My involvement in the Undecided and Exploratory Students Commission has been limited.  Whether or not I am chosen to serve as Commission Chair, I look forward to much greater involvement this year.

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?

Exploring students require developmental advising that encourages them to be open to all of the educational and enrichment opportunities available on our campuses.  They must be encouraged to view the major-selection process as more than the selection of courses and the completion of a degree; but rather, as a developmental process that can help them better understand who they are, what they love and how to find educational and vocational opportunities that are aligned with their values, interests and strengths.  

The most important goals for this Commission are:

1. Develop strong partnerships across universities.  Partnerships allow us to exchange ideas, share successes/challenges and, thus, strengthen our practice.  
2. Design at least one commission-sponsored presentation for both the national and regional conferences each year.  
3. Advocate for the unique and critical role of undecided and exploratory advising at our institutions.
   

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

Only three months after starting at Seattle University, I attended my first NACADA conference in Las Vegas.  I had the opportunity to meet both new and veteran advisors and to experience the diversity of advising firsthand.  At that time, I had no idea that academic advising would become my vocation, my calling - my experience at that first conference certainly helped guide me there.

I would love the opportunity to work with other members of the Commission and to serve in a leadership position.  I believe that both will strengthen my advising practice and body of knowledge.

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 love advising.  I believe that it helps students make meaning of their education and that it can be the difference between a good college experience and an outstanding one.

Lastly, I'm not sure who nominated me for this position, but I am both grateful and honored!

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:

• Attendee, Region 8 Conferences, 2010, 2007, 2006

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Current Member: Commission on Undecided & Exploratory Students, Theory & Philosophy of Advising Commission, Advisor Training & Development Commission, Advising First-Year Students Interest Group

Other:

• Seattle University activities:
  • Director, Premajor Studies Program, beginning January 2010 -- Premajor Studies provides academic support to students who have not yet decided on a major or vocational path. We provide the framework, programming and resources necessary to help students make informed decisions about choosing a major. We help students define their goals by helping them assess their personal strengths, interests and values as they relate to their choice of major, their overall education and their vocational path.
    
  • Academic Specialist, Fostering Scholars Program, September 2008-Present -- The Fostering Scholars Program was established at Seattle University in 2006 to support youth who emancipate from foster care. The program provides both scholarship assistance and additional support critical to retention and academic success. The academic specialist role is a partnership designed by the Program's director and myself to serve the specific academic advising needs of the students.
    
  • Member, Seattle University Advising Council, 2008-Present -- The Council consists of SU's professional advisors and is charged with the design of a new advising system and serves as to represent the advising profession to University's administration.
• Submitted presentation proposal titled, "I 'Heart' Premajor: A Toolkit for Discerning Students" for the 2007 National Conference in Baltimore, MD
• Attendee, NACADA Annual Conferences, 2008, 2007, 2005