Election Platform - Nomination ID: 14257
Nominee
Assessment of Advising Chair
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). Assessment of 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.
Brian E Buckwald

Hunter College, CUNY
New York, NY
 
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)
The most important things I wish to accomplish are in close alignment with the association's strategic goals; promote the visibility of effective assessment programs and best practices, expand the knowledge and resources of assessment in advising, and foster opportunities for leadership, scholarship, and membership involvement specifically in the assessment of advising.  In addition to working within the association and identifying and partnering with allied advising communities (e.g. advising administration, advisor training) I would also seek grow connections with external groups working on assessment in various ways (e.g. SAAL, AHEE, AIR) and draw upon our membership connections in this regard. My first actions in this role would be to establish a steering committee to assist in creating our community goals, then grow opportunities for sustained leadership in this community through creating more structured and transparent steering committee roles (e.g. communications chair, conferences... 


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)
I am confident in my abilities to serve this leadership role well because of experiences I had during my 11+ years with NACADA and also more recently at my institution, Hunter College (CUNY). I would describe my leadership style as democratic, meaning I like to involve stakeholders and subordinates into decision making and use my role to delegate authority and hold final responsibility for meeting goals or expectations. Communication and effectively utilizing technology is very important with this approach which I think lends itself well to this role. For example, when I first transitioned to Hunter I took on a new unit to direct advising for an emerging honors program that consisted more or less of a collection of learning communities and scholarships. Over the next five years I was able to triple the number of students from about 350 to 900, created a budget and reporting structure and program mission from no prior formal structures, and also grew the staff from just one full-time and... 


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)
There are many opportunities and communities for academic advisors or similar higher education staff or administrator role types to spend their professional development time.  However, for most, this time is limited and has to be carefully chosen and balanced along other work and life commitments or resource constraints.  For me, NACADA, its people, its resources, and its opportunities have been of tremendous professional and personal value. I run for this leadership opportunity with great enthusiasm and pride and sense of connectedness to the organization and desire to give back. However, to speak more specifically to the work of assessment, higher education faces increased demands on accountability and transparency in decision making now more so than ever, and this is why the work of the assessment advising community is important and necessary. As a profession, we truly need all members at all levels to pick up the flag for assessment in their organizations and communities. Further, whereas... 


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)
The ability to be aware of how your own biases and identity can affect your behavior and thinking is not easy to do, nor something done once and left alone. In other words, self-awareness is not a destination, it is a continuous journey and effort. However, leaders, in their ability to use power whether decision-making or exerting influence, must hold themselves to a higher standard. I believe I actively practice this standard, which is setting the right tone with their leadership team and members, to encourage honestly and authenticity, and to actively seek and explicitly ask everyone to actively engage in fostering the culture of inclusivity.  As an elected leader in NACADA, I promise to strive in all my efforts and to speak out to foster leadership and participation opportunities for all persons.

Past Involvement in NACADA

5. Outline your past involvement in NACADA:
     a. Years in NACADA
     b. National Offices Help and Accomplishments Achieved

[Item, Role, Time]
Technology Advisory Board, Member, 2012-2018
Assessment of Academic Advising Institute, Attendee, 2015
Center for Research & Excellence in Academic Advising Feasibility Study Committee, Member, 2015
Beyond Foundations: Developing as a Master Academic Advisor, Reviewer, 2015
Technology in Advising Commission, Steering Committee, 2012 – 2014
Webinar Advisory Board, Member, 2011-2013
M.S. Academic Advising Program at Kansas State University, Graduate, 2009-2011
Website Review Committee, Summer 2011
Region IV Steering Committee, Technology Coordinator, 2010-2012
Evaluations Chair, 2011 Annual Conference (Orlando)
Hospitality Chair, 2010 Region IV Conference (Atlanta)
Outstanding New Advisor Primary Role Category, Recipient, 2007
Region IV Conference Attendee, 2006-2012
Annual Conference, Attendee, 2006-2017 (presented 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017)
Member, 2006-present

 
 
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