Jane Jacobson, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 23 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

• Member, Board of Directors, 2004-2007
• Vice President, 2005-2006 — promoted New Advising Professionals initiative, promoted Diversity initiative including Emerging Leaders proposal. 
• Chair, Region 6, 1998-2000 and 2000-2002 —
  • held first Regional NACADA conference at a Tribal College
  • initiated regional scholarships for Tribal college advisers and graduate students
  • initiated the NACADA Best of Region presentations

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

• Presenter at several regional conferences, most recently on Emotional Disabilities
• Region 6 Regional Conference Chair, 1994
• Member, 3 other conference planning committees

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Chair, Board of Directors Task Force on Organizational Review, 2005-2006
• Member, Diversity Committee, 2004-2006 — served on task force to develop Emerging Leaders Program.
• Member, NACADA Reorganization Task Force

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current Member — Advising Administration Commission, Liberal Arts Advisors Commission, Assessment of Advising Commission, New Advising Professionals Interest Group

Other:

• Activities at Iowa State University —
  • Current Co-chair, implementation committee for new academic probation policy
  • Co-chair, University Academic Advising Committee — currently writing new university-wide mission statement for academic advising
  • Conducted survey of academic advisers and survey of student views of academic advising, , 2005-2006 — working with associate deans to implement changes suggested by results
  • Member, university task force that rewrote the university academic probation policy
  • Member, university committees for course availability, orientation, learning communities, registration & classification
• Presenter, International First Year Experience Conference, 2006

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 served during the past year on the task force that developed the Emerging Leaders program. I have been a strong supporter of this initiative since its inception. As a member of the Board of Directors I urged the Board to make a financial investment in diversity to match our rhetoric. The adoption of the Emerging Leaders program by the Board is an affirmation of that commitment.

As a member of Region 6, I strongly supported efforts to reach out to the Tribal Colleges in our region. One of the initiatives was the creation of a "scholarship" program to encourage advisers at Tribal Colleges to attend NACADA events.

• 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?

The primary goal should be the successful launch of the Emerging Leaders program. This is critical for the future of NACADA, but more importantly it is critical for the next generation of academic advising professionals. The initiation of the program will coincide with my term as chair of the committee. I believe I can give it strong leadership.

A second goal is continuing to integrate diversity into all aspects of NACADA. I do not want the Emerging Leaders program to be seen as relieving other units and leaders from addressing issues of access and nurturing future leaders.

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

I am strongly committed personally and professionally to the goals of the Emerging Leaders program. I am equally committed to nurturing the next generation of academic advising professionals.

I have a long-standing personal commitment to issues of diversity and to ensuring access to underrepresented populations.

• 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. 

Last year as NACADA Vice President I had the opportunity to attend several regional conferences other than my own. I gained an increased awareness of who the underrepresented populations within the regions are and some the challenges and possibilities for outreach at different levels of NACADA. I also deepened my commitment to nurturing the next generation of NACADA leadership.

My service on the Board of Directors will end in 2007. As I reflected on what aspects of NACADA are most meaningful to me, I decided that the work of the Diversity Committee was an area in which I wanted to invest my energy and hope to make a difference. I think my experience on the Board will enhance my ability to help the Diversity Committee achieve its goals and to launch the Emerging Leaders Program.