I've been an advisor to Undeclared and Exploratory (U/E) students since joining NACADA in the fall of 2004 and have consequently been an active voice on the list serve of the Commission on Undecided and Exploratory Students (CUES) ever since. I've also served on the CUES steering committee since 2008. It was my pleasure to present "Your Own Open Road: VCU's Discovery Advising Program for Undeclared and Exploratory Students at the 2009 region 2 and Annual Conference" a program focusing on VCU's award winning (NACDA and Noel-Levitz, 2008) program.

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?

Insofar as the primary mission of the Commission on Undecided and Exploratory Students is to advance and improve advising for this specialized and frequently at-risk population, collecting and disseminating pertinent research and resources are central goals of current Commission leadership. A continuation of this process is not only vital to the Commission, but also to all five of the Association's strategic goals:
 
Strategic Goal 1: Address the academic advising needs of higher education globally.

All undeclared and exploratory students present the same challenges, regardless of institutional size or focus, mission or philosophy. I propose the Commission continue to serve as a sort of clearinghouse and central communication hub for CUES advisors spread far afield.

Strategic Goal 2: Advance the body of knowledge of academic advising.

Through collaborative scholarly endeavors, the Commission can add to the body of literature on the topic of advising undeclared and exploratory students with contemporary insights for an ever-evolving university climate and world of work.  

Strategic Goal 3: Champion the educational role of academic advising to enhance student learning and development in a diverse world.

In no specialized field of advising is the role of advising as teaching more evident than in the learner-centered approach of self-reflective exploration proposed by the current Commission leadership focus I would continue to champion. CUES advising IS learner-centered teaching.

Strategic Goal 4: Educate university and college decision makers about the role of quality academic advising in higher education.

In many cases, as is the case at my institution, U/E students represent a significant persistence and academic success risk. VCU's U/E program, Discovery Advising, has recently won two national awards for our success in both areas in addition to the respect of administrators and decision makers at higher levels within the university. In similar ways, the sharing of knowledge and approaches within the Commission can empower other campuses advising centers to further this key Association goal.  

Strategic Goal 5:  Ensure the effectiveness of the NACADA organization.

I prefer to think of organizational strength from a gestalt point of view, appreciating that NACADA will only be as strong as each of its individual commissions, interest groups and programs. By strengthening each, we build a stronger whole.

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

I've gained so much from my affiliation with NACADA that I'm eager to serve -- to give back to the Association in as many ways as I am able. Bolstered by the encouragement of all those who have mentored me and aided by the collaboration I've enjoyed with fellow advisors on countless presentations and consultations, I've identified ways in which the discipline of academic advising can be advanced. As I discover more in the leadership role I hold at my home institution, I look forward to the opportunity I'd be afforded by this NACADA leadership role to share that knowledge, amass it with the input of others and leverage it on behalf of the Association.

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: 5 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

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

• Co-chair, 2011Region 2 Conference
• Steering Committee member, 2010 Region 2 Conference

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Steering Committee Member, Undecided and Exploratory Students Commission, 2008-current
  
• Steering Committee Member, Technology in Advising Commission, 2008-current 
• Proposal reader for annual conference, Technology in Advising Commission, 2008, 2009
• Current Member: Commission on Undecided & Exploratory Students, Technology in Advising Commission, Advising Administration Commission, Theory & Philosophy of Advising Commission

Other:

• Presentations focused on VCU's Undeclared/Exploratory program, Discovery Advising: '09 Region 2 and Annual Conferences
  
• Presentations focused on the use of Social Media in Advising --
  
  • Presenter, NACADA Annual Conferences in 2007 and 2008
    
  • Presenter, Southern Association of Collegiate Admissions and Registrars Officers, February 2008
    
  • Presenter as NACADA Consultant, Edmonton Alberta, Canada, May of 2008.
• Director of Discovery Advising (VCU's program for undeclared and exploratory students), July 2008 to present.
  
  • Our program was recently awarded both a Certificate of Merit from NACADA and a Noel-Levitz award for programmatic excellence (2008).