Maura Reynolds, Hope College, Holland, MI

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 9 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

• Member, NACADA Council, 2004-2006 —
  • appointed to represent the Commission and Interest Group Division
  • worked cooperatively with other division representatives to bring recommendations to the Board of Directors and to advance NACADA's strategic plan.
• Appointed Division Representative, Commission and Interest Group Division, 2004-2006
  • chaired task force to review and revise Interest Group guidelines
  • served on task force for evaluation of commissions and commission chairs
  • revised procedures and handbooks for the division
  • created brochure to address questions about interest groups and commissions and to explain how and why to get involved
• Chair, Small Colleges and Universities Commission, 2002-2004
  • building on the work of earlier chairs, increased participation in the commission and at the national conference
  • developed web-pages for this commission
  • initiated service to commission awards for this commission  

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

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Chair, Publications Advisory Board, 2006-2008
• Member, Webinar Review Team, 2006-present
• Member, Review team for NACADA monograph "New Advisor Guidebook: Mastering the Art of Academic Advising Through the First Year and Beyond", in press, 2006
• Member, Visibility Task Force, 2005-2006
• Member, Awards Committee Selection subcommittees, 2004-2006
• Member, National Conference Review Task Force, 2003-2004

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current member — Small Colleges and Universities Commission, Faculty Advising Commission
• See above for additional commission and interest group involvement

Other:

• Presenter, NACADA National Conferences, 2002-2006
• "Working with Faculty," chapter in NACADA monograph "New Advisor Guidebook: Mastering the Art of Academic Advising through the First Year and Beyond", in press 2006
• Book reviews for NACADA Journal, 2003, 2005, 2006
• "Faculty Advising in a Learner-Centered Environment," Academic Advising News, June 2004
• "Now What? Some Thoughts on Advising Students in Selective Majors," NACADA Clearinghouse, 2004
• "Faculty Voices at Small Colleges: Keeping the 'Main Things' the Main Things in Advising," chapter in NACADA monograph "Advising and Learning: Academic Advising from the Perspective of Small Colleges and Universities", 2003
• Like other NACADA members, I serve with many groups and committees on my campus at Hope College, including the following —
  • One of my favorites is the Teaching Enhancement Workshop, an intensive program for professors new to teaching at Hope College.
  • I have received the Provost's Award for Service to the Academic Program and the Vanderbush-Weller Award for extraordinary contributions to the lives of students. 

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. 

Because the Council works closely with the Board of Directors, since 2004, I've attended board meetings during the national conferences and the mid-year meetings (Cincinnati, Las Vegas, and Indianapolis). I've read minutes of other board meetings and teleconferences. I believe I have a good understanding of the issues the board deals with currently, as well as those it needs to address.

My involvement with the Council and with the Commission and Interest Group Division has focused on working with others cooperatively to accomplish goals. I take great delight in this kind of involvement and would bring the same spirit to the board of directors.

• 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?

Continuing to increase NACADA's visibility in the higher education community. The recent partnering initiative with NCAA and publications with Jossey-Bass and FYE serve as great models to build upon. Not only do these benefit the association, they highlight the importance of academic advising in enhancing student learning and supporting institutional mission.

Continuing to provide opportunities for professional growth and leadership. It's been exciting to see the new professionals group blossom and to work with the monograph aimed at this group. NACADA's first webinar was both sold-out and well received. Membership has increased phenomenally. Clearly, the organization is on the right track, and the board will need to provide a vision to continue and build upon this success.

We also need to draw more into leadership roles-both to ensure the continued viability of the organization and to benefit from the rich and diverse experiences and voices of those we serve. The new Emerging Leaders Program offers opportunity to focus on this need.

It's an exciting time to be part of NACADA.  Let's get to work!

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

I attended my first NACADA conference in Miami in 1988 shortly after I was asked to serve as director of academic advising. I knew not a soul. Advisors from schools large and small welcomed me, generously shared ideas, offered help, and charged my batteries. I'd work to ensure that others (new and not-so-new to advising) have similar experiences--at regional and national conferences and institutes and via webinars, Journal, Clearinghouse, Academic Advising Today, monographs, and other publications. I welcome the opportunity to work with board members, staff in the executive office, and NACADA members to move toward this vision.

• 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.