Rob Mossack, Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 8 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

• Chair, Awards Committee, 2005-present — responsible for leading committee in decisions regarding policies, rules, etc. Expanded size of core committee. Reworked wording of guidelines for several awards, along with changes in the nomination forms.
• Chair, Region 3 (Mid South), 2003-2005 — membership increased from 300 to almost 600. Record attendance at 2005 Region conference in Louisville, KY. Encouraged states to increase outreach to members through state meetings, drive-ins. Initiated outreach to affiliated organizations in area.  

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

• Region 3 (Mid South) Steering Committee, 2003-present
• Region 3 Conference Proposal Selection Committee, 2004, 2006
• Region 3 Conference Committee, 2006 
• Presented at Region 3 Conferences, 2003, 2004, 2005

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Member, Awards Committee/Core Committee, 2004-present
• Member, Awards Committee-Faculty Advising Awards Selection Committee, 2003-2005
• Member, Core Values Task Force, 2003

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current member — Small Colleges and Universities Commission - Reader for national conference presentation proposals, 2005
• Current member, Faculty Advising Commission, Probation/Dismissal/Reinstatement Issues Interest Group, Appreciative Advising Interest Group

Other:

• Attended all NACADA National Conferences since 2002 (also attended 1995)
• Presented at NACADA National Conference, 2004 (Cincinnati)
• Recipient, Summer Institute Scholarship (2001); attended 2001 Summer Institute (Vancouver)
• Participated in NACADA Leadership Program, 2002-2003
• Presented at Tennessee/Kentucky State Drive-in, 2005
• Activities at Lipscomb University —
  • Significantly increased academic support offerings (workshops, etc.), 2005
  • Initiated awards program for advising, 2003
  • Developed new approach for working with deciding students, 2002
  • Restructured supplemental instruction programs, 2001
  • Serve as campus coordinator of StrengthsQuest program, 2002-present
• Presented at Gallup's national Strengths-Based Campuses Conference, 2005   

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's been my privilege to serve in NACADA leadership roles since 2003, including both the Regional and Administrative divisions. My experiences have led me to appreciate more fully the diversity of ideas, interests, skills and talents that are hallmarks of the association's membership.

As chair for Region 3 (Mid South), I was able to enjoy a focus on personal interaction with NACADA members from the five states comprising the region. Membership grew from around 300 to around 575, and we were able to enjoy a record attendance at the 2005 Region Conference in Louisville, KY. We began an awards program to recognize outstanding advisors in the region, and attempted to encourage the individual states to reach out to their members with state meetings and drive-in conferences.

My experiences as chair of the national Awards Committee have been more administrative and decision-making in nature. It's been a treat to work with the Oversight Committee in tweaking policies and rules to make the awards process more efficient and fair. In addition, the years I have served on the Awards Committee have brought a great appreciation for our colleagues who are doing great work in the advising field, both in personal interaction with students and in programming on their campuses. Reading nomination packets is a great way to find encouragement and motivation for your own efforts.

It was an honor to be asked to serve on the task force for Core Values in 2003. It was stimulating to be involved in an exchange of ideas with colleagues regarding the underlying values we as an association want to express regarding our work.

I also consider my involvement in the Commission/Interest group division very valuable, particularly my membership in the Commission for Small Colleges and Universities. More than once I have received valuable insights, data, and ideas from colleagues, either on the listserve, or through personal conversation.

• 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?

I am very appreciative of the work that has been done the past few years by the Board and various committees and task forces in formulating NACADA's strategic plan. That hard work has given us a blueprint for success and a sense of direction as an organization. Because we as an organization will continue to grow and evolve, I feel certain that the strategic plan will also do the same.

Areas of particular personal interest:

1. One of the greatest services NACADA can provide for its membership is the opportunity for professional development, whether it be through conferences, institutes, and workshops, or through the encouraging of professional networking and relationship-building. I would advocate strongly for a continuing emphasis in this area.

2. I believe strongly that NACADA is the premier professional organization for the field of academic advising (and frankly, for academic support of all types!). We need to continue to work hard to be an organization that is respected, recognized, and looked to for leadership in the higher education community. In other words, we need to always be sensitive to and ready to act on opportunities to impact that community (the Consultants Bureau is a good example).

3. This year's emphasis on raising a new generation of advising professionals has been excellent, and it's one we need to continue to pursue. NACADA should be at the forefront when it comes to convincing young adults that advising is a worthwhile profession to pursue, and in providing support and encouragement to those who do so.

4. For NACADA to thrive as an organization, it is imperative that we continue to encourage and develop fresh legions of leaders. I would like to see an even stronger emphasis on expanding the number of leadership opportunities available, and a concerted effort made to place new faces in those positions.

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

I would like to think that, because of my varied experiences in the organization, I have something to offer in serving on the board. More than that, I am interested in serving the membership, especially at the level of formulating ideas, bringing members' interests to the table, and helping NACADA set a course that will help our profession to thrive and grow (and gain the respect it deserves), and then help us grow as individuals in that profession. I would consider it an honor to be able to serve in that way.

• 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 do think that my professional experiences have given me an appreciation for all of the work that our members do---I've been in the classroom, and I've worked the administrative side as well. I consider my self a "people-person," but at the same time have an analytical and intuitive side that would serve me well in working with the board.