Kathy Sindt
	Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
	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?

Since I joined the Region 2 steering committee, Region 2 has moved towards an open nomination and election process for committee positions. I see this as an improvement since it gives every member of the region an opportunity to get involved at the Regional level. As awards chair, I recently reviewed ideas with the committee for revising our regional awards program. As a result, we have plans to update the nomination process to make it easier to nominate individuals. As the national and regional Member Career Services representative, I helped generate ideas for improving the services provided by MCS to NACADA members. For example, we hope to be able to bring a career development workshop for advisors to regional conferences.

In addition, I have made connections throughout the region, and at the national level, due to serving as the Hospitality Chair for the NACADA Annual Conference in Baltimore this past fall.

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? 

As a member of the Region 2 Steering Committee this past year, I helped select two strategic goals from the National Association strategic plan for us to focus on within our region. To support the first strategic goal (5a) of promoting diversity within the association, we created a Student Emerging Leader Travel Grant to help students attend the regional conference. To support the second strategic goal (1c) of providing comprehensive professional development opportunities, we began two initiatives. The first was to have steering committee members conduct drive-outs to visit academic advisors at under-represented institutions and promote their professional development. The second initiative was to create a regional award to recognize administrators who strongly support advising but are not advisors themselves. With the need to begin these new initiatives, complete changes to our award procedures, and continuing our existing programs of State Drive-Ins and a yearly regional conference, I believe our main short-term goals should be to have success with these tasks.

To add additional goals and activities at the state and regional level, it will be necessary to grow the strength of the organization at the state level – a State liaison is only one person. I would like to see us explore the establishment of having steering committees at the state level to allow us to pursue additional goals and provide more opportunities for members to become involved in the creation and leadership of NACADA initiatives for their personal professional development and enjoyment.

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

Honestly, I have had a ton of fun this past year with my NACADA work and responsibilities at both the national and regional levels. I’ve loved meeting new people, learning about advising at other institutions through the friends I’ve made, and seeing things I’ve helped make happen be successful. It’s an exciting time for Region 2. I’d love the chance to continue energizing our current members and looking for ways to expand our reach.

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. 

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 7 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

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

• Region 2 Steering Committee, Member Career Services and Awards Chair, 2007-present
• Presented at the 2005 Region 2 Conference
• Helped coordinated a Maryland State Drive-In at home institution in 2003
• Attended the Region 2 Conference in 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2007

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Region 2 representative, Member Career Services Committee, 2006-2008
• Hospitality Chair, Annual Conference Committee, 2006-2007 (Baltimore)
• Member, National Awards Selection Committee — helped select Summer Institute Scholarship recipients, 2007

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current member, Engineering and Science Advising Commission
• Current member, Advising High-Achieving Students Interest Group

Other:

• Presented at the 2003 and 2005 NACADA annual conferences
• Wrote book review for the NACADA Journal in 2005 (submitting again in late 2007)
• Winner, 2006 NACADA Summer Institute Scholarship (and attended Summer Institute)
• Attended six annual NACADA conferences