Region 9 spans across California, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. This diversity is one of our regions strengths, however it also means that some members may face the challenge of geographic isolation. To ensure that R9 members have access to professional development, I would like to explore virtual “drive ins” or webinars. These virtual events would enable members from across our region to network and share their expertise, without requiring a large monetary investment, thus making professional development accessible to more members.

I would also like to explore strategies on making NACADA a more ethnically diverse organization. Whether it be through a mentorship program or expanding on the Communities, I believe that our region can help lead the conversation in making NACADA a more inclusive space.

To help meet the strategic goals of the Association, I will work with our members and the R9 Steering Committee to provide quality professional... Display More...

Region 9 spans across California, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. This diversity is one of our regions strengths, however it also means that some members may face the challenge of geographic isolation. To ensure that R9 members have access to professional development, I would like to explore virtual “drive ins” or webinars. These virtual events would enable members from across our region to network and share their expertise, without requiring a large monetary investment, thus making professional development accessible to more members.

I would also like to explore strategies on making NACADA a more ethnically diverse organization. Whether it be through a mentorship program or expanding on the Communities, I believe that our region can help lead the conversation in making NACADA a more inclusive space.

To help meet the strategic goals of the Association, I will work with our members and the R9 Steering Committee to provide quality professional development opportunities; advocate for the academic advising profession while highlighting its correlation to student success; and encourage members to be active participants in the scholarship of academic advising. As the Chair I would also look for intentional ways to foster diversity and inclusivity in all of our initiatives, events, and programming.
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The accomplishment that comes to mind is my work in my department’s advising center. Since I started in the department about five years ago, I modified counseling services to better meet the needs of students in our programs. I increased efficiency by streamlining processes, introduced technology, and created partnerships with faculty and students. Prior to my arrival, the department was somewhat siloed, however I bridged the gap between academic and student affairs by cultivating relationships and building trust with faculty across our programs and throughout the campus. In partnership with our faculty, I also reached out to four-year campuses to develop articulation agreements for our students, making the transfer process seamless. These changes have directly contributed to the success of my students.

My work as an academic advisor within my department was recognized in 2017 when I was awarded the Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching. On my campus, this peer and student nominated... Display More...

The accomplishment that comes to mind is my work in my department’s advising center. Since I started in the department about five years ago, I modified counseling services to better meet the needs of students in our programs. I increased efficiency by streamlining processes, introduced technology, and created partnerships with faculty and students. Prior to my arrival, the department was somewhat siloed, however I bridged the gap between academic and student affairs by cultivating relationships and building trust with faculty across our programs and throughout the campus. In partnership with our faculty, I also reached out to four-year campuses to develop articulation agreements for our students, making the transfer process seamless. These changes have directly contributed to the success of my students.

My work as an academic advisor within my department was recognized in 2017 when I was awarded the Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching. On my campus, this peer and student nominated award had been awarded to instructional faculty for over 35 years, however I broke the trend and was awarded the honor an academic advisor.

These accomplishments speak to my ability to motivate and build relationships, think strategically, and implement ideas. My leadership philosophy is grounded in notion of servant leadership. I believe in leading by actions, creating a culture of trust and transparency, valuing diversity, and investing in good people.
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Over 13 years ago when I first entered the field of academic advising, NACADA was one of the first professional organizations I joined. The first annual conference I attended opened my eyes to the possibilities in our field and excited me about the work I was doing. I witnessed how important academic advising was and saw its direct correlation to student success. These lasting impressions have stayed with me and have molded me into the academic advisor that I am today. For that I am eternally grateful to NACADA and its community. Through NACADA I have had the opportunity to network, engage in meaningful professional development opportunities, and have continuously been impressed by the knowledgebase, vibrancy, and diversity of our region. NACADA has played a significant role in my professional growth and I would be honored to give back as R9 Chair.

Although I have been a member of NACADA for many years, my engagement with R9 significantly increased over the past two years. I am currently... Display More...

Over 13 years ago when I first entered the field of academic advising, NACADA was one of the first professional organizations I joined. The first annual conference I attended opened my eyes to the possibilities in our field and excited me about the work I was doing. I witnessed how important academic advising was and saw its direct correlation to student success. These lasting impressions have stayed with me and have molded me into the academic advisor that I am today. For that I am eternally grateful to NACADA and its community. Through NACADA I have had the opportunity to network, engage in meaningful professional development opportunities, and have continuously been impressed by the knowledgebase, vibrancy, and diversity of our region. NACADA has played a significant role in my professional growth and I would be honored to give back as R9 Chair.

Although I have been a member of NACADA for many years, my engagement with R9 significantly increased over the past two years. I am currently on the Steering Committee as the 2019 Region 9/10 Annual Conference Co-chair and have been on the R9 Award/Scholarship Selection Committee and the Annual Conference Scholarship Review Committee. Through these roles, I have become more familiar with our region as well as the role of Chair and have gained a better understand how the region and association work together.  I have truly enjoyed helping to shape the future of our Region and would be honored to continue doing so as Chair. Display Less...

Region 9 has historically been one of the most diverse regions and therefore, I believe that our members have a lot to share both internal and external to our region. As Chair, I’d like to highlight the cultural richness of the region by encouraging members to showcase their cultures and share how academic advising is practiced on their campuses at the point of intersection with the communities they serve. I would also encourage our members to engage in scholarship, as innovative ideas and solutions informed by a variety of identities and perspectives is vital to our profession.

As mentioned in Part I, I would also like to work with the steering committee to come up with possible strategies that the Executive Office could use to make the greater organization a more ethnically diverse space.

Finally, to promote inclusivity, one of the issues I would like to address with the association is the selection of annual conference locations. The 2019 Annual Conference will be held in a... Display More...

Region 9 has historically been one of the most diverse regions and therefore, I believe that our members have a lot to share both internal and external to our region. As Chair, I’d like to highlight the cultural richness of the region by encouraging members to showcase their cultures and share how academic advising is practiced on their campuses at the point of intersection with the communities they serve. I would also encourage our members to engage in scholarship, as innovative ideas and solutions informed by a variety of identities and perspectives is vital to our profession.

As mentioned in Part I, I would also like to work with the steering committee to come up with possible strategies that the Executive Office could use to make the greater organization a more ethnically diverse space.

Finally, to promote inclusivity, one of the issues I would like to address with the association is the selection of annual conference locations. The 2019 Annual Conference will be held in a state in which discriminatory practices are in place.  In line with NACADA's strategic goals regarding inclusivity, I would like to encourage leadership to be more mindful when selecting conference locations, as everyone deserves to feel safe while attending a conference.  

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