Art Esposito
	Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
	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?

I've been a member of the Technology in Advising Commission since joining NACADA in the fall of 2005 and have recently been asked to serve on the commission's steering committee. I've presented on Technology in Advising topics at five of the last six National and Regional conferences, on two Webinars in as many years and was on the curricular planning committee for the Technology Seminar to be held in February, 2009. I have published an article in and serve on the Editorial Board for Academic Advising Today and have participated as a member of NACADA's Academic Advising Consultants and Speakers Service since November, 2007.

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 feel the previously established commission goals would be best served by focusing on the duality that exists when considering the use of technology in advising. The duality of which I speak comes to light when observing the contrasting functionality necessary for effective administrative and student-focused programming .

As an early adopter of Social Media applications for use in the Academic Advising relationship, I feel increased research and exploration in this area to be of the utmost importance for the delivery of student-focused programming. By situating academic advising in our students on-line environments, we can empower ourselves to more effectively guide students through their process of developing a realistic self-perception and successfully transitioning to the post-secondary learning environment.

In so far as all academic advisors deliver both student-focused programming and engage in administrative tasks on a daily basis, continued development of The Technology in Advising Commission's Advising Technology Education Center (ATECH) should be a key priority. The ATECH web site could function as an invaluable tool for the research and adoption of technologies beneficial to any level of advising administration -- from program directorship to individual caseload management. Wiki and other collaborative applications would strengthen both the depth of content and user access.

Finally, further development of NACADA's podcasting and blogging endeavors would tap into yet unexplored potential for the delivery of member services and professional development programming. There's no reason the Technology Commission shouldn't lead the way in collaboration with other Commissions and Interest Groups to improve the efficacy of information sharing and the delivery of their services and programming. A host of Web 2.0 and Social Media applications would lend themselves well to this sort of exploration and await our decision to "light out for new territory" in this regard.

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

I've gained so much from my affiliation with NACADA that I'm eager to serve-to give back to the association in as many ways as I am able. Bolstered by the encouragement of all those who have mentored me and aided by the collaboration I've enjoyed with fellow advisors on countless presentations and consultations, I've identified ways in which the discipline of academic advising can be advanced. I'd be honored to steer that advancement at the intersection of technology and advising.

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'm a professional jazz musician and avid music lover and feel we should start having jam sessions at the National Conferences. . .and I never eat cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory (*grinning).

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 4 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

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

• Presented on Technology in Advising topics at Region 2 conferences in both 2007 and 2008.

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Steering Committee Member, Technology in Advising Commission, 2008-current
• Steering Committee Member, Undeclared and Exploratory Students Commission, 2008-current
• Member: Technology in Advising Commission, Undeclared and Exploratory Students Commission, Faculty Advising Commission, Advising FIrst-Year Students Interest Group

Other:

• Presentations focused on the use of Social Media in Advising --
  • Presenter, NACADA Annual Conferences in 2007 and 2008
  • Presenter, Southern Association of Collegiate Admissions and Registrars Officers, February 2008
  • Presenter as NACADA Consultant, Edmonton Alberta, Canada, May of 2008.
• Promoted to Director of Discovery Advising (VCU's program for undeclared and exploratory students), July 2008.
  • Our program was recently awarded both a Certificate of Merit from NACADA and a Noel-Levitz award for programmatic excellence.