Lisa Peck, Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA:  8 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

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

• Attended regional conferences from 2000 through 2003

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current Member — Advising Adult Learners Commission, Undecided & Exploratory Students Commission, Theory & Philosophy of Advising Commission, Distance Education Advising Interest Group

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Volunteered to be regional liaison to Advising Adult Learners Commission

Other:

• Activities at Western Connecticut State University —
  • Administrative Faculty Advisor, Older Wiser Learners (O.W.L.s) - W.C.S.U. non-traditional student organization
  • Initiating chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda at W.C.S.U.
• Academic advisor (at previous institution, Post University) for 650 to 800 adult learners, every eight weeks, in accelerated program
• Presented at NACADA (2005) and AACRAO (2004) National Conferences
• Assisted with Adult Learner Commission poster session, 2005 NACADA conference  

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?  

Although I have only been a member of the Adult Learners Commission for the past three years, I have benefited from interaction with my peers, who work with the adult learner population. Whether through the list-serve or at the NACADA conferences, I have been afforded an opportunity to share ideas with advising professionals who work with this unique, and yet often under-supported population.

• 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 most important goals of the Adult Learners Commission include: assessing the unique needs of adult learners, nationwide and on individual campuses; sharing strategies to enhance communication with campus administrators about the needs of adult learners, and implementing positive changes on our campuses for the benefit of this population.

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

As a former non-traditional student, myself, I experienced much of the excitement (okay, "anxiety") and many of the challenges (translation: keeping all the balls in the air) that adult learners bring to higher education. Since becoming an academic advisor to an all-adult population in 1999, I realized that I am passionate about assisting other adult learners with not only their academic goals, but with their assimilation into the campus culture.

As Chair of the Adult Learners Commission, I would hope to continue facilitating dialogue among those of us who work with the adult learner population to strengthen our network, and therefore, strengthening our voices on campus.

• 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.