As Academic Advisors, we cherish those moments of creating experiences for students to feel as though they matter in their community and they belong.  Consistent with the strategic goals for NACADA, inclusivity is an essential key to the sustainability of the association.  NACADA needs to be a home for all members, who support the various needs of a diverse student population.  In creating spaces where membership feels they both matter and belong, as we do with our students, I look forward to working in collaboration with the voiceless throughout this amazing field of Academic Advising.  We need them to partner with those of us having the privilege to participation in networking, training and development as their insight will help us to shape and advance the future of our work and association.  In turn, greater inclusivity will guide us all in advancing student success and our global society.  Efforts could include NACADA IN YOUR BACKYARD, identifying regions and locations not routinely... Display More...

As Academic Advisors, we cherish those moments of creating experiences for students to feel as though they matter in their community and they belong.  Consistent with the strategic goals for NACADA, inclusivity is an essential key to the sustainability of the association.  NACADA needs to be a home for all members, who support the various needs of a diverse student population.  In creating spaces where membership feels they both matter and belong, as we do with our students, I look forward to working in collaboration with the voiceless throughout this amazing field of Academic Advising.  We need them to partner with those of us having the privilege to participation in networking, training and development as their insight will help us to shape and advance the future of our work and association.  In turn, greater inclusivity will guide us all in advancing student success and our global society.  Efforts could include NACADA IN YOUR BACKYARD, identifying regions and locations not routinely accessing the state, regional or annual conference events, and having limited resources to engage with networking, training and development. I firmly believe that there is a place for every academic advisor across this world in our Global Community for Academic Advising.  As we invest in our membership, we invest in the success of our society as a whole.
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As Dean of Advising and Academic Success at Wheaton (MA), I was charged with establishing a team of faculty who would assess current student success efforts and establish a set of expectations for the campus community through an institutional white paper. It was critical to listen to the faculty and meet them where they were at.  What were their questions, expectations of each other and goals for this project?  Who were the key institutional partners and what were the data they needed? Planning and guidance were essential for facilitating a team of faculty having differing perspectives in this assessment process.  Active listening and constructive feedback was critical, and as conflict arose, ground rules were set for productive dialogue that enabled deeper understanding.

As a result of the year-long project, we put together Wheaton’s first white paper and released it prior to the college’s inaugural Student Success Summit in May 2017.  This paper and the Summit broke new ground.... Display More...

As Dean of Advising and Academic Success at Wheaton (MA), I was charged with establishing a team of faculty who would assess current student success efforts and establish a set of expectations for the campus community through an institutional white paper. It was critical to listen to the faculty and meet them where they were at.  What were their questions, expectations of each other and goals for this project?  Who were the key institutional partners and what were the data they needed? Planning and guidance were essential for facilitating a team of faculty having differing perspectives in this assessment process.  Active listening and constructive feedback was critical, and as conflict arose, ground rules were set for productive dialogue that enabled deeper understanding.

As a result of the year-long project, we put together Wheaton’s first white paper and released it prior to the college’s inaugural Student Success Summit in May 2017.  This paper and the Summit broke new ground. Faculty and staff connected around the common goal of student success and crossed over the traditional lines dividing faculty and staff to focus on new models of integration and partnership.  In reflection, I am reminded that we are all in the role of teacher and learner, where listening and understanding serve as the foundations for forward progress.  As a leader, I believe we must work in partnership, sharing our unique perspectives that inform the realization of a common vision.
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As a child of immigrant parents, I recall my mother always reminding me of the importance of education.  She inspired me to continue to learn, as she would have cherished that opportunity if she was afforded it.  Unlike other Portuguese households, I had the privilege of being raised by a woman who understood the possibilities provided through education and the importance of progress.
 
As a first-generation college student and through my professional career, I have had many invested advisors, mentors, guides and friends who have shaped me and helped me to make a positive difference in the lives of others.  My academic dean during my undergraduate career was an advisor, then a mentor in the field of academic advising and most importantly as a role model and friend. With almost 20 years of professional experience, at almost every institution type, it is now my responsibility to create opportunities for others to learn about our field.  I seek to prepare the future leaders in academic... Display More...

As a child of immigrant parents, I recall my mother always reminding me of the importance of education.  She inspired me to continue to learn, as she would have cherished that opportunity if she was afforded it.  Unlike other Portuguese households, I had the privilege of being raised by a woman who understood the possibilities provided through education and the importance of progress.
 
As a first-generation college student and through my professional career, I have had many invested advisors, mentors, guides and friends who have shaped me and helped me to make a positive difference in the lives of others.  My academic dean during my undergraduate career was an advisor, then a mentor in the field of academic advising and most importantly as a role model and friend. With almost 20 years of professional experience, at almost every institution type, it is now my responsibility to create opportunities for others to learn about our field.  I seek to prepare the future leaders in academic advising who will shape the scholarship and practice needed to impact the next generation. All it takes is one person to inspire another, and allow that ripple effect to take hold.  I thank my mother for igniting that spark early in my childhood and grateful for my mentors and the many leaders influencing me both personally and professionally.  In turn, it is my responsibility to enable the same opportunity for others in our field.
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The more inclusive an organization, the stronger it is. To develop and enhance inclusivity, we need to create a safe space for discourse and learning, and afford the time for members and leadership to do this important work.  Space and time are not the only two necessary ingredients, as becoming a more inclusive association will require that we come to a deeper understanding of our needs and priorities that set the stage for action and implementation.  Space, time, understanding and action frame the work of enhancing inclusivity.
 
As a NACADA leader, I have a personal responsibility to create space and time with individual colleagues in the field, and welcome them wholly as members of this community.  As a leader amongst leaders, I have a personal responsibility for partnering with my colleagues to create space and time for groups and diverse populations to share their experience in the association and provide our community with critical insight.  Our understanding of needs will... Display More...

The more inclusive an organization, the stronger it is. To develop and enhance inclusivity, we need to create a safe space for discourse and learning, and afford the time for members and leadership to do this important work.  Space and time are not the only two necessary ingredients, as becoming a more inclusive association will require that we come to a deeper understanding of our needs and priorities that set the stage for action and implementation.  Space, time, understanding and action frame the work of enhancing inclusivity.
 
As a NACADA leader, I have a personal responsibility to create space and time with individual colleagues in the field, and welcome them wholly as members of this community.  As a leader amongst leaders, I have a personal responsibility for partnering with my colleagues to create space and time for groups and diverse populations to share their experience in the association and provide our community with critical insight.  Our understanding of needs will help to inform our actions that enable further development of a holistic community.  We cannot do this work separately or alone.  Together, with a deeper appreciation of what we each bring to the table, we will become a stronger association, a stronger field and strengthen our global community through our work of supporting student success across the world.
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