Karen Schiferl
	University of Mississippi University, MS
	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 been a member of NACADA for 3 years and an active member of the Advising Student Athletes Commission for all those years. I was introduced to the Commission by current Chair Janice Robinson prior to actually joining NACADA and since attending NACADA conferences I have actively sought to be involved with the Commission. In my very first year, I joined the Steering Committee and soon after was approached by Jenifer Schiebler who coordinates the NACADA/NCAA Partnership Initiative from the National Office to serve as a facilitator of the online course on Student-Athlete Academic Reform. I have since facilitated the course for a second year and look forward to a third in the Spring of 2009.

During my second year as a NACADA member, I presented at the National Conference on how athletic academic advisors and campus advisors can collaborate for student success (Presentation title: Down, Set, Advise). It was also during my second year that I was able to participate in the inaugural Student-Athlete Advising Institute. During my third year, I served as a review team member for the Monograph entitled Advising Student-Athletes: A Collaborative Approach to Success.

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?

NACADA is the leader for the theory, delivery, application and advancement of academic advising to enhance student learning and development. I believe that this commission, like all commissions, play a vital role in this vision.

NACADA has developed some wonderful strategic goals to address its vision and I believe that two of these goals are of particular importance to the commission: Strategic Goal 2: Advance the body of knowledge of academic advising and Strategic Goal 4) Educate university and college decision makers about the role of quality academic advising in higher education.

Strategic Goal 2: Often times there are two units working to "advise" student-athletes. One may be a campus advising unit, while the other may be an "athletic" advising unit. We need to bridge the gap between these two units so the "us v. them" mentality is diminished. Student-athletes are a "special" population, but as educators we all need to understand that they are students first and as with any special population, working together as academic advisors can enhance the development of these students. This commission can help to promote and support research related to the enhancement of academic advising through further understanding of the student-athlete, the campus environment, advising processes, or other related areas such as NCAA rules and Academic Reform.

Strategic Goal 4: The sub-goal to this strategic goal is to identify and develop practical strategies and materials for use by college and university leadership. As we work together to create an awareness of the distinct needs of student-athletes, we can develop model practices to be implemented by campus leaders. Again, student-athletes can be considered a "special" population, but the fact remains that they are students at the institutions we serve so we must have a goal of providing information and resources to assist our campus community in providing quality advisement for these students.

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

My interest in this position is a result of a variety of influences. First, Janice Robinson and I have shared numerous conversations regarding the commission over the years and I was deeply honored that she supported nominating me for this role so that the commission can continue to move forward.

Second, the timing of NCAA Academic Reform and the partnership of NACADA and NCAA makes this an awesome time to be a leader. I see myself as the type of person who enjoys being on the front end of exciting opportunities. The NACADA/NCAA partnership is clearly a positive, proactive venture that continues to foster communication and knowledge among academic advisors who work both inside and outside the athletics department.

Third, I truly believe that being a member of this profession and this organizations provides wonderful opportunities to learn and grow. I have been met many amazing people and I feel it is of the utmost importance to return the favor by serving those who mean so much to me in my professional and personal life.

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.

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:

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Member, NACADA Monograph Review Team -- Advising Student-Athletes: A Collaborative Approach to Success; Monograph Series, Number 18, 2008

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Member, Advising Student Athletes Commission
  • Steering Committee member; 2006-present

Other:

• NACADA activities:
  • NACADA Student-Athlete Advising Institute participant; May 2007
  • NACADA/NCAA Student-Athlete Academic Reform online course instructor; Spring 2007, Spring 2008
  • Presenter at NACADA National Conference workshop (2007-Baltimore)
• Indiana University activities:
  • Indiana University Alumni Association; 1983-present
  • Indiana University Student Personnel Association; 1991-present
• National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) member; 1996-present
  • N4A Community Service Coordinator; 1999-2006
  • N4A Executive Board; 2000-2006
  • N4A Professional Promise Award Winner; 2001
  • N4A Distinguished Service Award Winner; 2007
  • N4A/NCAA Academic Reform Educational Initiative - APR instructional workshop presenter; 2007-08
• National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) activities:
  • NCAS member: 1996-present
  • NCAS national conference participant; 2002, 2004, 2008
• NCAA activities:
  • NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Continuing Education participant; 1997, 2001-2006
  • NCAA Division I Regional Student-Athlete Leadership Conference; Fall 2004
  • NCAA Regional Rules Seminar participant; 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008
• Houghlin-Mifflin Becoming A Master Student-Athlete Editorial Board; 2005
• Sunbelt Conference Academic Summit Presenter, Spring 2008
• University of Maryland's President's Commission (Athletic Department representative); 2000-2003
• Women's Sports Foundation member; 1998-present