The NACADA Board of Directors is the official governing body of the Association, and provides direction for the Association by developing and maintaining the Association's strategic plan.
Board of Directors - 3 positions available, three-year term each (October 2019-October 2022). Nominees must have served a full term as a Chair of a Division level sub-unit (Region, Committee, Advising Community).
Erin M Donahoe-Rankin
University of North Texas Denton TX
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)
I value the efforts already happening that increase awareness of, offer transparency into, & build momentum for NACADA’s Strategic Goals (SG) as a whole. I’d like to contribute to that work, potentially through ideas like this:
-Consider how on-going practices can be more fully grounded in the SG, EX: There has been discussion about the Advising Community Fair at Annual Conference-how should this event meet and/or promote the SG?
-Identify ways we can increase members’ awareness/access to on-going information about NACADA & the SG, EX: The online "NACADA Strategic Goals, Benchmarks and Measurements" document empowers members through transparency-knowing what is happening means knowing where you can get involved.
-Offer members diverse opportunities to engage in activities related to the SG, EX: Folks are using the Core Competencies for training. Peter Hagan’s new book looks at advisor development through a different lens. Might there be a way to create & disseminate materials...
I value the efforts already happening that increase awareness of, offer transparency into, & build momentum for NACADA’s Strategic Goals (SG) as a whole. I’d like to contribute to that work, potentially through ideas like this:
-Consider how on-going practices can be more fully grounded in the SG, EX: There has been discussion about the Advising Community Fair at Annual Conference-how should this event meet and/or promote the SG?
-Identify ways we can increase members’ awareness/access to on-going information about NACADA & the SG, EX: The online "NACADA Strategic Goals, Benchmarks and Measurements" document empowers members through transparency-knowing what is happening means knowing where you can get involved.
-Offer members diverse opportunities to engage in activities related to the SG, EX: Folks are using the Core Competencies for training. Peter Hagan’s new book looks at advisor development through a different lens. Might there be a way to create & disseminate materials for advising offices to use in introducing & discussing these items? Such discussions could empower members in bringing current research to their institutions, afford opportunities for members, & future members, to actively engage with current research, & build an accessible entry point for new scholar-practitioners.
NACADA is not a nameless, faceless organization; we are all NACADA. Therefore, the SG belong to all of us. They ought to be familiar, as part an integral part of what we do.
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)
When asked similar questions in the past, I often highlight that the best leaders I meet admit that sometimes success has a lot to do with luck. I find that motivating—if luck is always or often a factor, then why not try? Play the odds. What I find most useful, most within my control, is the ability to capitalize on luck through flexibility, preparedness, and always looking for potential opportunities. One example of this was during my time as Liberal Arts Advising Community Chair. According to my review of past conferences, the Liberal Arts Advisors Commission presented a HOT TOPIC session for the first time in 9 years during the Annual Conference in Atlanta 2016. I did not set or anticipate that goal, but it presented itself. My goal had been to engage the members of the community, and this was a much better chance to do that then the ideas I originally had. Hot Topics were also held in St. Louis, 2017, and Phoenix, 2018. For me, that others have taken the time and energy to...
When asked similar questions in the past, I often highlight that the best leaders I meet admit that sometimes success has a lot to do with luck. I find that motivating—if luck is always or often a factor, then why not try? Play the odds. What I find most useful, most within my control, is the ability to capitalize on luck through flexibility, preparedness, and always looking for potential opportunities. One example of this was during my time as Liberal Arts Advising Community Chair. According to my review of past conferences, the Liberal Arts Advisors Commission presented a HOT TOPIC session for the first time in 9 years during the Annual Conference in Atlanta 2016. I did not set or anticipate that goal, but it presented itself. My goal had been to engage the members of the community, and this was a much better chance to do that then the ideas I originally had. Hot Topics were also held in St. Louis, 2017, and Phoenix, 2018. For me, that others have taken the time and energy to continue those sessions reflects an increase in the involvement of the members of that community, and that is something of which I am proud. Moreover, I am proud that I am still finding new ways to contribute and learn from others.
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)
Serving NACADA has been one of the easiest decisions of my professional career. While I have been fortunate to be supported by many individuals, NACADA remains the single most positive element in my development. My indebtedness to this organization is only surpassed by the joy it continues to provide, a joy born from both the people and the work we do together. I did not anticipate running for this position. To be quite open, I had every intention of running for something else. I was surprised and humbled by my nomination, and took the whole month we were given to consider my acceptance. Giving back is a powerful, valid, and common motivation. But we can all give back in so many ways besides elected positions, and therefore, it seems important to give you, the voting members, more than that reason alone. Appreciation and commitment are only prerequisites. In the end, I am asking for this opportunity to serve on the Board because there is so much good in NACADA, and yet there is...
Serving NACADA has been one of the easiest decisions of my professional career. While I have been fortunate to be supported by many individuals, NACADA remains the single most positive element in my development. My indebtedness to this organization is only surpassed by the joy it continues to provide, a joy born from both the people and the work we do together. I did not anticipate running for this position. To be quite open, I had every intention of running for something else. I was surprised and humbled by my nomination, and took the whole month we were given to consider my acceptance. Giving back is a powerful, valid, and common motivation. But we can all give back in so many ways besides elected positions, and therefore, it seems important to give you, the voting members, more than that reason alone. Appreciation and commitment are only prerequisites. In the end, I am asking for this opportunity to serve on the Board because there is so much good in NACADA, and yet there is work to be done. I am a committed optimist, insofar as I believe we can always do better, do more. That is what I want-to not give back what I have received, but to give more and help envision new ways NACADA gives to all its members.
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 best work I can do begins with listening. I have much to learn about the on-going work toward this goal, and the how it all fits together, from Town Halls to Strategic Goal Benchmarks. I admit that questions and dialogue are a big part of how I listen; I want to understand-deeply, not superficially. A benefit of this approach is that I see questions and critiques in general as positive; they are proof that folks are thinking critically about what NACADA can and ought to be, now and in the future. I am invested in the change that can grow from asking tough questions, and from listening to the answers that expose our ignorance, our flawed attempts, and/or our well-intentioned errors. Working to identify actionable items without undermining the plurality of experiences and needs, and then communicating those clearly, affords us all the opportunity to be held accountable for those intentions and outcomes. In other words, I begin from the idea that we serve one another best when we...
The best work I can do begins with listening. I have much to learn about the on-going work toward this goal, and the how it all fits together, from Town Halls to Strategic Goal Benchmarks. I admit that questions and dialogue are a big part of how I listen; I want to understand-deeply, not superficially. A benefit of this approach is that I see questions and critiques in general as positive; they are proof that folks are thinking critically about what NACADA can and ought to be, now and in the future. I am invested in the change that can grow from asking tough questions, and from listening to the answers that expose our ignorance, our flawed attempts, and/or our well-intentioned errors. Working to identify actionable items without undermining the plurality of experiences and needs, and then communicating those clearly, affords us all the opportunity to be held accountable for those intentions and outcomes. In other words, I begin from the idea that we serve one another best when we are explicit and transparent and respect the inherent vulnerability that comes with that. There is an important categorical difference between innovation and justice, outside the scope of this question, but both do require risk. For my part, I commit to doing more- doing better, because it is worth the risk.
Platform Statement: Part V
5. Outline your past involvement in NACADA:
a. Years in NACADA
b. National Offices Help and Accomplishments Achieved
Years in NACADA: 11 (member since 2007)
Mentor, Emerging Leaders Program, class of 2018-2020
Advising Communities Division (ACD) Steering Committee Member, 2017-2019
Advising Communities Division Service Award Committee Chair, 2018-present
Liberal Arts Advising Commission Chair, 2014-2017
Liberal Arts Advising Steering Committee member, 2017-present
Theory, Philosophy, & History (TPH) Commission Steering Committee Member, 2010-present
Presenter, Theory, Philosophy, & History (TPH) Online Discussion, April 2017
Annual Conference Proposal Reader, 2010-2017
Presenter, Annual Conference 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017
(2017- Theory, Philosophy, and History Commission Sponsored Selection)
(2013- Multicultural Commission Sponsored Selection)
Presenter, Region 10 Conference 2011, 2017
NACADA Region 10 Steering Committee, Research and Scholarship Chair, 2018
NACADA Region 10 Conference Co-Chair, 2012
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