Jennifer Varney
	Southern New Hampshire University Hooksett, NH
	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 involved with the Adult Learners commission since I joined NACADA, first as a participant and later as a volunteer at the commission fair at the 2008 National Conference and presenter. I presented at the 2008 Region 1 conference with a panel of advisors from area schools and also at the 2008 National conference also with a panel of presenters from all over the country.

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 the most important goals for this commission include:

1. Continue to increase communication between members as was articulated in the current goals. At the meeting interest was expressed in the possibility of a blog in addition to the listserv. I would like to explore this and other communication ideas.
2. To continue to make relevant and useful information available to commission members and adult learners via the web site.
3. To continue to increase commission visibility at state and regional conferences. This may be accomplished through encouraging sessions relating to adult learners, co-presenting with members of other commissions and soliciting members for cross regional and national panel presentations.
4. To tap into the collective wisdom of the commission members and develop a best practices area for advising adult learners.
5. To explore current and emerging trends in advising adult learners:distance education, non matriculated students, etc.

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

I am interested in serving in this position because I believe that learning about and serving the needs of adult learners is going to become increasingly important at our institutions. As the model of the typical student changes and schools evolve to serve students in different ways it is vital for advisors to be at the cutting edge of these developments in order to best formulate them and serve the students.

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 very passionate about students. I have been working with adult learners for over ten years-both as an instructor and as an advisor. I am also an adult learner as I occasionally work on a doctorate degree. I believe that adult learners bring particular challenges to institutions and in order to best serve them we need to understand their challenges and share our best practices and research in serving their needs, and I believe that many times this means going completely beyond the bounds of expectation . If elected I would humbly serve this commission to the best of my ability.

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:

• Presenter at Region 1 conference, 2008
• Presenter at Region 1 conference, 2007

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Recipient, Certificate of appreciation for outstanding commission volunteerism, Advising Adult Learners Commission, 2008
• Member:  Advising Adult Learners Commission, Advising Graduate & Professional Students Commission, Distance Education Advising Commission, Advisor Training & Development Commission

Other:

• Presenter at NACADA national conference, 2008
• Presenter, Education Dynamics National Dialogue on Student Retention, June 2008
• Graduate student advisor and liaison between online and campus students and offices.
• Faculty member for 10 years working with adult learners.
• Online student.