Erin Kainer
	Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
	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?

In the years I have been a member of this commission, I have actively sought out volunteer opportunities and career growth offered by the commission. Currently, I have volunteered to review proposals for the 2008 NACADA Annual Conference, make revisions to the monograph Advising Students with Disabilities, coordinate the online bibliography and write articles for Academic Advising Today. I have enthusiastically worked to get the department of Student Disability Services at Texas Tech University more involved in NACADA as a whole and this commission in particular. I feel as an academic counselor in our Student Disability Services office, I have a unique voice to share with the commission.

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? 

Among the goals and initiatives that NACADA speaks to in the organizational strategic plan, I believe the Disabilities Commission can best promote goals one, two and five.

• Goal one is to address the academic advising needs of higher education. The number of students with disabilities on college and university campuses continues to grow each year. The Disabilities Commission is uniquely prepared to address the needs of advisors who will be assisting this diverse population. Through articles, research, presentations and list serves, the commission could increase awareness and provide an immense amount of information to advisors across the nation.
• Goal two is to advance the body of knowledge of academic advising. Here again, the Disabilities Commission should be finding research and creating new research in regards to advising students with disabilities on college campuses. The Advising Students with Disabilities monograph and online bibliography perfect opportunities to address this goal as well.
• Goal five is to promote the involvement of diverse populations in the Association. The Disabilities Commission should use its resources to attract advisors/student affairs professionals from areas other than just traditional academic advising offices. Many other departments on campuses would benefit from membership in a highly effective organization such as NACADA; particularly staff from disability services, counseling, and campus life.

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

The past two years, I have noticed that the commission isn’t very active or well represented. The information on the NACADA web site is very outdated, few articles are submitted by commission members on the subject on advising students with disabilities. While there are some presentations being done on the subjects related to the commission, more could be done to increase the number and variety of those presentations. The commission could more actively recruit NACADA members from student disability offices, campus life, counseling, etc.

I feel my current position as Unit Coordinator for Marketing and Public Relations for Texas Tech University’s Student Disability Services and as an academic counselor for students with disabilities gives me the experience needed to chair this commission. My background and work activities span many areas that would maximize the commission’s exposure and effectiveness.

In past years, when I have volunteered to assist with commission activities, the commission has not always followed through. I am an activator with the energy and ability to transform ideas into actions. I would continuously look for ways that committee members could contribute to NACADA in general and the commission specifically. I would encourage members to write and present, and give possible topics for them to use.

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 am a highly motivated, passionate and versatile professional with a long history of working to inspire and empower individuals. I have extensive experience working with diverse groups of people and the knowledge to organizing and facilitating events. I am an energetic and outgoing speaker with the ability to act as a catalyst to motivate others to action.

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 3 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

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

• Upon selection, will be presenting a presentation at the Region 7 conference in March 2008.

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Am current member and have been a member of the Advising Students with Disabilities Commission for three years, and will be working on many activities to benefit the commission this year, including reviewing proposals for the 2008 NACADA Annual Conference, revisions to the NACADA monograph Advising Students with Disabilities, coordinating the on-line annotated bibliography, and writing articles for Advising Today.
• Current member — Undecided & Exploratory Students Commission, Large Universities Interest Group, Academic Coaching Potential Interest Group

Other:

• Texas Tech University activities —
  • Nov 2007, Weekly workshop on Stress Relief
  • Nov 2007, Deans Luncheon presentation on working with students with disabilities
  • Oct 2007, Advisor Luncheon presentation on helping students with disabilities prepare for registration
  • 08-06 to present, Biannual TTU Student Disability Services Newsletter
  • 08-06 to present, Student Disability Services Scholarship Committee
  • 08-06 to present, Faculty Guide to Working with Students with Disabilities
  • 08-04 to present, TTU Student Affairs Connections Committee
  • 08-04 to present, Weekly trainings/workshops on topics such as MBTI, getting organized, paper writing, assertiveness, Greek involvement, study skills, learning styles, and test taking skills.