If I am elected as the Region 10 Chair, I would like to work with advisors within the region to provide professional development opportunities that are accessible to a wide variety of audiences across the region.  With shrinking budgets and increasing mandates, professional development funding is often, unfortunately, quick to be eliminated.  However, there are many options for providing low to no cost professional development opportunities, such as the recent Diversity Chats on the Region 10 Facebook page.  Additionally, I would like to increase assessment of what Region 10 is currently doing within our area – are the activities we promote meeting the needs of our membership? If not, why not, and what can we do to better serve advisors in the Rocky Mountain region?  I would also like to continue and promote the Region 10 mentoring program as a way to develop and sustain effective Association leadership, both on a regional level and by encouraging people to run for national positions.... Display More...

If I am elected as the Region 10 Chair, I would like to work with advisors within the region to provide professional development opportunities that are accessible to a wide variety of audiences across the region.  With shrinking budgets and increasing mandates, professional development funding is often, unfortunately, quick to be eliminated.  However, there are many options for providing low to no cost professional development opportunities, such as the recent Diversity Chats on the Region 10 Facebook page.  Additionally, I would like to increase assessment of what Region 10 is currently doing within our area – are the activities we promote meeting the needs of our membership? If not, why not, and what can we do to better serve advisors in the Rocky Mountain region?  I would also like to continue and promote the Region 10 mentoring program as a way to develop and sustain effective Association leadership, both on a regional level and by encouraging people to run for national positions.  Finally, I would like to create and promote resources to share the importance of effective academic advising to college and university decision makers.  This may be by encouraging others (and myself!) to create more scholarship within academic advising, as well as making the scholarship currently available readily accessible to key constituencies on our campuses and beyond. Display Less...

Recently, I developed and coordinated the Region 10 Steering Committee elections.  The current chair wanted to transition to an elections structure that would allow more opportunity to participate in the steering committee.  This involved looking at other regions doing elections and developing a plan and timeline that worked for our Region.  We also coordinated an effort to reach out and encourage people to run for positions, particularly in areas where finding representation has been challenging.  During this time, I needed to manage communication with the Executive Office, coordinating efforts to reach out, the start of a new semester on my campus, - oh, and did I mention I was in my first trimester at that point?  It was a busy time, but I believe being able to successfully coordinate these elections shows a variety of abilities I have as a leader.  First and foremost, I take my responsibilities seriously.  When I committed to serving, I wanted the chair to know they could rely on me... Display More...

Recently, I developed and coordinated the Region 10 Steering Committee elections.  The current chair wanted to transition to an elections structure that would allow more opportunity to participate in the steering committee.  This involved looking at other regions doing elections and developing a plan and timeline that worked for our Region.  We also coordinated an effort to reach out and encourage people to run for positions, particularly in areas where finding representation has been challenging.  During this time, I needed to manage communication with the Executive Office, coordinating efforts to reach out, the start of a new semester on my campus, - oh, and did I mention I was in my first trimester at that point?  It was a busy time, but I believe being able to successfully coordinate these elections shows a variety of abilities I have as a leader.  First and foremost, I take my responsibilities seriously.  When I committed to serving, I wanted the chair to know they could rely on me to accomplish tasks.  Additionally, I am ready, willing, and able to do the less glamorous (but necessary) tasks involved in leadership.  In the past, I created a NACADA Region 10 Conference Guidebook from scratch, developed processes to streamline our region, and created methods to track involvement of membership.  The average member of Region 10 likely is unaware of these contributions, and that is okay – my goal was to develop more effective ways for us to pursue our goals in the Region. Display Less...

I have been a part of NACADA since attending the 2011 Annual Conference in Denver, CO.  Having been involved with social media for as long as I can remember, I had already forged connections with many people in NACADA before attending my first meeting.  Having those connections helped me to immediately feel at home in the Association, and to look for ways to be involved.  I would consider myself a quiet leader, always looking for opportunities to help.  On numerous occasions, I have asked to help when I’ve spotted a need, both at the regional and national level.  I recently was chosen as part of the 2017-2019 Emerging Leader Program class, and part of this program is designed to increase diversity in NACADA leadership, an imperative need I wholeheartedly support.  One particular way this resonates with me is with my identity as someone with hearing difficulties; I am currently advocating for better incorporation of universal design principles to make our conferences more accessible.
At... Display More...

I have been a part of NACADA since attending the 2011 Annual Conference in Denver, CO.  Having been involved with social media for as long as I can remember, I had already forged connections with many people in NACADA before attending my first meeting.  Having those connections helped me to immediately feel at home in the Association, and to look for ways to be involved.  I would consider myself a quiet leader, always looking for opportunities to help.  On numerous occasions, I have asked to help when I’ve spotted a need, both at the regional and national level.  I recently was chosen as part of the 2017-2019 Emerging Leader Program class, and part of this program is designed to increase diversity in NACADA leadership, an imperative need I wholeheartedly support.  One particular way this resonates with me is with my identity as someone with hearing difficulties; I am currently advocating for better incorporation of universal design principles to make our conferences more accessible.
At the Annual Conference in St. Louis, current Region 10 Chair Kelly Medley asked me if I had any interest in running for Region 10 Chair.  At first, I was shocked to even be considered.  However, the more I think about the opportunity, the more excited I am.  The Region 10 Chair is involved in a variety of behind-the-scenes aspects of moving NACADA forward, supporting the Association’s goal for sustainable leadership, as well as pursuing innovative technologies to support our work.
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As I briefly mentioned earlier, I identify as someone with hearing difficulties.  In the past, this has been a growing frustration for me, especially as I attended conferences where presenters would refuse to use a microphone, joking “My voice is loud enough,” or “I just hate using mics!”  During the most recent NACADA convention, I realized my frustrations and negativity could be turned around and used for positive change within the Association, and I have actively worked to begin to develop universal design principles for presenters to be aware of (and hopefully agree to) when their proposals are accepted for the National Conference.  Developing accessible conferences is a key part of helping people feel included within the Association.
Further, social justice is an important value of mine.  While many of my identities are majority, I recognize the privileges associated with those identities and actively work to address issues of discrimination, harassment, and access on my campus,... Display More...

As I briefly mentioned earlier, I identify as someone with hearing difficulties.  In the past, this has been a growing frustration for me, especially as I attended conferences where presenters would refuse to use a microphone, joking “My voice is loud enough,” or “I just hate using mics!”  During the most recent NACADA convention, I realized my frustrations and negativity could be turned around and used for positive change within the Association, and I have actively worked to begin to develop universal design principles for presenters to be aware of (and hopefully agree to) when their proposals are accepted for the National Conference.  Developing accessible conferences is a key part of helping people feel included within the Association.
Further, social justice is an important value of mine.  While many of my identities are majority, I recognize the privileges associated with those identities and actively work to address issues of discrimination, harassment, and access on my campus, within my community, and within the organizations I choose to participate in.  This value will be a core component of how I would lead as a member of the NACADA leadership, advocating for change and moving our Association forward.
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I have been active in NACADA since 2011, and in my seventh year of active membership.  While I have not held any national office, I have served on the Region 10 and Technology in Advising Steering Committees, as a member of the Health Professions Advising Interest Group, as well as the High-Achieving Students Interest Group.  I actively participate in the #acadv chat, and occasionally moderate as @acadvchat when time allows.  I am also in the 2017-2019 class of Emerging Leaders, a program designed by NACADA to increase diversity and inclusion in NACADA leadership.  If elected as Region 10 Chair, it would be my first major national position within NACADA, and I am excited about the opportunity for future leadership!
However, I do have other previous experience that will likely prove helpful in this role.  My professional experience prior to becoming an academic advisor in 2011 was in residence life throughout the Front Range of Colorado (University of Northern Colorado and University of... Display More...

I have been active in NACADA since 2011, and in my seventh year of active membership.  While I have not held any national office, I have served on the Region 10 and Technology in Advising Steering Committees, as a member of the Health Professions Advising Interest Group, as well as the High-Achieving Students Interest Group.  I actively participate in the #acadv chat, and occasionally moderate as @acadvchat when time allows.  I am also in the 2017-2019 class of Emerging Leaders, a program designed by NACADA to increase diversity and inclusion in NACADA leadership.  If elected as Region 10 Chair, it would be my first major national position within NACADA, and I am excited about the opportunity for future leadership!
However, I do have other previous experience that will likely prove helpful in this role.  My professional experience prior to becoming an academic advisor in 2011 was in residence life throughout the Front Range of Colorado (University of Northern Colorado and University of Colorado-Boulder), and I have many colleagues that have gone on to academic advising positions across the Rocky Mountain region.  I also completed my doctorate at the University of Northern Colorado, and believe these connections will help provide opportunities for collaboration across institutions and functional areas of student services.
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