• Served as former co-chair of the Peer Advising and Mentoring Interest Group and former Chair of the Peer Advising and Mentoring Commission in its first year as an official commission.
• Presented nationally and regionally on the subject of peer advising and mentoring.
  
• Collaborated with fellow peer advising and mentoring unit members to present on best practices in peer mentoring
  
• Assisted in moving interest group to commission status. which was one of the first goals as an interest group co-chair.
  
• Working with current Chair of this unit to enhance NACADA web resources available to peer advising and mentoring commission members.
  
• Completed doctoral dissertation on evaluation within peer advising.
  

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?

One of NACADA's strategic directions is to "anticipate the academic advising needs of twenty-first century students, advisors and institutions." I heard from many members the last two years that they would like to see an area where resources were readily available to all NACADA members interested in creating or enhancing a peer advising and mentoring program. In order to address this need and align with the NACADA strategic direction, the current chair and I have worked together to identify gaps in web resources. This has become the primary goal for the commission over the next few years. This resource would highlight best practices, provide resources for new/continuing members, assist members in evaluating their existing programs, and provide examples of new initiatives and research within the realm of peer advising and mentoring.

Since the economy has created a budget crunch for most of our colleges, I believe it is important more than ever to encourage members of NACADA to think about using peer advising/mentoring as a way to leverage resources on their own campus. The peer advising and mentoring commission, listserv, clearinghouse, and monograph all provide valuable resources to NACADA members interested in starting their own programs without starting from scratch. This commission and listserv is an electronic consulting service for each other as we reach out for answers on how to develop or enhance our own advising and mentoring programs.  

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

I have served as a peer advising program coordinator for Fox Valley Technical College since 2005. I could not have developed and implemented such a program without the expertise and assistance of fellow NACADA members. The program I work with is a continuous improvement project ever semester since I continue to gain best practices ideas from the list-serve, national, regional and state NACADA presentations, and from individual NACADA members. My job is to now provide the assistance I received to other NACADA members who are interested in developing or enhancing their peer advising and mentoring programs.

My latest degree is in Higher Education Leadership (yes, I'm addicted to education) and I enjoy utilizing the leadership skills I learned throughout my experience. The most important concept I learned was to listen to the needs of the organization (NACADA members) and become the voice that reflects these needs. At the same time, it is important to make sure the activities we are carrying out, reflect the strategic directions and goals of the NACADA organization. I feel I have a good understanding of our organization and hope to work closely with you all to meet the individual needs of the peer advising and mentoring commission.

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. 

One of the goals of the peer advising and mentoring commission is to provide support and networking opportunities to those involved in the administration and delivery of peer advising and mentoring programs. It is my hope I have effectively provided this to the commission members in the past and hope to continue such services in the future.

Past Involvement in NACADA:

Years in NACADA: 12 years

National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved While in Office:

• Chair, Peer Advising and Mentoring Commission, 2008-2009

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

• 2009 - WACADA - When Life Throws a Curve Ball: Program Development for Dislocated Workers
  
• 2008 - Region V Conference Presenter - "Values Clarification: A Journey Towards a Healthy Advising Environment"
• 2006 - Region V Conference Presenter - "Developing and Implementing a Peer Advising Program"
• 2004 - WACADA - Advisors' Spa: Rejuvenate Your Mind, Body and Spirit
• 2000 - WACADA - Advisors' Tool Kit
  

Committee/Task Force/Advisory Board Activities and Accomplishments:

• Member, Annual Conference Advisory Board, 2009-2011
• Member, Video Advisory Board, 2009-2011
• Member, Awards Committee Member, 2006-2007
  
• Member, Membership Committee, 2006-2007

Commission/Interest Group Activities and Accomplishments:

• Member, Commission and Interest Group Division Steering Committee, 2009-2011
• Co-Chair, Peer Advising and Mentoring Interest Group, 2007-2008
  • Assisted in moving Interest Group to Commission Status in 2008
  • Presented on Peer Advising related subjects at the Regional and National level.
    
• Currently working with Chair of Peer Advising and Mentoring Commission to update Web resources available to commission members.  
• Current Member:  Peer Advising & Mentoring Commission, Two-Year Colleges Commission, Faculty Advising Commission, Advisor Training & Development Commission 

Other:

• Mentor, NACADA Emerging Leaders Program, 2008-2010
• Co-recipient, NACADA Outstanding Institutional Advising Program, 2009
• Presenter, Advising as Teaching and Learning: Best Practices, Tools, and Tips, 2009
• Panelist, A Panel of Experts: Challenges, Triumphs and Best Practices in Peer Mentoring, 2008
  

• Co-Coordinator of Peer Advising Activities at Fox Valley Technical College, 2005 - current
  

• Writer for Academic Advising Today, 2007-2008
• Doctoral Dissertation: "Evaluation of a Peer Advising Process at a Technical College", 2006
• Recipient of NACADA Scholarship, 2003
  
• Presenter at Annual NACADA Conference on the following subjects:
  
  • 2009 - Advising as Teaching and Learning: Best Practices, Tools, and Tips 

  • 2008 - A Panel of Experts: Challenges, Triumphs, and Best Practices in Peer Mentoring

  • 2005 - Preconference: Advisors' Spa: Rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit
  • 2004 - Advisors' Spa: Rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit
  • 2002 - Advisor's Tool Kit