities Commission
• Member, Small Colleges & Universities Commission since 1994, Chair-elect & Chair (1997-2000) - helped advance the cause of the small college/university advising unit and provide support for solo operations; created and currently monitor Small College & Universities Commission listserve; have presented concurrent sessions at National Conferences (1996-2002) - selected as Commission-sponsored session five of the six years.
• Member, Advising Undecided/Exploratory Students Commission (2000-2002)

Other:

• Involved in OHAAA - State association, attended all state meetings since the organization founding in 1997 - represented National Office (1998-2002), presenter (1998, 2002, 2004, 2006)
• Presenter at KASADA (2005) - Kent State University advising association
• Presenter at NACADA national conferences (1993-2005)  

Platform Statement:

• Highlight the goals you accomplished and the work you did while serving as a Unit Chair or Division Representative. In addition, highlight your involvement in all areas of the Association, demonstrating your experiences that make you qualified to serve in this position on the NACADA Board of Directors. 

It has been a privilege to see the formation, development and advancement of the Small Colleges and Universities Commission. We look to the national conference for collegiality, professional growth, and a time to kick back and relax. This Commission has provided strength in numbers to many of us work as the sole professional advisor in our institutions. This is but one example of what NACADA exemplifies.

Developing deep and lasting friendships through my NACADA membership have provided numerous opportunities to serve my colleagues, providing positive memories that will last a lifetime. While the many presentations may be forgotten, the connections around a common love for students continues.

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 and have twice served on the Board, once as secretary. I have proudly been involved as NACADA has offered topical CD series; webinars; focused institutes on assessment, advising administration, effectively engaging faculty in academic advising; a relationship with the NCAA; etc., to support you professionally. I have learned so much.

• What do you believe are the most important goals and initiatives for the Association in meeting its strategic plan and what do you feel you can contribute to this position in meeting these goals and initiatives?

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.

Advising is learning. While we tend to look to student outcomes, one does not engage without coming away changed. Advising is collaborative and we are only as strong professionally as we are skilled at taking care of ourselves. It is important that as higher education looks to academic advising as meeting learning outcomes that we provide a model that support both student and advisor learning.

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

It has been exciting to see academic advising gain prominence within higher education as we have entered the 21st century. It is paramount to advance the voice of academic advising in curricula, pedagogy, and student learning outcomes and it would be an honor to represent you to the myriad categories of institutions with various advising delivery systems. Whether a professional or faculty advisor, our impact on student lives is increasingly recognized as a critical component in college success.

• 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. 

I have been in higher education for 28 years. I have committed myself to researching student success, the last 18 years specifically in the arena of academic advising. What a privilege to see them transition into adulthood, mid-life career transitions or simply develop a love for learning. It's certainly a perk to hold their babies when they visit, too.

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.