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).
Career Advising 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.
Kimberly S Smith
Virginia Tech Blacksburg VA
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)
Given our critical role with students, academic advisors can be among the most significant career influencers for colleges and universities. As such, if elected as Career Advising Chair, I will work with a committee to facilitate advisors’ preparedness to function at full capacity as career influencers by:
• Increasing advisors’ knowledge acquired by study of the importance and methods of integrating academic and career advising
• Expand the professional development opportunities available to advisors and advising administrators regarding the career exploration and development
• Develop recommended strategies to create a synthesized approach for advisors to engage and support students to create career goals as they explore career options, make informed career decisions, and become career ready by building the skills needed to be more confident and competitive at the time of graduation
• Foster inclusive practices by examining how integration may vary institutional type...
Given our critical role with students, academic advisors can be among the most significant career influencers for colleges and universities. As such, if elected as Career Advising Chair, I will work with a committee to facilitate advisors’ preparedness to function at full capacity as career influencers by:
• Increasing advisors’ knowledge acquired by study of the importance and methods of integrating academic and career advising
• Expand the professional development opportunities available to advisors and advising administrators regarding the career exploration and development
• Develop recommended strategies to create a synthesized approach for advisors to engage and support students to create career goals as they explore career options, make informed career decisions, and become career ready by building the skills needed to be more confident and competitive at the time of graduation
• Foster inclusive practices by examining how integration may vary institutional type and culture
• Reinforce with the Association leadership the importance of career advising being viewed as a natural and integral part of academic advising. Encourage the inclusion of the integration of academic and career advising into university advising assessment plans
• Explore the use of innovative technology tools and resources to support the integration of academic and career advising.
Each of these goals are intended to support the strategic goals of the Association.
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 my role at my current institution, I have worked diligently to change the culture of advising by providing leadership and coordination for university-wide programs and initiatives related to enhancing academic advising. Specifically, I have for developed, implemented , monitored, and assessed academic advising activities throughout the university community through administrative collaborations with the academic colleges, the University Academic Advising Center, and various other university stakeholders in support of undergraduate education. After conducting a rigorous assessment, I developed several academic advising priorities for Virginia Tech. Based on the needs identified in the assessment of academic advising, three priorities were established to enhance the quality of academic advising: developing a consistently high quality of advising services delivered to students, developing a comprehensive faculty and professional advisor development program, making effective use of technology...
In my role at my current institution, I have worked diligently to change the culture of advising by providing leadership and coordination for university-wide programs and initiatives related to enhancing academic advising. Specifically, I have for developed, implemented , monitored, and assessed academic advising activities throughout the university community through administrative collaborations with the academic colleges, the University Academic Advising Center, and various other university stakeholders in support of undergraduate education. After conducting a rigorous assessment, I developed several academic advising priorities for Virginia Tech. Based on the needs identified in the assessment of academic advising, three priorities were established to enhance the quality of academic advising: developing a consistently high quality of advising services delivered to students, developing a comprehensive faculty and professional advisor development program, making effective use of technology that supports both the system of academic advising, as well as the delivery of advising services. Attention to these priorities, as an institution, has allowed us to improve the overall advising experience for all of our undergraduate students.
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) My interest in serving as Career Advising Chair is a means of giving back to NACADA. This organization has been critical to my success as a professional. Now that I have grown significantly as a result of the support and resources available through NACADA and have developed expertise in various areas, I am able to find direct means to contribute to the profession.
I have extensive experience building and leading teams to success, and I truly enjoy helping people work hard and achieve goals relative to integrating NACADA values individuals who are able to effectively communicate unique and creative ideas. In addition, my professional background includes experience in both academic advising and career counseling.
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)
An inclusive organization values a greater variety of backgrounds, talents, and experiences that enable organizations to have higher flexibility in adapting to the needs of its membership. As Career Advising Chair, I will promote the enhancement of inclusivity by:
• Committing with purpose
I will make a commitment to advancing the integration of academic and career advising. As chair, I will work to collaboratively create a clear purpose statement declaring our commitment to a culture of inclusion within all of our efforts.
• Changing participation
If the same people are in the same room all the time, you will yield the same results. A majority priority for me will be to invite more diverse members to join the conversation.
• Leading by example
As a leader I will model inclusive behavior and live the commitment. I will actively be open to engaging with all members, and deliberately include voices from different backgrounds and perspectives.
• Acknowledging the biases
We...
An inclusive organization values a greater variety of backgrounds, talents, and experiences that enable organizations to have higher flexibility in adapting to the needs of its membership. As Career Advising Chair, I will promote the enhancement of inclusivity by:
• Committing with purpose
I will make a commitment to advancing the integration of academic and career advising. As chair, I will work to collaboratively create a clear purpose statement declaring our commitment to a culture of inclusion within all of our efforts.
• Changing participation
If the same people are in the same room all the time, you will yield the same results. A majority priority for me will be to invite more diverse members to join the conversation.
• Leading by example
As a leader I will model inclusive behavior and live the commitment. I will actively be open to engaging with all members, and deliberately include voices from different backgrounds and perspectives.
• Acknowledging the biases
We all have biases, and it’s important to acknowledge them. I will ensure a safe place for everyone to examine themselves and recognize their own biases so they can work on eliminating them. This can be as holistic as hosting training and workshops.
• Embracing the differences
NACADA will be only as valuable as the talent it retains and attracts. This is why all leadership is charged with delivering a great participation experience.
Platform Statement: Part V
5. Outline your past involvement in NACADA:
a. Years in NACADA
b. National Offices Help and Accomplishments Achieved
• 23+ years in NACADA
• presented at the regional, national, and international level at various professional conferences on topics related to assessment of advising, advising undecided students, utilization of technology in advising, and developing an effective advising program for orientation
• co-author of a chapter entitled “Applying Quality Educational Principles to Academic Advising.”
• written a chapter based on her research on undecided students to be included in a book entitled “Research Studies in Higher Education: Educating Multicultural College Students.”
• serving as a member of NACADA’s Consult and Speakers Bureau
• serving as a fellow with the Excellence in Academic Advising (EAA) collaborative between NACADA and the Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education to advance student learning, success, persistence, retention, and degree completion through a comprehensive, standards-based assessment process to promote excellence in...
• 23+ years in NACADA
• presented at the regional, national, and international level at various professional conferences on topics related to assessment of advising, advising undecided students, utilization of technology in advising, and developing an effective advising program for orientation
• co-author of a chapter entitled “Applying Quality Educational Principles to Academic Advising.”
• written a chapter based on her research on undecided students to be included in a book entitled “Research Studies in Higher Education: Educating Multicultural College Students.”
• serving as a member of NACADA’s Consult and Speakers Bureau
• serving as a fellow with the Excellence in Academic Advising (EAA) collaborative between NACADA and the Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education to advance student learning, success, persistence, retention, and degree completion through a comprehensive, standards-based assessment process to promote excellence in academic advising.
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