Region Steering Committee Election

Midway through my career in higher education, I discovered a deep love for students while working for the Graduate Programs in Business office at Mississippi State.  After obtaining my Masters degree in 2020, I applied for various academic coordinator positions on campus and found one in Computer Science and Engineering.  In this position, I advise over 500 students working with them on their class schedules, doing overrides, clearing them for graduation, etc. I absolutely love this job and plan to stay in an advising role until I retire. Two years ago, I attended my first NACADA conference in Huntsville.  I had such an amazing experience, I requested to be on the planning committee for the 2024 conference.  I co-chaired two groups and volunteered in various roles at the conference. I also served as a proposal reader nationally and regionally. For the 2025 conference, I am again on the planning committee and proposal review committee. I am also serving on a national professional development committee for NACADA.

I consider myself to be a loyal, dedicated, and hard-working person and will bring those strengths to this role.

As the awards chair, my goal is to have a smooth 2 years full of productivity and hard work.

As an academic advisor at Jacksonville State University, I’ve embraced NACADA’s holistic approach to student support. While my involvement has been limited, I had the privilege of presenting research with a colleague at the 2024 NACADA Annual Conference, an experience that motivated me to pursue a more active role. Guided by values of integrity, perseverance, inclusivity, and compassion, I align closely with NACADA’s core principles, making me a strong candidate for service. I bring experience in event coordination and awards through roles with Rocket City Pride, the Birmingham Chapter of Talladega College Alumni, and the JSU Awards and Recognition Committee. Additionally, my background in social work strengthens my ability to engage and support diverse individuals. I offer skills in adaptability, problem-solving, creativity, time management, and interpersonal communication. I’m eager to foster NACADA relationships, provide fresh perspectives, and inspire others to get involved in serving our community.

Born and raised in Alabama, I would love the chance to represent it in Region 4. This would be a great opportunity to utilize my experience while also taking the time to learn from others throughout our region. My previous involvement has been limited to attending conferences, and I am looking to play a bigger role in the NACADA community.

I am strong in communication and organization, and I believe I do an excellent job of working with a diverse population of personalities. I brought to the advising world my work experience as a collegiate coach, and I utilize those talents still as an Assistant Director of Student Services and as a Director of Academic Advising in our college.

My goal as the Alabama liaison would be to go beyond the standard expectations of the position. My talents would be utilized greatly for planning, budgeting, and communication of the region and allied organizations. It would be an exciting adventure to reach out to institutions in my state to bring attention to questions, comments, and concerns we are seeing grow. The honor to represent the state at conferences while serving as a representative and advocate for Alabama is an additional and thrilling part that fuels me. 

Hi everyone,

I'm Rachel Mars, Director of Advising at the University of West Florida. As a dedicated NACADA member for over a decade, I've always been passionate about connecting with fellow advisors and exploring innovative ways to enhance our profession.

I'm excited about the opportunity to serve as your Florida Liaison. I'm committed to:

Strengthening Communication: Fostering stronger communication between regional leadership and Florida advisors.

Enhancing Engagement: Creating innovative programs and initiatives to inspire and engage our members.

Strategic Planning: Contributing to the development of strategic plans that align with the needs of Florida advisors.

I believe my experience, enthusiasm, and collaborative approach will make me an effective advocate for Florida's NACADA community.

Let's work together to elevate our profession and create a vibrant, supportive network for all Florida advisors! 

I have not previously been involved in Region 4; however, I served as the chair of an Advising Community from 2018 to 2019 and have participated as a NACADA reader for several annual conferences. As a newer member of Region 4 (having relocated to Florida in 2019) and now being settled in my current role at my university, I am eager to take on a more active role within NACADA. My experience at two state universities and a community college has provided me with a comprehensive perspective on how NACADA and the region can effectively support advisors. I believe this involvement is essential for enhancing the organization's relevance and accessibility to the advising community.