Tammy A. Russell
	Lock Haven University Lock Haven, PA
	Platform Statement: Highlight your previous involvement within this unit that will help you in leading this unit.  What roles have you played within this particular unit as a member thus far?

Creating and chairing the First-Generation College Student Advising Interest group provided me with the strong foundation necessary to work closely with others who are also strongly committed to serving NACADA. It has been a pleasure to see the First-Generation College Student Advising Interest group expand and develop since its inception.

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? 

I previously worked in a very collaborative advising unit. Due to its large structure, only those presenting and/or actively involved within NACADA were able to receive funding for conference attendance. This alone was an incentive however those advisers who worked within the unit for many years encouraged co-presentations, which offered the newer advisers in the department, including myself, the opportunity to interact with other NACADA members, to become familiar with NACADA's vision, and provide us the ability to become professionally involved within NACADA. I would like to continue this trend within Region 2.

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

Helping others less experienced in the field and encouraging different points of views to work together in order to achieve the larger goal are qualities that I have come to develop through my years of experience. I enjoy group discussions on various topics, mostly to learn something from a different perspective. I would like to continue my involvement by interacting more closely with my neighboring colleagues.

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. 

Many times people turn down the opportunity to hold leadership positions specifically because that individual may feel less qualified than another person but the willingness to seek assistance and advice from others are the true qualities necessary to help an organization professionally grow. All of us have in born strengths that touch upon different areas and a person who is willing to ask questions, to receive feedback from others, and to pull all strengths together will have a successful run in leadership. Learning is not unidirectional. Learning happens when all involved listen and seek input from everyone. I still have a lot of room for growth and I look forward to learning from others and to be actively involved within a profession about which I am truly passionate.

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 8 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

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

• Have volunteered to help within Western PA and look forward to serving in any capacity possible.

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Member, Commission and Interest Group Division Steering Committee, 2005-2007
• Created and Chaired, First-Generation College Student Advising Interest Group, 2001-2003
• Assisted Multicultural Concerns Commission Chair with commission activities, 1999-2000
• Current member — Undecided & Exploratory Students Commission, Assessment of Advising Commission, High School to College Advising Interest Group, First-Generation College Student Advising Interest Group

Other:

• Publications
  • DeGregorio, G. G., Russell, T., & Bothel, D. (2003). High school to college transition. In Advising Transfer students: Issues and Strategies (Chap. 2A) National Academic Advising Association
• Monograph
  • Russell, T. A. (2007). A story of a first-gen: 21 years later. Retrieved November 18, 2007, from http://www.educationalpolicy.org/pdf/0711_Student_Success.pdf
• National Database
  • Passed peer review process to upload SSS program to the Educational Policy Institute’s (EPI) Effective Practices in Student Success (EPSS) database 2007
• Annual Conference
  • Presented at the Student Leadership Development Institute, The Pennsylvania Black Conference of Higher Education, November, 2007
  • Presented two different topics at the National Academic Advising Association conference, 2002
  • Presented at numerous national conferences since 1999
• University Service
  • Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
    • Academic Regulations Committee, 2007
    • First-year Experience Committee, 2007
    • Minority Student Retention Committee, 2007
    • Enrollment Management Steering Committee, 2006-2007
    • Co-Chair TLC Advising Assessment Committee, 2006-2007
    • Department web development and maintenance, 2006-present
    • University advising web development and maintenance, Spring 2007-present
  • The Pennsylvania State University, University Park
    • Member, Executive Committee
    • University Advising Council, 2005-2006