This fall, I was awarded the NACADA Outstanding New Advisor Award, and thus was able to attending the national conference for the first time. While there, I attended the Advising High Achieving Students commission meeting. I was already on the listserv for a few, but I didn't really understand how commissions worked until this experience. Now that I get it, I cannot wait to be as involved as possible.

Since the conference, I was asked to write the scenario for "Advising High Achieving Students" advising training video with Kathie Sindt from Johns Hopkins University.  

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?

Members of this commission are currently being presented with an amazing opportunity to create the standard for advising the high-achieving student. Much research about this specific population already exists, but little has been applied to the "science" of advising.

Like high-achievers themselves, now that we are a commission, it is easy to be overly excited and want to do everything all at once! We all have so many ideas!! What I offer the group is not only the ridiculously high-energy needed for big picture planning, but also the organizational skills and desire to put ideas into action: recreating and updating a comprehensive clearinghouse, creating task forces and research groups to seek out the best practices of the best high-achieving advisors in the country and putting stuff down on paper. Publishing, practicing, defining, assessing: putting our tangible mark on the world of advising.

Those who know me best know one of my greatest strengths is that I am a "doer". And I always find great satisfaction in collaborating with fellow administrators and creating think-tanks to tackle issues, so it would be a great honor to do so on a larger scale. What I have come to appreciate most about NACADA is the strong network of supportive individuals. I look forward to widening my circle.

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

As the Associate Director of the Honors Program at Temple University, I primarily advise undergraduate Honors students. Despite the fact they are academically talented, often they are scared to put themselves out there to apply for the "big fish" prize. My simple response to them: "You won't win if you don't apply." Now, I am taking the risk and taking my own advice!

I am thrilled to apply for Chair of the Advising High Achieving Students Commission. As someone who is invested in both the academic and the student development sides of the house, I feel as though my insights, energy and fresh perspective make me a unique and well-qualified candidate for this position.
My ultimate career goals have remained the same for as long as I can remember: to work with and for others. For me, leadership is as much about service as it is example. What does this mean? Establishing solid relationships; working as part of a team; inspiring others to succeed; encouraging positive, effective change. Serving as chair will certainly help me in accomplishing these objectives.

I bring a fresh perspective with a great passion for this population of students and will work tirelessly to be sure it grows to be a strong, successful and well-respected commission.  The current high-achieving college students are the future major leaders of this country and I would be honored to represent the group of academics and administrators dedicated to cultivating their success.

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. 

For me, being successful is to never stop learning. I am comfortable in a leadership role, my personality type is very well suited for it. (In case you were wondering, I am a ENFJ as determined by Myers-Briggs. (same as Barack Obama and Oprah!)

I continuously try to instill in my students the power needed to make educated decisions and gain courage with their own lives. I am lucky enough to have found and followed my passion, I pour my whole life into what I do. Through this experience, I look forward to learning more about leadership, myself, my colleagues, high-achievers, and the field of academic advising as a whole. Perhaps most importantly, however, I want this opportunity to show my students that once you find what it is you are meant to do, you should never stop working at being the best you can be, constantly renewing and challenging yourself.

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:

• NACADA Region-2 Outstanding New Advisor Award- 2009
  
• Region-2 Annual Conference Attendee - 2009
• Presenter, NACADA Pennsylvania State Drive-In -- 2007, 2008
  
• Member, NACADA Pennsylvania State Drive-In Planning Committee -- 2007, 2008 

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current Member: Advising High Achieving Students Interest Group, Assessment of Advising Commission, Peer Advising & Mentoring Commission, Advising First-Year Students Interest Group

Other:

• Recipient, NACADA Outstanding New Advisor Award, 2009
• Member, Association of College Personnel Administrators (ACPA), 2007-2009
• Facilitator, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) - PA East Chapter, 2006-2009
  
• Member, National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC), 2006 - 2008
  
• Member, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), 2007-2008
  
• Recipient, Outstanding New Advisor Award - Academic Advising Group, Temple University, 2008
  
• NCHC Portz Grant Award Recipient, 2007
  
• Presentations:
  • Neuber, A. "Do-It-Yourself Program Assessment" Presentation at ACPA Annual National Conference, Washington DC. March, 2009
    
  • Neuber, A. "Do-It-Yourself Program Assessment" Presentation at NACADA Pennsylvania State Drive-In, Schnecksville, PA. November, 2008.
    
  • Neuber, A., Adinolfi, A., Gebauer, R. "Bright Ideas for Bright Students: How to include High-Achievers in Advising and Programming." Presentation at ACPA Annual National Conference, Atlanta, GA. March 2008
    
  • Neuber, A., Adinolfi, A. "Bright Ideas for Bright Students: Advising & Programming for High-Achievers." Presentation at NACADA Pennsylvania State Drive-In, Ambler, PA. November, 2007.
    
  • Neuber A., Oliver, R. "Creative Tensions in Honors Recruitment." Presentation at the National Collegiate Honors Council Conference, Denver, CO. November, 2007.
    
  • Neuber, A., Ost, R. "Honors and the University: Permeable Membrane or Brick Wall." Presentation at the  National Collegiate Honors Council Conference, Denver, CO. November, 2007.