Program Objectives

• To identify potential local, regional and national leaders from underrepresented groups who are interested in leadership development and leadership involvement in the association

• To identify Mentors from among experienced NACADA leadership to guide Emerging Leaders through a two-year leadership development program as they grow in their leadership in the association

• To provide Emerging Leaders with a two-year leadership development program which will develop their leadership skills for the association

• To provide opportunities for Emerging Leaders to reach out to colleagues and peers from underrepresented groups and serve as Mentors to future NACADA leaders

• To provide the support network needed and desired to foster a strong leadership development program for underrepresented populations in our association

Just two years after the program's beginning, members of the Emerging Leaders Classes now serve as Multicultural Concerns Commission Chair, Canada Interest Group Chair, Native American and Tribal College Interest Group Chair, Membership Committee Chair, Diversity Committee Chair, and Region 7 Chair.  One Emerging Leader has initiated a potential Interest Group for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  Emerging Leaders are serving on the Awards Committee, the Diversity Committee, the Membership Committee, the Webcast Advisory Board, and the Emerging Leaders Program Advisory Board.  A number of Emerging Leaders have presented (some with their Mentors) at Regional and Annual Conferences, one is serving as the Exhibits Chair for the 2009 Annual Conference in San Antonio, and another will serve as Chair of the 2010 Annual Conference in Orlando.  Six Emerging Leaders have written for Academic Advising Today, and three have taken part in Webinar broadcast presentations.  Emerging Leaders also report that they have become more involved at their home institutions.  One said, “We’ve taken what we’ve learned through the program back to our home school. This program has not only made an impact on NACADA, but also on the institutions where the NACADA ELP participants work.”