Rob Mossack
	Lipscomb University Nashville, TN
	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.

It has been my privilege to serve in both the Regional and Administrative divisions of the NACADA leadership since 2003. In doing so, I've gained an appreciation for the depth and diversity of abilities and interests found among our members, and the potential those talents bring to the task of moving NACADA forward asa premier professional organization, not only in academic advising, but in higher education as a whole.

In serving as the chair of Region 3 (2003-2005), it was my good fortune to be able to build personal relationships with NACADA members from across the region. We were able to build our membership from around 300 to almost 600 during my term, and we enjoyed record attendance at the 2005 regional conference in Louisville, KY. We also were able to initiate an awards program for outstanding advisors, and saw an increase in state meetings and drive-in conferences, part of an attempt to reach out to the members in the region. Truth is, all of the accomplishments of the term can be attributed to a very strong region steering committee, and that committee continues its good work to this day.

Serving as chair of the Awards Committee (2005-2007) provided a different set of experiences--much more administrative in nature. Our task was to make sure that policies and processes were consistent and fair, and that the Awards Program ran as smoothly as possible. A personal benefit from my term as chair was being able to see first hand the work being done by colleagues all across the country (from reading ALL nomination packets from EVERY category!). I feel strongly that this position provided me with a great sense or "feel" for what's going on in advising on campuses all over the nation.

Serving on two task forces (Core Values in 2003 and New Leader Orientation Program in 2008) has provided me with opportunity to interact with colleagues in shaping either policy or programs, and to gain an appreciation for both the core values of our organization and profession, and for the importance of making sure that new leaders have the insights and information they need to succeed in their work.

Finally, I value greatly my involvement with both commissions and interest groups. The exchange of information has more than once given me the ammunition needed in presenting an idea on my own campus. More important than that, however, has been the networking relationships that have grown out of that involvement.

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?

Having spent a year as a member of the Board of Directors, I have developed an appreciation for our strategic plan as we have spent the year developing our vision for the direction that plan will take us as a board, and as an association.

We, as a board, have attempted to identify tangible actions within the specific goals, and those will be a continuing focus for us:

1. Increasing our understanding of the membership-- through continued surveys, focus groups, etc. It is imperative that we make sure that we let the strategic plan lead the way in making the association one that meets the expectations of the membership.
2. Increase associational visibility--through focusing on research and recognition/reward. We must continue to support members in advising-related research that will increase the appreciation and validation of our profession in the higher education community as a whole. We must also continue to recognize outstanding contributions to our field.
3. Providing support for practice--we must continue to find ways to provide convenient and affordable professional development opportunities for our members, particularly in these difficulty budgetary times. The expanding of our technology capabilities is imperative.
4. Promoting organizational effectiveness--we need to make sure that we are accountable in everything we do, and that we are efficient stewards of the association's resources.

My year on the board has helped me understand the importance of these goals, and to understand the role of the board in guiding the association as it seeks to carry out the implications of elements of the strategic plan.

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

I'm interested in any opportunity to serve in NACADA, because I believe the association has enriched my professional life in so many ways. I see it as an opportunity to give back, and in some ways to "pay it forward."

I would like to think that I have a "catalog" of varied experiences within the organization, and that those experiences have provided me with insights, ideas, and relationships that would let me serve effectively as Vice President. I would enjoy the opportunity to work with the Council to further the goals of the association, and it would be an honor to be given the chance to serve the association as VP.

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: 10 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

• Board of Directors- current term (2007-10)
  • Have served on several subcommittees, including Policy review
• Chair, National Awards Committee (2005-07)
  • Responsible for leading committee in decision-making processes
  • Expanded size of "oversight committee"
  • Reworked guidelines for several awards and initiated changes on several nomination forms
• Chair, MidSouth Region 3 (2003-05)
  • Region membership almost doubled during term
  • Record attendance at 2005 region conferences
  • Worked with state liaisons to increase outreach through state meetings, etc.
  • Worked to expand outreach to affiliated organizations in region

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

• MidSouth Region 3 Steering Committee (2003-07)
• MidSouth Region 3 Conference Proposal Selection Committee (2004, 2006)
• MidSouth Region 3 Conference Committee (2006)
• Presented at Region 3 Conference (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008)
• Presented at Region 4 Conference (2007)

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Member, Awards Oversight Committee (2004-2007)
• Member, New Leader Orientation Task Force (2008)
• Member Awards Committee, Faculty Advising Awards (2003-2005)
• Member, Core Values Task Force (2003)

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Member, Small Colleges and Universities Commission -- Reader for annual conference proposals (2005, 2008)

• Member, Advising Administration Commission
• Member, Appreciative Advising Interest Group
• Member, Probation/Dismissal/Reinstatement Issues Interest Group
• Past member, Faculty Advising Commission
  

Other:

• Attended Annual Conferences: 1995, 2002-2008
• Attended Summer Institute: 2001
• Participant, NACADA Leadership Program: 2002-2003
• Recipient, Summer Institute Scholarship: 2001
• Presenter, Annual Conference: 2004, 2008
• Presenter, TN/KY State Drive-in Conference; 2005
• Presenter on advising and strengths at Gallup's National Strengths Conference: 2005
• At Lipscomb University:
  • Revamped supplemental instruction/tutoring programs
  • Increased academic skills support offerings
  • Initiated campus advising awards program
  • Restructured probation programs
  • Restructured/restaffed advising for deciding students
  • Initiated use of technology in providing advising and academic support materials for students