Janet Spence
	University of Louisville Louisville, KY
	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?

As a member of the Advising Administration Commission, I have attended the commission meeting at annual conferences. I took 19 advisors and advising center directors to the NACADA Advising Administrators' Conference in 2005 and in 2006 I returned with 6 of the 19 to continue our work. Participating in two of the administrators' institutes gives me the experience and insight needed to offer assistance in expanding upon the good work of the institute.

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? 

One of NACADA's important strategic goals is outlined in 1-A of NACADA's Strategic Planning Document. It states, "Identify, prioritize, and address critical issues facing academic advising." Advising administrators face shrinking budgets for hiring and developing advisors and are often asked to do more without additional resources. The Advising Administration Commission can assist NACADA in reaching goal 1-A by creating a mechanism to share success stories of advising administrators. We can all learn from each other. What works and what doesn't work in meeting the critical issues in the world of advising administration can be an important tool for advising administrators.

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

I served in the trenches for many years as an academic advisor, served as an assistant dean overseeing advising in an academic college of the university, and currently serve as a university-wide advising administrator. I have seen and experienced three sides of the advising world and I believe that the Advising Administration Commission can be an invaluable resource to advising administrators. As an advising administrator, I have experienced, first hand, the challenges and pressures of meeting the needs of students, advisors and the university administration. Assisting the university in improving student persistence is something that advising administrators face daily. By leading this commission, I will have the privileged opportunity to serve my colleagues across the association and hopefully assist them in meeting their advising administrator's challenges.

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 enjoy working in a leadership role and believe I have the skills necessary to be a successful chair of the commission. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the members of the commission and believe that together we can make a positive difference in the professional lives of advising administrators.

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 16 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

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

• Kentucky liaison to Region 3 Steering Committee:
  • Promoted NACADA in Kentucky by sending emails professional advisors, faculty advisors and advising administrators at higher education institutions in Kentucky
  • Promoted Kentucky drive-in conferences
• Served on annual region conference planning committees
• Served as co-chair of Region 3 conference in Louisville, KY in 2005
• Presented at numerous regional NACADA conferences

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current member, NACADA Leadership Orientation Task Force

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current member — Advising Administration Commission, Advisor Training and Development Commission, Technology in Advising Commission, Probation/Dismissal/Reinstatement Issues Interest Group

Other:

• Attended NACADA Summer Institute in 2004
• Presented at numerous annual NACADA conferences
• University of Louisville activities —
  • Led University of Louisville in the development of a university-wide advising plan including the creation of an advising mission, vision, goals and objectives, and student learning outcomes.
  • Led advisors and served on the management team in the development of STOMP, Student Tutorial On-Line Module Program; STOMP received the 2007 NACADA Innovative Advising Technology Award.
  • Led/chaired numerous university-wide advising committees
  • Served as Assistant Dean for Student Services and Advising in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville for four years.
  • Currently hold the position of Director of Undergraduate Advising Practice, a position charged with promoting consistent advising practice across the University of Louisville.