Commission Chairs are elected by their Commission members and provide leadership for Commission activities in support of the profession by representing its members and their needs and concerns through the Division Representatives and communicating with the members. Commission Chairs coordinate commission activities and lead Commission meetings during the Annual Conference. Commission Chairs report to the Division Representatives for the Commission and Interest Group Division (CIGD).
Distance Education Advising Chair - (elected, term October 2018 - October 2020). Prior to taking office, candidates must have completed the previous year as a member in the Commission and be a current member in that group.
Tara Maroney
University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, CT
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)
Identify and Develop Resources for New and Experienced Online Advisors
In line with NACADA’s goal of expanding and communicating the scholarship of academic advising, the group should identify and develop resources for new and experienced online advisors. The Distance Advising for Online Education advising community is beginning work on a guidebook, which will serve as a tremendous resource for new professionals. At the same time, we can focus on offering more webinars, conference sessions and articles surrounding online student advising.
Engage and Expand the Distance Advising for Online Education Advising Community
I would like to see this advising community meet NACADA’s goal of providing professional development opportunities that are responsive to the needs of advisors and advising administrators. As part of that, the group can expand its social media engagement, the use of the Listserv, and find new ways to communicate with new and existing members. This will allow us to...
Identify and Develop Resources for New and Experienced Online Advisors
In line with NACADA’s goal of expanding and communicating the scholarship of academic advising, the group should identify and develop resources for new and experienced online advisors. The Distance Advising for Online Education advising community is beginning work on a guidebook, which will serve as a tremendous resource for new professionals. At the same time, we can focus on offering more webinars, conference sessions and articles surrounding online student advising.
Engage and Expand the Distance Advising for Online Education Advising Community
I would like to see this advising community meet NACADA’s goal of providing professional development opportunities that are responsive to the needs of advisors and advising administrators. As part of that, the group can expand its social media engagement, the use of the Listserv, and find new ways to communicate with new and existing members. This will allow us to increase engagement among members of the Distance Advising for Online Education community. By building a robust steering committee, we also have the opportunity to meet NACADA’s goals of developing and sustaining effective association leadership. There may also be ways to partner with other advising communities as many focus, at least in part, on the online student population.
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)
One of my greatest accomplishments in NACADA was serving as communications co-chair for Region 1. In one year, we were able to significantly increase engagement among the region and foster a strong community. Our main goal was to make sure that people felt connected to the NACADA family beyond March and October, when we all gather for conferences. To do so, my co-chair and I created a communications calendar for our newsletter and social media efforts to make sure members were getting regular updates about what was happening in the region. We also developed a blog for the region to increase engagement and started a “Meet Region 1” segment that profiled members and leadership. We also revamped the region 1 Facebook page so it could be more easily used to connect members to each other for the purposes of professional development and networking.
As a leader in Region 1, I was able to help amplify the voices of our members. The same can be done for the Distance Advising for Online Education...
One of my greatest accomplishments in NACADA was serving as communications co-chair for Region 1. In one year, we were able to significantly increase engagement among the region and foster a strong community. Our main goal was to make sure that people felt connected to the NACADA family beyond March and October, when we all gather for conferences. To do so, my co-chair and I created a communications calendar for our newsletter and social media efforts to make sure members were getting regular updates about what was happening in the region. We also developed a blog for the region to increase engagement and started a “Meet Region 1” segment that profiled members and leadership. We also revamped the region 1 Facebook page so it could be more easily used to connect members to each other for the purposes of professional development and networking.
As a leader in Region 1, I was able to help amplify the voices of our members. The same can be done for the Distance Advising for Online Education advising community. I would like to see this group become a resource for new and experienced advisors, and to have a broader profile throughout NACADA. This is a great time to expand our presence with a new name that really represents our group. It is also worth exploring opportunities to engage with other advising communities and their members. There are many unique voices in the online advising space, and it would be my goal to make sure they are heard and represented.
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 have been involved in multiple professional development organizations, but none have been as welcoming or as helpful professionally as NACADA. I really believe that I can help make a difference and give back to the organization and members that have helped me so much.
The online student population is expected to grow in number from 3.5 million in 2016 to 5 million by 2020, according to the Learning House report, “2016 Online College Students: Comprehensive Data on Demands and Preferences.” This growth will require a strategic emphasis for academic advisors and institutions moving forward. This is such an exciting time to be in online advising. As such, I feel that I am in a great position to help expand the profession of online advising and help others to engage in NACADA.
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)
As online advisors, we inherently serve a diverse student population. As professionals, we are equally diverse. We come from very different geographic regions, institution types and work with everyone from continuing education students to doctoral candidates. It is my hope that we can expand the number of actively engaged members in this advising community as well as make sure that we have representative voices from across these different populations.
This advising community would benefit from a robust steering committee that represents these unique voices and populations. Additionally, I plan to use the Facebook page, conferences and the Listserv, among others, to engage our membership. I am very interested in having others share their time, talent and expertise, and give them a voice in the conversation. It is this collaboration that makes NACADA so valuable to its members.
As online advisors, we’re used to relying on technology and working with students who are isolated but...
As online advisors, we inherently serve a diverse student population. As professionals, we are equally diverse. We come from very different geographic regions, institution types and work with everyone from continuing education students to doctoral candidates. It is my hope that we can expand the number of actively engaged members in this advising community as well as make sure that we have representative voices from across these different populations.
This advising community would benefit from a robust steering committee that represents these unique voices and populations. Additionally, I plan to use the Facebook page, conferences and the Listserv, among others, to engage our membership. I am very interested in having others share their time, talent and expertise, and give them a voice in the conversation. It is this collaboration that makes NACADA so valuable to its members.
As online advisors, we’re used to relying on technology and working with students who are isolated but like our students, we need to connect with one another to be successful. It is my hope that this community will continue to be a way for us as professionals to engage, share ideas and help elevate the profession.
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 NACADA member for more than 3 years.
NACADA Emerging Leader – Class of 2017-2019
Distance Advising for Online Education Steering Committee - Current
Region 1 Leadership:
Conference Registration Co-Chair March 2016 – March 2018
Communications Co-Chair June 2015 – March 2016
- Launched and contributed to the region 1 blog
- Redesigned the newsletter
- Managed content across digital and print properties
- Established a communications plan including print, blog and social media to enhance outreach to members
- Live tweeted events and conference sessions
Presentations at NACADA Events
- Annual conference 2017, “Developing a Resource Center to Empower Online Students and Increase Support” **Commission-Sponsored by Distance Advising for Online Education & Technology in Advising Commissions**
- Region 1 conference 2017, “Developing a Resource Center to Empower Online Students and Increase Support”
- Massachusetts Drive-In 2016, “Developing...
I have been a NACADA member for more than 3 years.
NACADA Emerging Leader – Class of 2017-2019
Distance Advising for Online Education Steering Committee - Current
Region 1 Leadership:
Conference Registration Co-Chair March 2016 – March 2018
Communications Co-Chair June 2015 – March 2016
- Launched and contributed to the region 1 blog
- Redesigned the newsletter
- Managed content across digital and print properties
- Established a communications plan including print, blog and social media to enhance outreach to members
- Live tweeted events and conference sessions
Presentations at NACADA Events
- Annual conference 2017, “Developing a Resource Center to Empower Online Students and Increase Support” **Commission-Sponsored by Distance Advising for Online Education & Technology in Advising Commissions**
- Region 1 conference 2017, “Developing a Resource Center to Empower Online Students and Increase Support”
- Massachusetts Drive-In 2016, “Developing a Resource Center to Empower Online Students and Increase Support”
- Connecticut Drive-In 2016, “Hindsight is 80/20? Finding time for all students, not just those that are high maintenance”
- Region 1 conference 2015, “Aligning with the Online Student: Engaging and Advising the Multi-Burdened Graduate Student”
Publishing
- NACADA Book Review July 2016, Peak by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool. http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Journal/Current-Past-Book-Reviews/Peak.aspx
NACADA eTutorial
- Theory & Practice, June – July 2016
