Jacqueline Dana
	University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX
	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?

Many years ago I was inspired by Sarah Ann Hones and Karen Sullivan-Vance to get involved in the Liberal Arts Interest Group and promote the interests of Liberal Arts advisors both within NACADA and at my home institution. In 2002 I was one of the members of the Interest Group that met to draft the proposal to raise our group to Commission status that was presented in 2003, and have been a committed member of the Commission since it achieved that status in 2004. I regularly participate in Liberal Arts sessions and Commission meetings at National conferences and have served as a liaison between my campus and the Commission.

Recently I created a Facebook group for the Liberal Arts Advisors Commission and currently am developing a wiki for the Commission that will allow advisors from across the country to contribute and use resources for advising in the Liberal Arts.

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?

While I have my own ideas for the Commission, it is important first to note the Commission's current goals. While we have seen results from the goal of encouraging research and presentations on Liberal Arts issues, as Commission Chair I would set this as a priority. Other goals, including the identification of regional Commission representatives and the development of a Commission web site, could be achieved within a year.

Additional ideas that I would bring to the Commission include:

1. Increasing communication between the Commission and its membership through regular email updates, Facebook discussions, and wiki development. We seek more contributions and involvement from our Commission members, and that is difficult to achieve without regular interaction between the Commission Chair/Steering Committee and the Commission membership.
2. Soliciting from Commission members (as well as non-Commission colleagues and Liberal Arts faculty) various advising resources, including materials on careers for Liberal Arts majors, the history of a Liberal Arts education, and educational theory and practical tips for Liberal Arts Advisors.
3. Demonstrate the use of Web 2.0 and other technology to our membership so our members can understand, use and explain the technology to our often non-technical students.
   

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

I think it is important to educate all advisors (whether they work in Liberal Arts or not!) about the value of a Liberal Arts education and the real-life successes of our students. Liberal Arts advisors should be proud, not apologetic, for our programs. Conference sessions dealing with Liberal Arts topics consistently reflect both the passions and frustrations of advisors in our field.

Members of our Commission have many great ideas to improve our jobs and awareness of the value of Liberal Arts. We need a Commission Chair who can turn those ideas into reality, and harness our collective energy to create an effective resource for our colleagues internationally. With my educational background in Liberal Arts, 13 years of experience advising within Liberal Arts, and my long-standing commitment to this Commission, I believe I am well-suited to advancing the goals and needs of our Commission and its membership.

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. 

My educational background, professional experience, and campus service all serve as testament to my commitment to a Liberal Arts education. I received my BA in English and MA in History from the University of Missouri-Columbia and completed coursework towards a Ph.D. in History at UT Austin. Since 1995 I have worked as an academic advisor in the Sociology Department at the University of Texas at Austin, wearing the multiple hats of an advisor, coordinator of the advising office, and coordinator of our honors program. Beyond my advising experience, during my time at UT I have served in leadership capacities for several staff organizations and committees, and have planned a number of departmental and campus events. I have also served as the public relations coordinator for the Village of Webberville, where I currently live.

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 10 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

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

• Presenter, 2007 NACADA Region VII conference
• Volunteer, 2007 NACADA Region VII conference

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Volunteer coordinator (Conference Committee), 2003 NACADA National conference

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Member, Liberal Arts Advisors Commission, 2004-present (previously member of LA Advisors Interest Group)
• Member: Technology in Advising Commission, Advisor Training & Development Commission, Large Universities Interest Group

Other:

Activities and Honors at University of Texas at Austin:

• Academic Advisor, Department of Sociology, UT Austin, 1995-present
• Recipient, Texas Exes' James W. Vick Award for Academic Advising (campus-wide award), 2005
• Liberal Arts representative, UT Staff Council, Fall 2008-present
• Member, College of Liberal Arts Advisory Council, 2007-present
• Member, Resources for Ongoing Advisor Development (ROAD) Committee, 2006-2008
• Member, Freshman Interest Group Committee, College of Liberal Arts, 2003-2007
• Member, Academic Counselors Association (UT Austin), 1995-present
• Presentation, "Hogwarts History 101," discussing the historical/liberal arts content of Harry Potter books, for Explore UT (campus-wide open house, 2005-2007) and ACA Professional Development Day (2005)