Community Chairs are elected by their Community members and provide leadership for Community activities in support of the profession by representing its members and their needs and concerns through the Division Representatives and communicating with the members. Community Chairs coordinate community activities and lead Community meetings during the Annual Conference. Community Chairs report to the Division Representatives for the Advising Communities Division (ACD).
Global Engagement Chair- (elected, term October 2019-October 2021). Prior to taking office, candidates must have completed the previous year as a member in the Community and be a current member in that group.
Efrosini Hortis
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)
As advisors, we have the privilege and responsibility of molding our students into “Global Citizens” who contribute to, as well as learn from, those around them. Regardless of the myriad of “labels” we as a society, systemically place on one another, the impetus is to remove barriers and minimize differences, in an effort to promote the concept of Globalization.
One concise method of contributing to this mission, is by adopting a “Global Perspective;” recognizing that we as advising professionals must be open to learn from our students, who may be different from us, and working to identify approaches to help strengthen their academic, social, and psychological growth and well-being. When working with students, we must exercise patience, be analytical and descriptive, as well as, being open to learn about new cultures, perspectives, values and customs. The ideal meaning of Globalization is the enlightenment that we are one world, comprised of citizens who act as a single society....
As advisors, we have the privilege and responsibility of molding our students into “Global Citizens” who contribute to, as well as learn from, those around them. Regardless of the myriad of “labels” we as a society, systemically place on one another, the impetus is to remove barriers and minimize differences, in an effort to promote the concept of Globalization.
One concise method of contributing to this mission, is by adopting a “Global Perspective;” recognizing that we as advising professionals must be open to learn from our students, who may be different from us, and working to identify approaches to help strengthen their academic, social, and psychological growth and well-being. When working with students, we must exercise patience, be analytical and descriptive, as well as, being open to learn about new cultures, perspectives, values and customs. The ideal meaning of Globalization is the enlightenment that we are one world, comprised of citizens who act as a single society. This may seem a lofty feat, but we know it is not an impossibility. By serving on the Global Engagement Commission, it is my hope, that I may further this goal of enlightenment toward Globalization, my experiences as an international student, an ESL teacher and an Academic Advisor.
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 2010 I started working as an advisor in the American College of Greece, it is the largest and oldest American University in Europe. However, Greece belongs to the EU, and due to a European Law the American college of Greece needed to enter a degree validation agreement with the Open University of England. Under this agreement students would be able to graduate with a dual degree; one American and one European, by following one common curriculum. It sounds ideal but it was not an easy process. Trying to combine two educational system was a complicated endeavor.
There were changes to many facets of all degrees, and every student on campus was impacted. The front-line office to handle student concerns and questions for the entire student body, was Academic Advising. Organizational changes such as this are not easy and take a long time to be implemented and accepted. Apart from advising students I had to justify the changes to each student. I took initiative and with my supervisor, created...
In 2010 I started working as an advisor in the American College of Greece, it is the largest and oldest American University in Europe. However, Greece belongs to the EU, and due to a European Law the American college of Greece needed to enter a degree validation agreement with the Open University of England. Under this agreement students would be able to graduate with a dual degree; one American and one European, by following one common curriculum. It sounds ideal but it was not an easy process. Trying to combine two educational system was a complicated endeavor.
There were changes to many facets of all degrees, and every student on campus was impacted. The front-line office to handle student concerns and questions for the entire student body, was Academic Advising. Organizational changes such as this are not easy and take a long time to be implemented and accepted. Apart from advising students I had to justify the changes to each student. I took initiative and with my supervisor, created new audit forms with the combined curriculum. I learned how to build Academic Advising “Trees” in order to have a degree audit for every major and try to make the changes visually understandable. I am proud that I have this professional experience and know that I played a vital role during this organizational change. It was a valuable lesson on how to deal with difficult situations and leadership decisions, while at the same time, finding the best way to help students accept change.
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 am passionate about all of the things toward which the commission is endeavoring. I truly believe I can contribute in a leadership capacity and it will be viewed as an authentic contribution because I have lived a life of promoting Globalization. I was an International student myself and I have been working as an ESL teacher and advisor for most of my professional tenure. My philosophy is that in order to play an important role in students’ lives you need to be informed and be able to transfer your knowledge to others. According to Aristotle “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” I have been a member of the Global Initiatives Committee and I value the things and lessons we can learn from each other, just as I promote this philosophy with my students. I want to serve the Global Engagement Commission because it illuminates the current struggles and concerns of working with international and ESL students from an advising standpoint, and endeavors...
I am passionate about all of the things toward which the commission is endeavoring. I truly believe I can contribute in a leadership capacity and it will be viewed as an authentic contribution because I have lived a life of promoting Globalization. I was an International student myself and I have been working as an ESL teacher and advisor for most of my professional tenure. My philosophy is that in order to play an important role in students’ lives you need to be informed and be able to transfer your knowledge to others. According to Aristotle “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” I have been a member of the Global Initiatives Committee and I value the things and lessons we can learn from each other, just as I promote this philosophy with my students. I want to serve the Global Engagement Commission because it illuminates the current struggles and concerns of working with international and ESL students from an advising standpoint, and endeavors toward solutions when possible.
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)
I value personal contacts, effective intercultural skills, mutual respect and genuine appreciation of others and these characteristics that I am going to promote, via my appointment within the commission.
Examples to this end, would be to establish an introduction system welcome and meet , we can gain information about cultural backgrounds , diverse experiences and to encourage interaction between the members of the commission. It is important to rejoice similarities as well as learning from our differences, in this way we can promote and discover common interests and build cohesiveness in the commission. Also, each semester commission members can provide the commission group with information about advising techniques for International and ESL students to build a cross cultural NACADA resource library. In addition, Information Technology does magical things nowadays, and it is an easy and accessible method for commission members to use and interact. We can use electronic bulletin boards...
I value personal contacts, effective intercultural skills, mutual respect and genuine appreciation of others and these characteristics that I am going to promote, via my appointment within the commission.
Examples to this end, would be to establish an introduction system welcome and meet , we can gain information about cultural backgrounds , diverse experiences and to encourage interaction between the members of the commission. It is important to rejoice similarities as well as learning from our differences, in this way we can promote and discover common interests and build cohesiveness in the commission. Also, each semester commission members can provide the commission group with information about advising techniques for International and ESL students to build a cross cultural NACADA resource library. In addition, Information Technology does magical things nowadays, and it is an easy and accessible method for commission members to use and interact. We can use electronic bulletin boards to exchange ideas and also upload online tutorials. In order to be inclusive we have to be open to learn something unique and challenging every day. We need to include every opinion, experience, challenge, or mistake in order to develop as “Advisors with Global Perspectives” and help students become Global Citizens! In order to have openness-mutuality and active involvement which are part of our global vision it is important to communicate.
Platform Statement: Part V
5. Outline your past involvement in NACADA:
a. Years in NACADA
b. National Offices Help and Accomplishments Achieved
NACADA Involvement
• Member of NACADA 2014-Present
• Member of the Global Initiatives Committee of NACADA (2014-2016) & (2018-2020)
• Region 5 Awards Committee - 2018
• Academic Advising Today Publication: https://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/View-Articles/The-Odyssey-How-to-Help
• Nominated for Chair for the Global Initiatives Committee -NACADA (2018-2020)
• Nominated for Chair of the Global Engagement Commission- NACADA (2017-2019)
• Nominated for the NACADA Outstanding Advisor Primary Role Award (2017)
• Panel presentation about International Advising “Global Issues in Academic Advising” – Atlanta 2016
• In coordination with GIC chair Oscar van den Wijngaard and an amazing colleague from the United Arab Emirates Mehvash Ali along with the guidance of the Tech Committee we were working on a project of how to make the new NACADA site more user friendly and approachable to International members from all around the world. (2016-2017)
National...
NACADA Involvement
• Member of NACADA 2014-Present
• Member of the Global Initiatives Committee of NACADA (2014-2016) & (2018-2020)
• Region 5 Awards Committee - 2018
• Academic Advising Today Publication: https://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/View-Articles/The-Odyssey-How-to-Help
• Nominated for Chair for the Global Initiatives Committee -NACADA (2018-2020)
• Nominated for Chair of the Global Engagement Commission- NACADA (2017-2019)
• Nominated for the NACADA Outstanding Advisor Primary Role Award (2017)
• Panel presentation about International Advising “Global Issues in Academic Advising” – Atlanta 2016
• In coordination with GIC chair Oscar van den Wijngaard and an amazing colleague from the United Arab Emirates Mehvash Ali along with the guidance of the Tech Committee we were working on a project of how to make the new NACADA site more user friendly and approachable to International members from all around the world. (2016-2017)
National NACADA conferences: Phoenix 2018 - Saint Louis 2017-Atlanta 2016- Minneapolis 2014.
Being a member of NACADA, has been an amazing experience that gives me the privilege to work with colleagues from around the world in exciting projects such as the Global Glossary of Academic Advising, and reading proposals for International conferences, participating in panel presentations on Global Issues in Academic Advising and writing articles, is a way to engage and discuss issues impacting the global advising community.
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
