Josie Gibson, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 19 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

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

• Region 10:
  • Program Chair, 2006 Regional Conference, Albuquerque, NM
  • Member, Regional Steering Committee, 2005-2007
  • Co-Chair, 2002 Regional Conference, Albuquerque, NM
  Region 2:
  • First State Coordinator for Pennsylvania - 1997-2000 — organized three successful drive-in workshops for Eastern PA
  • Board of Directors - Secretary - 1997-2000
• Attended all regional conferences since 1995 (Regions 2 and 10)
• New Mexico Academic Advising Association (NMAAA):
  • Member, 2000 to present
  • First Vice President for Programs, 2003-2006 (NMAAA formally organized in 2003) — serve as Chair of the Program Committee and oversee planning of the annual conference; created conference handbook for planning state conferences.
  • Co-Chair, 2004 State Conference

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Member, Member Career Services Committee, 2004-2006 — assisted Chair with career table at last 2 national conferences.

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current member: Advising Graduate and Professional Students Commission, Engineering and Science Advising Commission
• Served on task force - exploring faculty and professional advising in graduate affairs

Other:

• Received 2004 Outstanding Professional Staff Award, School of Engineering, University of New Mexico
• Member, Association for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE), 1987-2000 —
  • Region IV - Chair, Program Chair, Treasurer, Member-at-Large; Awards, Marketing, Membership and Program Committees
  • Tri-Regional Conference (Regions II, III, and IV) - Conference Chair 1994, Conference Committee 1991-99
  • National: Council of Regional Chairs, Membership, Regional Realignment, Awards, Program Committee for National Conference
• NACADA Summer Institute, Copper Mountain, CO, 1995

Platform Statement:

• Highlight your involvement in this unit that will help you in leading this unit. What roles have you played in this unit thus far? 

Region 10 - Steering Committee 2005-2007
Region 10 - Program Chair, Regional Conference 2006

Region 10 - Co-Chair Regional Conference 2002

Leadership of a regional conference requires knowledge of and expertise in planning, setting goals, group facilitation, budgeting, programming, and organization.  My involvement in NACADA Region 10 conferences as well as those in Region 2 and in NMAAA have honed my skills in these areas.  These skills are critical to the leadership of the region as Regional Chair. These positions have also served to acquaint me with the activities, operation, and policies of the region.

• 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?

Utilizing the expertise and creativity of the region's steering committee, I would like to see our members focus upon these possible goals which would support the Association's strategic plan.

1. Address the academic advising needs of higher education.
   • Survey members to identify specific issues and provide that information to the national office.
   • Identify graduate programs in higher education within the region and outreach to students.
   • Develop a recruitment plan.
   • Outreach to new members.
   • Utilize national training for volunteers.
   • Identify institutions with few or no members.
   • Send letter to President/Vice President of individual acknowledging leadership in NACADA.
   • Initiate career member services booth at regional conferences.
   • Organize drive-in workshops.
   • Determine how to reach faculty advisors.
2. Advance the body of knowledge of academic advising.
   • Create a research committee to promote student research and research grants.
   • Use region money for grants.
3. Champion the educational role of advising.
• Provide tuition scholarships for the advising certificate program.
• Continue the work of the current region committee on the usage of regional funds.
• Identify the higher education organizations in the region for collaboration.
4. Promote the involvement of diverse populations.
   • Create a committee/task force and set objectives.
   • Identify minority members to get involved in the association.
   • Develop a plan to promote diversity.
   • Identity Native American institutions and invite involvement.

Once the steering committee has decided upon 2-3 issues to address, we would actively solicit regional members' participation to achieve our goals.

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

My membership in NACADA extends back to 1986.  My involvement and commitment to advising goes back even longer, to my first professional position after completing my master's degree in 1974.  It is the ONLY profession of which I have wanted to be a part.  Because I believe in service to my profession, I became active in NACADA Region 2 as the first State Coordinator for Pennsylvania.  My dream and goal was to eventually run for Regional Chair in Region 2, but my move to New Mexico temporarily halted that effort.  I have been a member of Region 10 since 2000 and wish to now fulfil my service to NACADA by running for our region's representative.  NACADA is the most professional, well-organized, and committed organization to which I have ever belonged, and I wish to serve NACADA and my fellow advisers in Region 10 by representing them at the regional level.

• Provide any additional comments or information regarding your past experiences and qualifications that relate to your candidacy for this leadership position.

My leadership experience in professional associations has transpired over 17 years, beginning with ACHE, then moving to NACADA and NMAAA.  I have been the Chair of a region with responsibilities for four programs a year as well as a budget and committees, have Chaired a tri-regional conference comprising four states, have co-Chaired the Region 10 Conference, am Program Chair for the 2006 Region 10 conference, have co-Chaired the state advising conference, and have been on several program committees as well as other committees.  This extensive experience, including positions in two NACADA regions, provides me with a great background from which to lead the region.  My organizational skills are exceptional, and I believe that my inclusive, collaborative style allows those working with me to feel valued and appreciated.