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).
Sam Murdock
Texas A&M University College Station 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)
Academic advising is a calling… Perhaps more than any other profession it is an extension of who you are as a person. And this organization, as grand and as global as it is, draws its strength from one very simple thing: The everyday members like YOU. It is the membership who expands the scholarship… The membership who promote the importance of the advising function… The membership who sustain the organization and its critical professional development opportunities. It is, in fact, the membership which drives the function, the features, and the future of who we are as the premier global association for academic advising. Throughout my time in this amazing association (serving in all 3 Divisions: Regional, Administrative, & what is now Advising Communities, formerly CIG), I have labored extensively to accomplish a single worthwhile goal: Increase the participation of, and opportunities for, the everyday Academic Advisors who make up this esteemed organization. As a member of the Board...
Academic advising is a calling… Perhaps more than any other profession it is an extension of who you are as a person. And this organization, as grand and as global as it is, draws its strength from one very simple thing: The everyday members like YOU. It is the membership who expands the scholarship… The membership who promote the importance of the advising function… The membership who sustain the organization and its critical professional development opportunities. It is, in fact, the membership which drives the function, the features, and the future of who we are as the premier global association for academic advising. Throughout my time in this amazing association (serving in all 3 Divisions: Regional, Administrative, & what is now Advising Communities, formerly CIG), I have labored extensively to accomplish a single worthwhile goal: Increase the participation of, and opportunities for, the everyday Academic Advisors who make up this esteemed organization. As a member of the Board of Directors, I hope to continue that drive and work towards the creation of more leadership pathways, and more service opportunities, within our ever-growing association. We need more volunteers, more researchers, more involvement at all levels… And not just more, but more diverse in all facets. Our membership is our strength… And our strength is growing. It needs to grow in diversity as it grows in opportunity, in quality as it grows in quantity, and it is my hope to further extend that to you.
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 the Advising Communities, I worked to expand the scope & diversity of proposals/reviewer positions, revitalized our online presence, and created Regional Rep. positions to increase leadership opportunities and involvement in the AT&D Community. In the Admin. Division, I guided a team of leaders in the Prof. Development Com. that completely overhauled the group to refocus its work on the prof. development offerings of the Association, include more avenues for members to pursue leadership opportunities, and create a prof. development survey by which we could regularly poll members to ensure that we were meeting their prof. development needs. In the Regional Division, I was proud to spearhead the creation of a new structure for Region 7 which brought elected representative positions to fruition, giving a vote (and a voice) to NACADA members to select their State liaisons and gain new leadership pathways (along with new positions for Budget & Communications Coordinators). However, in all...
In the Advising Communities, I worked to expand the scope & diversity of proposals/reviewer positions, revitalized our online presence, and created Regional Rep. positions to increase leadership opportunities and involvement in the AT&D Community. In the Admin. Division, I guided a team of leaders in the Prof. Development Com. that completely overhauled the group to refocus its work on the prof. development offerings of the Association, include more avenues for members to pursue leadership opportunities, and create a prof. development survey by which we could regularly poll members to ensure that we were meeting their prof. development needs. In the Regional Division, I was proud to spearhead the creation of a new structure for Region 7 which brought elected representative positions to fruition, giving a vote (and a voice) to NACADA members to select their State liaisons and gain new leadership pathways (along with new positions for Budget & Communications Coordinators). However, in all of these positions, what I am most proud of is the amazing people who succeeded me (both directly & in the positions we created). While I take no credit for all they accomplished (and are accomplishing), it is those people who rose to the challenge and boldly sought to enhance their own involvement in NACADA that truly fill me with awe (and whose accomplishments exceed my own). I won’t mention names, but I trust that they will take this message to heart. It is of YOU that I am the most proud!
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’m the first to admit that I’m no more of a leader than any of my over-worked, underpaid, all-too-often underappreciated colleagues across the globe who strive every day to enrich the educations, and futures, of our students. I am proudly, as they say, “just” an Academic Advisor. In the trenches, on the front lines, and always at the ready for the students. Being an Academic Advisor is a large part of who I am. Like you, I take pride in my profession, I invest my time, my talents, and what resources I can muster into my personal and professional development as an Academic Advisor, and I try to take an active role in the direction that it is taking on the larger stage. For no Academic Advisor is an island. We are all part of a larger field, and that requires the dedicated work of countless professionals across the globe volunteering their time & talents. We need more of the “just-an-Academic-Advisors” to take on leadership roles in NACADA if for no other reason than to maintain...
I’m the first to admit that I’m no more of a leader than any of my over-worked, underpaid, all-too-often underappreciated colleagues across the globe who strive every day to enrich the educations, and futures, of our students. I am proudly, as they say, “just” an Academic Advisor. In the trenches, on the front lines, and always at the ready for the students. Being an Academic Advisor is a large part of who I am. Like you, I take pride in my profession, I invest my time, my talents, and what resources I can muster into my personal and professional development as an Academic Advisor, and I try to take an active role in the direction that it is taking on the larger stage. For no Academic Advisor is an island. We are all part of a larger field, and that requires the dedicated work of countless professionals across the globe volunteering their time & talents. We need more of the “just-an-Academic-Advisors” to take on leadership roles in NACADA if for no other reason than to maintain that connection to our common core: the everyday importance of academic advising on student success. If we’re unsuccessful in encouraging our colleagues to actively participate in this critical academic field, then we’re failing to capitalize on the true strength and experience of our membership. To that end, I hope to use this position to further craft avenues for the continued involvement of our members from the grassroots level to the global stage. Our success will be judged by your involvement!
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)
My motivation behind pursuing this position is directly related to my desire for us to further promote inclusivity and capitalize on the strengths of our diversity. My personal involvement in NACADA has revolved around a simple purpose: To positively change the association in ways that further connect us to the grassroots of the organization, to further provide valuable (and affordable) prof. development opportunities for the everyday Academic Advisor, and to increase opportunities for leadership pathways throughout NACADA with which to better draw on the strengths of a diversified leadership. The crux of our organization is not the meeting of “the leaders” behind closed doors… It is the Town Hall meeting, where a room of ANY and ALL members are participating in a larger discussion about what we can do as an organization to better serve our membership, our goals, our institutions, and our students. Rather than seeing a small group of leaders at a distance in front of an auditorium,...
My motivation behind pursuing this position is directly related to my desire for us to further promote inclusivity and capitalize on the strengths of our diversity. My personal involvement in NACADA has revolved around a simple purpose: To positively change the association in ways that further connect us to the grassroots of the organization, to further provide valuable (and affordable) prof. development opportunities for the everyday Academic Advisor, and to increase opportunities for leadership pathways throughout NACADA with which to better draw on the strengths of a diversified leadership. The crux of our organization is not the meeting of “the leaders” behind closed doors… It is the Town Hall meeting, where a room of ANY and ALL members are participating in a larger discussion about what we can do as an organization to better serve our membership, our goals, our institutions, and our students. Rather than seeing a small group of leaders at a distance in front of an auditorium, I want our membership to see a large, diverse group of their colleagues standing amongst them… And I want those members to feel encouraged in their own leadership development to be a part of that admirable group. NACADA thrives on its diversity (of people, institutions, and experiences)… It depends upon it, and on the inclusivity that we hold as a promise. We must fulfill that promise and expand on it in a visible & meaningful way to benefit you, the membership, and your goals for our association.
Platform Statement: Part V
5. Outline your past involvement in NACADA:
a. Years in NACADA
b. National Offices Help and Accomplishments Achieved
I’ve been privileged to be a part of NACADA for 14 years now, in which I’ve served in a number of capacities (which I will briefly list here in what character limits allow) as well as having presented at every Annual/Regional Conference I’ve attended since ‘05. For a limited summary of what WE accomplished (most credit going to the awesome leaders that I worked alongside!) in my recent leadership roles, please refer to the answers above. Anything I achieved is due in large part to the amazing people that I’ve been blessed to work with, both in the membership and the Exec Office!
• Co-Chair, NACADA Region 7 Awards Com., 2015-18
• Member, NACADA Region 7 Steering Com., 2015-18
• Chair, NACADA Region 7, 2015-17
• Member, NACADA Prof. Development Com., 2011-16
• Chair, NACADA Prof. Development Com., 2013-15
• Chair, NACADA Annual Conf. Adv. Board – Annual Conf. Survey Subcom., 2012-13
• Chair, NACADA Advisor Training & Development Commission, 2011-13
• Member,...
I’ve been privileged to be a part of NACADA for 14 years now, in which I’ve served in a number of capacities (which I will briefly list here in what character limits allow) as well as having presented at every Annual/Regional Conference I’ve attended since ‘05. For a limited summary of what WE accomplished (most credit going to the awesome leaders that I worked alongside!) in my recent leadership roles, please refer to the answers above. Anything I achieved is due in large part to the amazing people that I’ve been blessed to work with, both in the membership and the Exec Office!
• Co-Chair, NACADA Region 7 Awards Com., 2015-18
• Member, NACADA Region 7 Steering Com., 2015-18
• Chair, NACADA Region 7, 2015-17
• Member, NACADA Prof. Development Com., 2011-16
• Chair, NACADA Prof. Development Com., 2013-15
• Chair, NACADA Annual Conf. Adv. Board – Annual Conf. Survey Subcom., 2012-13
• Chair, NACADA Advisor Training & Development Commission, 2011-13
• Member, NACADA Annual Conf. Adv. Board, 2011-13
• Member, NACADA Webinar Adv. Board, 2011-13
• Member, NACADA AT&D Commission Steering Com., 2009-13
• Member, NACADA National Conf. Pre-Con. Session Proposal Review Com., 2012
• Member, NACADA Annual Conf. Adv. Board – Conf. Survey Subcom., 2011-12
• Member, NACADA Service to Commission Award Selection Com., AT&D Commission, 2009-10
• MyNACADA Beta Tester (Tested MyNACADA site before launch), 2010
• Volunteer &/or Proposal Reader, NACADA Annual & Regional Conf., (countless years!)
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