Roberta 'Bobbie' Flaherty, NACADA Executive Director
Barbara Walters conducts great interviews. Shaquille O’Neal is a great basketball player. Emeril is a great chef. Everyone wants to be recognized for his/her expertise and it is easy to recognize the talents of these examples. But, how do great advisors and administrators get noticed?
Some are “discovered” through chance observations at conferences, through discussions with others, or reading of their work. Members have expressed interest in being involved more with the association and in contributing to the field, and NACADA is interested in identifying, nurturing, and developing experts within the field. Therefore, NACADA is establishing an Expertise Database (more information below).
We encourage members to self-identify their areas of expertise for inclusion in a database that will facilitate searches for specific expertise as the need arises. It is also our hope that many members will register so that we can draw expertise from our diverse membership (institutional type or size, gender, ethnicity, advising role, etc.).
The Expertise Database will be utilized in the selection of faculty/presenters for NACADA events, for identification of potential authors or editors for NACADA publications, for consultation referrals, and for media referrals on specific areas of expertise. Additional information may be needed, such as writing samples, etc., but one’s basic areas of expertise will be the basis of the list. So, this is YOUR OPPORTUNITY to highlight your established expertise!
How does one establish an area of expertise? Through experience, reading, studying, research, and thinking! Then write and present on that topic. Each successful professional contribution builds recognition of your area of expertise and will assist those who seek and select members to serve in various “expert” activities.
Want to start on the path to becoming a recognized expert? Presenting at a Regional Conference is a good place to start and most regions are currently seeking presentation proposals for their Spring conferences
Articles for the NACADA Clearinghouse and the Academic Advising News (the NACADA newsletter) provide good places to begin writing and publishing as are book reviews for the NACADA Journal. By pursuing these avenues, you can build a valuable area of expertise and a reputation that will benefit both you and the profession.
Roberta 'Bobbie' Flaherty, Executive Director National Academic Advising Association
NACADA is establishing a Member Expertise Database to assist in the identification of members willing to present, write, and consult in the field of advising Members are asked to self-identify and submit information about themselves and their areas of advising expertise to facilitate the construction of this database.
The database will be utilized to identify members willing and able to address specific content areas for the NACADA Institutes, Conferences, Seminars, Newsletter, Journal, Consultations, Clearinghouse, and Media requests.
We are seeking a large pool to adequately represent the diversity within the association – institutional type and size, advising role, ethnicity, gender, sexual preference, etc..
Members can access the submission forms and information at http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/expertise.htm and must complete and submit the form plus provide a detailed vita electronically.
Thomas J. Grites,Thomas J. Kerr, and Margaret C. King, Editors
Twenty-seven authors contribute unique perspectives regarding the heterogeneous transfer-student population. In addition to characteristics and experiences of students transferring from community colleges to 4-year institutions, authors discuss issues facing students who matriculate from high school to college, from 4- to 4-year schools, and from 4- to 2-year institutions.
Experts on transfer advising describe model programs as well as advisor and administrative strategies for enhancing transfer student success. Readers will glean an overall view of issues surrounding students in transition and find specific recommendations that will relate to their own transfer student populations.
This monograph is currently at press and should be available by the end of the year. Watch the monthly NACADA member Highlights for details.
The NACADA Research Committee announces a Request For Proposals (RFP) for NACADA grants that support advising research. Stipends up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) are available to support a single-year proposal. Practicing professionals (administrators and faculty), as well as graduate students seeking support for dissertation research, are eligible.
Preliminary proposal drafts are be due February 1, 2005 for committee feedback. Full proposals will be due May 16, 2005. Find information and applications at http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/Research_Related/Grant-Guidelines.htm
Need research ideas? The Committee has delineated a research agenda listing ten advising topics deemed to be critical within advising research. Find these topics at http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/Research_Related/researchagenda.htm.
Have a research topic? Want to discuss your topic with other members researching similar topic? Join the Research Registry at http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/Research_Related/index.htm#reg.
The 2004 National Conference held in Cincinnati this October was a smashing success! Over 2100 people joined Barbara Bucey and her National Conference Committee for this great event. With over 300 presentations to choose from, the participants had the opportunity to share and gain experiences that will ultimately promote student success.
NACADA's 25th Anniversary was celebrated with the theme of 'Lighting Student Pathways for 25 Years'. A display of memorabilia led long time members down memory lane and helped other see the progress made in our field over the last quarter of a century. NACADA has grown from a fledgling organization with approximately 500 members to our present 7600+ membership with the help of hard work and dedication of many volunteer leaders. The 2004 NACADA award recipients were honored at a special Awards Ceremony and Reception on Wednesday afternoon prior to the opening session of the conference.
Cite this article using APA style as: Flaherty, B. (2004, December). From the executive director: You can contribute to the field!. Academic Advising Today, 27(4). [insert url here]
