Kevin Jerrolds
	University of Alabama-Birmingham Birmingham, AL
	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 have participated in Region 4 meetings at national conferences for the past 5 years. I have no previous leadership experience in Region 4 but I believe that I could be an effective leader with the kind support of my school, state, and regional colleagues.

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? 

I believe that the previous leadership of the region did an amazing job of getting people active and interested in NACADA. I hope to continue that practice. With that in mind I see three goals as vitally important to the future of our region and NACADA as a whole. Those goals are increased connectivity, increased support, and increased research.

I feel that we need to strengthen the connections between institutions, especially between community colleges and universities and offer support for advisors to get involved with NACADA. Mentoring, ongoing communication, assisting in the further development of state and institution conferences, and the continuation of excellent region 4 conferences will help to strengthen these connections. We should be active in offering support for advisors from both our home institutions and our sister institutions to attend conferences. The promotion and encouragement of more leadership and involvement is vital to the success of our region and NACADA as a whole.

I feel that there is a great need for more academic research in advising. Scholarly research will help cement the advising as teaching model, further promote and support existing best advising practices, develop new paradigms, and further the development of our profession as whole.

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

While I feel that each of us have a duty to help steer the course of whatever organization(s) we belong to, the main thing that influenced me to run for this position was the overwhelming support of my institution. I had wanted to get more involved with NACADA but always felt that I would not be able to devote the time necessary. While I was at the national conference this year several peers from my institution told me that they were going to nominate me for this position and that I should accept. That boost of confidence from so many of my peers gave me the jump-start I needed to get involved in NACADA leadership. I feel that if I had helped to motivate that many people in the recent past at my home institution which has a decentralized advising system then perhaps I could work as well in the larger arena of NACADA.

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 feel that my experiences as an advisor for exploratory/undecided students, a counselor, a grad student, a university student, a community college student, a first generation college student, and as a leader in advising at my home institution will help me in this position if I were elected. I also think that the support and encouragement of my home institution will be instrumental in any success I have as a leader. Advising and leadership are not solitary activities. Luckily I have wonderful support in both areas!

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 6 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

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

• Attended Region 4 conferences — 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current member — Undecided & Exploratory Students Commission; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, & Allies Concerns Commission

Other:

• In the past 5 years, I have
  • served as President and Secretary of UAB's Committee on Academic Advising (CAA)
  • served as advisor for the UAB chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta the National Honor Society for First Year Students
  • been awarded the NACADA Outstanding New Advisor Award in 2005, the UAB New Advisor of the Year 2005, and the Alpha Lambda Delta Executive Director Advisor Award, 2007
  • served on various UAB committees such the Advising Task Force on Advising Curriculum, New Student Orientation Planning Committee, CAA New Advisor Training Committee, and Freshmen Learning Communities Committee