Region Chairs, together with their Steering Committees, and within the missions of NACADA, determine the needs of NACADA members and how best the regional governance can fill those needs. The Region Chairs report to the Regional Division Representatives.
Mid-Atlantic Region 2 Chair - (elected, term October 2014-October 2016). Nominee must be a current member of the region for which s/he is being nominated as chair and must have been a member of the region for at least one year prior to taking office (Associate Members are not eligible).
Mrs. Melinda Anderson
Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond 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?
NACADA’s strategic goals help to build a solid foundation for our professional association in three distinct ways. NACADA creates opportunities for its members to increase scholarship in the field of academic advising, promotes diversity and inclusion in all areas of its membership, and builds an organizational culture that thrives on assessment to continually improve its organizational practices. My platform for Chair runs parallel in supporting these goals within Region 2.
As Region 2 Chair, I would like to support our members by increasing research and scholarship in the field of academic advising while supporting consistent opportunities for professional development. I want to support the creation of writing groups and research communities that encourage members to work together to share best practices and information that will help to promote the interests of all. By encouraging different modalities for professional development, we can engage NACADA members and potential members...
NACADA’s strategic goals help to build a solid foundation for our professional association in three distinct ways. NACADA creates opportunities for its members to increase scholarship in the field of academic advising, promotes diversity and inclusion in all areas of its membership, and builds an organizational culture that thrives on assessment to continually improve its organizational practices. My platform for Chair runs parallel in supporting these goals within Region 2.
As Region 2 Chair, I would like to support our members by increasing research and scholarship in the field of academic advising while supporting consistent opportunities for professional development. I want to support the creation of writing groups and research communities that encourage members to work together to share best practices and information that will help to promote the interests of all. By encouraging different modalities for professional development, we can engage NACADA members and potential members to draw upon the resources and opportunities within NACADA. I will continue to support the diversity and inclusion goals by continuing to promote leadership opportunities at the state, regional and national level. By evaluating the membership in the region I will be able to determine our strengths and challenges in relation to our current members. I will continue to work with our region’s steering committee to ensure that our resources and operational procedures adequately support the goals for our region, which ultimately lead back to our national goals.
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?
I have had some amazing experiences in NACADA but there is one specific example that best highlights certain aspects of my leadership style. One of the accomplishments that I am most proud of in NACADA was within my role as Virginia representative. My leadership style is highly collaborative. I am authentic in the way that I operate and strongly believe in communicating with transparency so that everyone is aware and understands the goals of the project we are working to accomplish. I believe in having a heart of service because NACADA members volunteer their time and energy to contribute to its success.
When I first became a state representative I was excited to meet everyone across the Commonwealth of Virginia in order to create a strong series of drive-in conferences. I created a survey for Virginia members to determine when and where would be the best location to hold the drive-in conference for 2012. After the conference location was determined, NACADA members were asked if they...
I have had some amazing experiences in NACADA but there is one specific example that best highlights certain aspects of my leadership style. One of the accomplishments that I am most proud of in NACADA was within my role as Virginia representative. My leadership style is highly collaborative. I am authentic in the way that I operate and strongly believe in communicating with transparency so that everyone is aware and understands the goals of the project we are working to accomplish. I believe in having a heart of service because NACADA members volunteer their time and energy to contribute to its success.
When I first became a state representative I was excited to meet everyone across the Commonwealth of Virginia in order to create a strong series of drive-in conferences. I created a survey for Virginia members to determine when and where would be the best location to hold the drive-in conference for 2012. After the conference location was determined, NACADA members were asked if they were interested in participating on the conference planning committee. Virginia NACADA members from six different higher education institutions came together to support the drive in and over 100 NACADA members and non-members attended. A challenge that Virginia drive-ins face is due to the size of the state and some members and potential members might not benefit from a drive-in because of how far away the conference site might be located from their campuses. After the success of this conference Virginia NACADA members were polled and it was determined that the Virginia conference should move around the state in order for everyone to benefit regardless of where they lived.
I am happy to report that the past state drive-in conference was more successful than the first. Conference attendance increased by 20 while generating over $1,000 that will be able to support professional opportunities across the Commonwealth. More importantly, interest in NACADA has increased helping to promote the benefits and opportunities that members can have within the organization.
Our greatest strength lies within all of our members and like Virginia, our region’s greatest assets are a rich sense of history and diversity within the higher education institutions located in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. My collaborative leadership style, open and honest communication and heart of service are characteristics that I think are important to serve our great region. It would be an honor to serve as I work diligently to support our collective interests across the region.
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?
When I joined NACADA in 2009 I could not have imagined the opportunities that I have been fortunate to experience. My first honor was as a recipient for a scholarship to the assessment institution. It was there that I experienced amazing support from other NACADA members and I was hooked. I became inspired to help others as I was helped. I served as a hospitality co-chair for a Region 2 conference in 2010 and was encouraged to take on other leadership positions.
In wanting more support and direction to find the best way to serve in NACADA, I applied and was accepted to be in the Emerging Leader Program class of 2011-13. It was through this program that I developed goals to serve my state and region. I was honored when nominated for this position and I am driven to run for election because I believe in NACADA’s organizational vision and mission. If elected as Region 2, it would be an incredible opportunity to support NACADA and while serving the membership that I have come to know,...
When I joined NACADA in 2009 I could not have imagined the opportunities that I have been fortunate to experience. My first honor was as a recipient for a scholarship to the assessment institution. It was there that I experienced amazing support from other NACADA members and I was hooked. I became inspired to help others as I was helped. I served as a hospitality co-chair for a Region 2 conference in 2010 and was encouraged to take on other leadership positions.
In wanting more support and direction to find the best way to serve in NACADA, I applied and was accepted to be in the Emerging Leader Program class of 2011-13. It was through this program that I developed goals to serve my state and region. I was honored when nominated for this position and I am driven to run for election because I believe in NACADA’s organizational vision and mission. If elected as Region 2, it would be an incredible opportunity to support NACADA and while serving the membership that I have come to know, respect and love.
Past Involvement in NACADA
4. Outline your past involvement in NACADA:
a. Years in NACADA
b. National Offices Help and Accomplishments Achieved
c. Regional Activities/Offices Held, including accomplishments achieved in office
d. Etc.
Membership in NACADA: 4 years
National Involvement:
• Emerging Leaders Graduate Class 2011-13
• Member of Diversity Committee – 2011 to Present
o Leading research initiative to evaluate diversity in NACADA membership
• Member of Member Services Committee – 2012 to Present
o Co-Presented How to Conduct an Advising Job Search 201, 2013
o Critiqued resumes in Member Career Services Booth
• Commission and Interest Group Memberships: Multicultural Concerns, Pre-Law Advising, Health Professions, Advising Administration Commission
Regional Involvements:
• Served a Co-Chair for Hospitality Committee for Regional 2 Conference 2010
o Planned and executed hospitality events for Regional 2 Conference
• Proposal Reader for Regional 2 Conference 2011
State Involvements:
• Virginia State Representative – 2012 to Present
o Co-Chair for State Conference Planning Drive-In 2012
NACADA Presentations:
• Inaugural International Conference 2013
o Panel...
Membership in NACADA: 4 years
National Involvement:
• Emerging Leaders Graduate Class 2011-13
• Member of Diversity Committee – 2011 to Present
o Leading research initiative to evaluate diversity in NACADA membership
• Member of Member Services Committee – 2012 to Present
o Co-Presented How to Conduct an Advising Job Search 201, 2013
o Critiqued resumes in Member Career Services Booth
• Commission and Interest Group Memberships: Multicultural Concerns, Pre-Law Advising, Health Professions, Advising Administration Commission
Regional Involvements:
• Served a Co-Chair for Hospitality Committee for Regional 2 Conference 2010
o Planned and executed hospitality events for Regional 2 Conference
• Proposal Reader for Regional 2 Conference 2011
State Involvements:
• Virginia State Representative – 2012 to Present
o Co-Chair for State Conference Planning Drive-In 2012
NACADA Presentations:
• Inaugural International Conference 2013
o Panel Presentation for Emerging Leaders Program
• National Conference
o Co-Presenter for Emerging Leaders Program, 2012
o Co-Presenter: How to Conduct an Advising Job Search, 2012, 2013
• Regional Conference
o Co-Presenter for Emerging Leaders Program, 2013
o Co-Presenter: Virtual Group Advising, 2013
o Co-Presenter: Pre-Conference Graduate Job Search Boot Camp, 2013
• State Conference
o Co-Presenter: Peer Advising Program, 2012
o Co-Presenter: Virtual Group Advising Summer Program, 2013
NACADA Awards & Recognition:
• Assessment Institute Scholarship Winner, 2010
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