Clay Schwenn
	University of Washington Seattle, WA
	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?

Having been a member of the Technology in Advising list serve since May 1996 (when "Shoes" ran the show), I've been actively engaged in applying technology to the process of advising for quite some time. Back then, IRC and email were relative newcomers to advising, and our field worked hard to make these applications work to our benefit. It strikes me that the conversations advisers are having about social networking sites (Facebook, MySpace, etc.) are remarkably similar to the conversations we had in the mid-90s about email advising. In the same way, Podcasting, Social Networking and video chat have the potential to enhance the ways we interact with students by making them more informed, by making our knowledge more accessible and by meeting students in the spaces (virtual or otherwise) they inhabit. I've had the good fortune the past couple years to have developed a great working relationship with the current Technology in Advising commission chair, and believe I have served as a sounding board for her thoughts on the direction this commission has been heading. I think it continues to be important for all of us to recognize the role that technology plays in making advising better, and look forward to continuing my service as a nationally recognized leader in producing Web 2.0 materials to enhance student learning.

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 ?

One of the missions of NACADA's strategic plan is to "Anticipate the academic advising needs of twenty-first century students, advisors and institutions." The Technology in Advising Commission has been anticipating these needs through a variety of applications, and at the University of Washington, we have implemented a number of concepts that just a few years ago were featured as being "over the horizon", technologically speaking. Podcasting has become more than just a buzz-word; it is a useful tool for helping students become more informed and engaged in their education, even without being in a classroom or an adviser's office. As we expand our types of Web 2.0 offerings, we're now beginning the process of research and assessment to determine the most effective next steps. As chair, while I think it is great to talk nerdy, it is more important to step back occasionally and look at what are the best tools to propagate to the masses.

Cross-campus communications continues to be a hot topic of discussion in NACADA. We have created tools that have enhanced our advising record keeping and encouraged cross-campus communication regarding students. The foundation to enhance our ability to communicate in a timely and effective manner with our colleagues has been built at a variety of institutions, and I think the time has come for us to come together as a commission and document some of the best practices, technological challenges and positive outcomes as more campuses begin their own efforts to build these systems. I would propose we could draw upon the resources within our commission to create some easily adaptable tools for cross-campus communication. Finally, we have to look at the role technology plays in supporting a diverse group of learners. There is still a technology gap in higher education, but it doesn't always follow traditionally discernible lines. Students come to us more technologically savvy, but for those that are playing catch-up, there are higher hurdles to clear. As a commission, and an organization, NACADA can and will do more to make technology more accessible to all learners under our leadership.

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

I am the director of a leadership program that serves a diverse group of students from across Washington. In the 15 years working with our state's young leaders, I am continually renewed by the work of building a framework for the delegates, and then watching what they create. In my mind, the best kind of leader is the one who, when the work is done, all the people say, "Look what we did!"

One of the rewarding things about NACADA is the opportunity to connect with your colleagues and learn about the great things they are doing. What I have discovered over the years is that I am able to do a lot of teaching about the applicability of podcasting and social networking to advising. I think the chair of the technology in advising commission serves an important role not just in setting the agenda, but also serving as a resource for people who view technology as a hurdle. I'd like to help lower that hurdle, not just by serving as a resource, but by connecting people who are attempting to create similar advising resources. I was surprised by this nomination, but having been nominated, I look forward to creating a framework, and then hearing everybody say, "Look what we did!"

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. 

Feel free to check out the UW Advising Podcast: http://depts.washington.edu/advpdcst/new/
Feel free to add me as a friend on Facebook!

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:

• Pre-Conference Workshop Presenter: iHelp v. 2.0: Your University's Podcast, NACADA Region 8 Conference, Vancouver, BC, 2008
• Presenter: iHelp: The University of Washington Advising Podcast, NACADA Region 8 Conference, Boise, ID, 2007 (Best of Region)

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Member, NACADA National Awards Selection Committee, Technology Awards (2007-present)

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Steering Committee Member, Technology in Advising Commission, 2007-present
• Steering Committee Member, Advising Student Athletes Commission, 2006-present
• Member: Technology in Advising Commission, Advising Student Athletes Commission, Advising Business Majors Commission, Probation/Dismissal/Reinstatement Issues Interest Group

Other:

• NACADA activities:
  • NACADA Webinar Presenter, "On the Horizon: The Future of Academic Advising and Technology", Dec. 2007
  • Certificate of Merit for Technology in Advising, NACADA 2007
  • Presenter: iHelp: The University of Washington Advising Podcast, NACADA Annual Conference, Baltimore, 2007
  • Presenter: Hot Topic - Using Social Networking to Sail the Student's Seas, NACADA Annual Conference, Baltimore, 2007
  • Presenter - Three Ways to Think About Transfer/Transition, NACADA Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN (2006, Commission Sponsored)
  • Presenter - Transfer Readiness: Meeting the Challenge, NACADA Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV (2005, Commission Sponsored)
  • Participant - 2004 Academic Advising Summer Institute, Portsmouth, VA
• Presenter, "Assessing Readiness for Exchange", National Student Exchange Conference, Boise, 2008
• University of Washington activities:
  • Co-Producer - University of Washington Advising Podcast (2006-present)
  • Association of Professional Advisers and Counselors (UW advising organization)