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).
Undecided & Exploratory Students 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.
Maureen M. Bell-Werner
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)
If selected as commission chair, I will work with the steering committee to provide additional outreach to commission members and recruit new members. I will utilize our current members to reach out to our colleagues working with undecided and exploratory students. In addition to the current listserv, the creation of a Facebook page and other social media outlets would allow for greater connection between colleagues working with undecided and exploratory students. Social media initiatives are a less formal way for members to ask questions, network, and advertise events of interest, including webinars, conference sessions, and meet-ups at annual and regional conferences. Additionally, engagement in social media initiatives allows for greater recognition of our members’ accomplishments in the field and encourages engagement through blog posts. Being familiar with not just our members but the offices specializing in undecided and exploratory student advisement could help us to advertise...
If selected as commission chair, I will work with the steering committee to provide additional outreach to commission members and recruit new members. I will utilize our current members to reach out to our colleagues working with undecided and exploratory students. In addition to the current listserv, the creation of a Facebook page and other social media outlets would allow for greater connection between colleagues working with undecided and exploratory students. Social media initiatives are a less formal way for members to ask questions, network, and advertise events of interest, including webinars, conference sessions, and meet-ups at annual and regional conferences. Additionally, engagement in social media initiatives allows for greater recognition of our members’ accomplishments in the field and encourages engagement through blog posts. Being familiar with not just our members but the offices specializing in undecided and exploratory student advisement could help us to advertise the many award opportunities that NACADA sponsors. Our members are doing great work with this unique student population and I want to make sure they are applying for awards, grants, scholarships, and presentations to share their information and initiatives with all of us.
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) In 2016, I lead a team who initiated our first attempt at pre-registration of all first-year students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Just like any first initiative, it was not perfect. I started the task by identifying staff for the initial conversation and planning phases. After creating an initial plan, I communicated that to key stakeholders across campus and took their feedback. Each year, I survey advisors regarding the process and work towards improvement. It still isn’t a perfect a system but there are ideas for next year, which will hopefully continue to improve the process for the advisors, students, and faculty/staff involved. As a leader, it is important to listen to feedback from stakeholders and constantly strive towards improvement.
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)
NACADA has so much to offer that it can be difficult to find one area of focus, especially since academic advisors wear so many hats. I have attended many conferences throughout my professional career and presented at a handful. In 2017, I served as the hospitality chair of the annual conference in St. Louis, MO. Getting the experience of working with the executive office of NACADA and interacting with so many advising colleagues piqued my interest in pursuing a more active role in NACADA, beyond just being a participant. Having spent my entire career working with undecided and exploratory students, CUES seems an obvious place for me to dedicate time and energy. I want to lead initiatives in sharing and exploring the issues and concerns in working with undecided and exploring students. One of the things I appreciate the most about NACADA is the desire to help each other. Sharing our knowledge and ideas helps us all work towards improving students’ experiences and successes in higher...
NACADA has so much to offer that it can be difficult to find one area of focus, especially since academic advisors wear so many hats. I have attended many conferences throughout my professional career and presented at a handful. In 2017, I served as the hospitality chair of the annual conference in St. Louis, MO. Getting the experience of working with the executive office of NACADA and interacting with so many advising colleagues piqued my interest in pursuing a more active role in NACADA, beyond just being a participant. Having spent my entire career working with undecided and exploratory students, CUES seems an obvious place for me to dedicate time and energy. I want to lead initiatives in sharing and exploring the issues and concerns in working with undecided and exploring students. One of the things I appreciate the most about NACADA is the desire to help each other. Sharing our knowledge and ideas helps us all work towards improving students’ experiences and successes in higher education. Connecting with colleagues, sharing dialog, and brainstorming helps us to become better, more intentional professionals and should lead to greater job satisfaction.
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)
Inclusivity means a number of things in higher education. Advising undecided and exploratory students happens at all of our institutions, just at varying levels. To me, enhancing inclusivity means being inclusive of the types of institutions represented in our membership, such as technical schools, community colleges, both public and private four-year institutions, faith-based institutions, and HBCUs. Undecided and exploratory students can represent any ethnic demographic, ability, religious background, gender identification, sexual orientation, etc. And the same is true of the academic advisors who work with undecided and exploring students. It is important to promote inclusive membership in CUES, representative of the advising profession. Encouraging CUES members to apply to the Emerging Leaders Program and similar programs within the regional associations or recruiting advisors who have completed those programs in the past are ways to promote a diverse membership. Although focused...
Inclusivity means a number of things in higher education. Advising undecided and exploratory students happens at all of our institutions, just at varying levels. To me, enhancing inclusivity means being inclusive of the types of institutions represented in our membership, such as technical schools, community colleges, both public and private four-year institutions, faith-based institutions, and HBCUs. Undecided and exploratory students can represent any ethnic demographic, ability, religious background, gender identification, sexual orientation, etc. And the same is true of the academic advisors who work with undecided and exploring students. It is important to promote inclusive membership in CUES, representative of the advising profession. Encouraging CUES members to apply to the Emerging Leaders Program and similar programs within the regional associations or recruiting advisors who have completed those programs in the past are ways to promote a diverse membership. Although focused on undecided and exploratory students, I would also work towards collaboration with other Commission and Interest Groups. Our population is unique but being inclusive mean exploring students’ intersectionality. We must be able to support our students’ needs and help them be successful in their college experience, to the best of our abilities.
Past Involvement in NACADA
5. Outline your past involvement in NACADA:
a. Years in NACADA
b. National Offices Help and Accomplishments Achieved
I joined NACADA in 2004 as a graduate student. I have presented at three annual NACADA conferences and one Region V NACADA conference. I was nominated and received a certificate of merit as an Outstanding Advisor in 2015. Most recently, I was the Hospitality Chair of the 2017 annual NACADA conference in St. Louis, MO.
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
