The NACADA Board of Directors is the official governing body of the Association, and provides direction for the Association by developing and maintaining the Association's strategic plan.
Board of Directors - 3 positions available, three-year term each (October 2018 - October 2021). Nominees must have served a full term as a Chair of a Division level sub-unit (region, committee, commission).
Kevin P. Thomas
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL
Platform
Platform Statement: Part I
1. If elected to this position, what will you attempt to accomplish that will help to meet the strategic goals of the Association? (1500 characters or less)
I will work to extend the outreach of the strategic goals of NACADA. The strategic goals of NACADA are critical to our movement forward and growth as an association. If elected to this position, that will be my focus! My involvement at the state, region, and national levels has prepared me for this role and I look forward to taking on this challenge.
There is always a strong focus on the strategic goals of NACADA. I believe that message can be explained further and expanded so that the membership of NACADA has a greater understanding of its importance. I believe that if the membership understands the direction and impact of NACADA’s goals, they will be able to utilize that direction and impact on their own campuses for the good of advising growth within their home institutions.
As I reflect on the strategic goals, I believe one of my greatest passions will be ensuring that I am advocate for the promotion of the role of effective academic advising in student success to college...
I will work to extend the outreach of the strategic goals of NACADA. The strategic goals of NACADA are critical to our movement forward and growth as an association. If elected to this position, that will be my focus! My involvement at the state, region, and national levels has prepared me for this role and I look forward to taking on this challenge.
There is always a strong focus on the strategic goals of NACADA. I believe that message can be explained further and expanded so that the membership of NACADA has a greater understanding of its importance. I believe that if the membership understands the direction and impact of NACADA’s goals, they will be able to utilize that direction and impact on their own campuses for the good of advising growth within their home institutions.
As I reflect on the strategic goals, I believe one of my greatest passions will be ensuring that I am advocate for the promotion of the role of effective academic advising in student success to college and university decision makers. We are currently in the midst of tough economic and budgetary times throughout higher education. Being an advocate and leader for advising while helping to educate and inform on proper advising practice and teaching with upper administration has made advising a critical part of the conversation on my campus. Supporting our membership in having the information and knowledge to advocate on their own campuses would be something I hope to accomplish in this role.
Platform Statement: Part II
2. Describe an accomplishment on your own campus or within NACADA of which you are proud. What do you believe your accomplishment demonstrates about your abilities as a leader? (1500 characters or less)
Over the past ten years I have been involved within NACADA, I have come to realize that this is an organization that strengthens your knowledge, connections, and resources as a professional. I am incredibly proud to have served as the Advising Administration Commission Chair, served as a chair for a region conference, been a part of a team that created a state-wide advising organization, and serving as chair for the 2017 Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. I have a great deal of pride for being a member and leader within NACADA.
As reflect on accomplishments I am particularly proud of on my own campus I can’t help but reflect upon my academic advising staff. I take great pride in growing professionals through their roles so that they become stronger professionals and in many cases are incredibly marketable if/when a job search may occur. The advisors I work with, who did not think involvement in NACADA was a possibility, have gone on to present and hold leadership positions...
Over the past ten years I have been involved within NACADA, I have come to realize that this is an organization that strengthens your knowledge, connections, and resources as a professional. I am incredibly proud to have served as the Advising Administration Commission Chair, served as a chair for a region conference, been a part of a team that created a state-wide advising organization, and serving as chair for the 2017 Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. I have a great deal of pride for being a member and leader within NACADA.
As reflect on accomplishments I am particularly proud of on my own campus I can’t help but reflect upon my academic advising staff. I take great pride in growing professionals through their roles so that they become stronger professionals and in many cases are incredibly marketable if/when a job search may occur. The advisors I work with, who did not think involvement in NACADA was a possibility, have gone on to present and hold leadership positions at the state, regional and annual levels for NACADA. Advisors have started to look at the best practices of advising throughout the country to help lead our office to higher levels.
These accomplishments are not mine but have been part of my goal to create an environment of professional development, growth, learning, and aspiration that has allowed for our staff to grow forward.
Platform Statement: Part III
3. Why are you interested in serving in this leadership position or what influenced you to run for this leadership position? (1500 characters or less)
I am honored to have been nominated. For me, it means that someone thinks enough of your time and ability within an organization to believe you could fill a leadership role and contribute to the organization moving forward.
Without hesitation, I decided to run for the Board of Directors position. NACADA has been my professional home for the last ten years and has provided me an invaluable growth in my own leadership. Part of my motivation of running is a strong desire to give back to this organization that has provided me so much. I know, however, that the desire to give back stems from the experiences I have had within the organization. NACADA is not just a conference organization. Don’t get me wrong, we have conferences that are incredible but NACADA is an organization that supports its membership year round. There is hardly a week that goes by that I don’t communicate with someone I have connected with through NACADA about advising development and practice. It is an invaluable...
I am honored to have been nominated. For me, it means that someone thinks enough of your time and ability within an organization to believe you could fill a leadership role and contribute to the organization moving forward.
Without hesitation, I decided to run for the Board of Directors position. NACADA has been my professional home for the last ten years and has provided me an invaluable growth in my own leadership. Part of my motivation of running is a strong desire to give back to this organization that has provided me so much. I know, however, that the desire to give back stems from the experiences I have had within the organization. NACADA is not just a conference organization. Don’t get me wrong, we have conferences that are incredible but NACADA is an organization that supports its membership year round. There is hardly a week that goes by that I don’t communicate with someone I have connected with through NACADA about advising development and practice. It is an invaluable connection that moves my development forward as a professional.
My other reason for accepting this nomination is to continue to grow the organization. While I have great pride in what NACADA is and what it offers, I also know that the organization must grow. This growth must come from the leadership of NACADA. NACADA has a diverse and passionate membership that is anxious to have more opportunities for support and direction within their career aspirations.
Platform Statement: Part IV
4. Please describe how you will work to promote the enhancement of inclusivity throughout (or within) the association. (1500 characters or less)
Within any leadership position in NACADA we have a responsibility through our strategic goals to create an inclusive environment that promotes diversity. Within my various roles, that has always been one of my primary goals as a NACADA leader. In my experiences I have always enjoyed that NACADA is a diverse organization that has numerous opportunities for persons with and throughout NACADA to connect.
Often when people mention their growth and development in NACADA, the stories are filled with individuals who have reached out to push their growth or inclusion within the organization. While I think that method works, we need to continue to strive for an organization that enhances leadership opportunities throughout NACADA and that promotes leadership, scholarship, and academic efforts that are inclusive.
If elected to the Board of Directors, I would continue to encourage opportunities for networking, for both new and experienced members, to strengthen the connections and relationships...
Within any leadership position in NACADA we have a responsibility through our strategic goals to create an inclusive environment that promotes diversity. Within my various roles, that has always been one of my primary goals as a NACADA leader. In my experiences I have always enjoyed that NACADA is a diverse organization that has numerous opportunities for persons with and throughout NACADA to connect.
Often when people mention their growth and development in NACADA, the stories are filled with individuals who have reached out to push their growth or inclusion within the organization. While I think that method works, we need to continue to strive for an organization that enhances leadership opportunities throughout NACADA and that promotes leadership, scholarship, and academic efforts that are inclusive.
If elected to the Board of Directors, I would continue to encourage opportunities for networking, for both new and experienced members, to strengthen the connections and relationships within the association. I also believe it is critical that as an association we promote the diversity we strive for within our leadership and professional development opportunities. NACADA is an organization that has provided me with so much growth and development. I want to make sure I am being a good steward of that development and that I am helping members become more involved and engaged in what the association offers.
Past Involvement in NACADA
5. Outline your past involvement in NACADA:
a. Years in NACADA
b. National Offices Help and Accomplishments Achieved
I have been a proud and active member of NACADA since July of 2007. Since becoming a member of NACADA I have held either the elected or appointed positions of the following:
• 2017 Annual Conference Chair – St. Louis, Missouri (2017)
• Commission & Interest Group Division (CIGD) Steering Committee (2016 – Present)
-Member of Diversity Task Force for CIGD Steering Committee
• Annual Conference Advisor Board (2016 – 2018)
• Advising Administration Commission Chair (2014 – 2016)
-Enhanced communication of commission through Facebook page, Blogs, and outreach to commission members
-Recognized work of presenters through mailings to individual campuses to supervisors and public relations offices
• Co-chair of Evaluations at the 2012 NACADA Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee
• Co-chair of the 2010 Region 3 Conference in Lexington, Kentucky
-Planned and organized Region 3 conference and had over 345 attendees in attendance
• Kentucky Academic Advising Association...
I have been a proud and active member of NACADA since July of 2007. Since becoming a member of NACADA I have held either the elected or appointed positions of the following:
• 2017 Annual Conference Chair – St. Louis, Missouri (2017)
• Commission & Interest Group Division (CIGD) Steering Committee (2016 – Present)
-Member of Diversity Task Force for CIGD Steering Committee
• Annual Conference Advisor Board (2016 – 2018)
• Advising Administration Commission Chair (2014 – 2016)
-Enhanced communication of commission through Facebook page, Blogs, and outreach to commission members
-Recognized work of presenters through mailings to individual campuses to supervisors and public relations offices
• Co-chair of Evaluations at the 2012 NACADA Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee
• Co-chair of the 2010 Region 3 Conference in Lexington, Kentucky
-Planned and organized Region 3 conference and had over 345 attendees in attendance
• Kentucky Academic Advising Association (KACADA) founding member
-Member of ten professionals throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky that worked with the Council of Postsecondary Education (CPE) to create the KACADA organization for advisors throughout the Commonwealth
• NACADA Region 3 Steering Committee – Kentucky Representative (2007 – 2010)
Selected Conference Presentations
-The Growth of a Retention Program: Beginning Steps to Established Program – Presented at the 2013 NACADA Annual Conference
-Retention Strategies: First Year Strategies Toward Academic Success - Presented at the NACADA Annual Conference (2008)
-No Lion, Retention Can Be Tamed: A Proactive Look at Working with At-Risk Students – Presented at NACADA Region 5 Conference (2013)
-A University-Wide Student Support Program – Presented at NACADA Region 3 Conference (2012)
-Retention’s Wild Ride - Presented during the NACADA Region 3 Conference (2009)
-How the Implementation of the Master Advisor Certificate has Educated More Faculty at WKU - Presented during the NACADA Region 3 Conference (2009)
NACADA Executive Office
Kansas State University
2323 Anderson Avenue, Suite 225
Manhattan, KS 66502-2912
Phone: (785) 532-5717 Fax: (785) 532-7732
e-mail:
nacada@ksu.edu
