One NACADA Strategic Goal is to “expand and communicate the scholarship of academic advising”. For me, this is accomplished by providing avenues for advisors to get together, discuss institutional challenges, and develop their own best practices for the betterment of their students. As the Advising Transfer Students Commission Chair, I want to expand the networking opportunities for commission members through a number of channels. First, I would look for ways to expand our NACADA listserv presence to engage commission members on a regular basis and encourage members to share innovative programs throughout the year. Secondly, I would expand the commission’s social media presence to help advisors from various institutions network and stay current with transfer issues and programs.  Thirdly, I would use the commission to help identify and empower members to present on transfer issues at both the regional and national level. As Advising Transfer Students Commission Chair, I want to ensure... Display More...

One NACADA Strategic Goal is to “expand and communicate the scholarship of academic advising”. For me, this is accomplished by providing avenues for advisors to get together, discuss institutional challenges, and develop their own best practices for the betterment of their students. As the Advising Transfer Students Commission Chair, I want to expand the networking opportunities for commission members through a number of channels. First, I would look for ways to expand our NACADA listserv presence to engage commission members on a regular basis and encourage members to share innovative programs throughout the year. Secondly, I would expand the commission’s social media presence to help advisors from various institutions network and stay current with transfer issues and programs.  Thirdly, I would use the commission to help identify and empower members to present on transfer issues at both the regional and national level. As Advising Transfer Students Commission Chair, I want to ensure that the commission is all-inclusive, where members are willing and able to share their ideas, innovations, and programs. The value of NACADA is not in what people know, but what people are willing to share.  Display Less...

My proudest professional accomplishment was winning the 2013 NACADA Region 2 Excellence in Academic Advising Award. This award was rewarding, not for the actual award, but the little accomplishments that garnered my nomination. For example, one of my nomination letters was written by my first advisee when I took over the role of transfer advisor in the Swanson School of Engineering at Pitt. This student was looking to come back to school and earn a second degree. I met with this student prior to him applying to Pitt, oversaw the transfer of his credits and advised him in his first two semesters. Later this student worked for me as a Transfer Peer Mentor, helping other students navigate the transfer process. This student is now gainfully employed in the engineering profession at a job he proudly accepted prior to his final semester at Pitt. He wrote a wonderful letter of recommendation for me pertaining to how I helped him throughout his entire transfer process. This student represents only... Display More...

My proudest professional accomplishment was winning the 2013 NACADA Region 2 Excellence in Academic Advising Award. This award was rewarding, not for the actual award, but the little accomplishments that garnered my nomination. For example, one of my nomination letters was written by my first advisee when I took over the role of transfer advisor in the Swanson School of Engineering at Pitt. This student was looking to come back to school and earn a second degree. I met with this student prior to him applying to Pitt, oversaw the transfer of his credits and advised him in his first two semesters. Later this student worked for me as a Transfer Peer Mentor, helping other students navigate the transfer process. This student is now gainfully employed in the engineering profession at a job he proudly accepted prior to his final semester at Pitt. He wrote a wonderful letter of recommendation for me pertaining to how I helped him throughout his entire transfer process. This student represents only one of the transfer students I have helped, so the award to me is a symbol of all the successful transfer students I have had the pleasure to help. Display Less...

I am interested in being your Advising Transfer Students Commission Chair because I want to give back to an association and commission that have both given me so much professionally. Every NACADA conference I attend, I always feel like I am able to bring back to my campus ideas I can immediately implement to help reshape my advising model and my institution’s practices. In working with the steering committee for the Advising Transfer Students Commission, I have had the opportunity to lead roundtable discussions regarding best practices for transfer students at the commission meetings at the annual conferences in Nashville and Salt Lake City. I find that, although I am the one charged with leading the discussion, the conversation with my colleagues allows me to take away positive insights and ideas about what other schools do to work with transfers. I have gained valuable insight as to the value of networking within NACADA and would like to continue to expand these opportunities through... Display More...

I am interested in being your Advising Transfer Students Commission Chair because I want to give back to an association and commission that have both given me so much professionally. Every NACADA conference I attend, I always feel like I am able to bring back to my campus ideas I can immediately implement to help reshape my advising model and my institution’s practices. In working with the steering committee for the Advising Transfer Students Commission, I have had the opportunity to lead roundtable discussions regarding best practices for transfer students at the commission meetings at the annual conferences in Nashville and Salt Lake City. I find that, although I am the one charged with leading the discussion, the conversation with my colleagues allows me to take away positive insights and ideas about what other schools do to work with transfers. I have gained valuable insight as to the value of networking within NACADA and would like to continue to expand these opportunities through the year. I envision expanding the networking opportunities for transfer personnel to extend beyond our commission lunch at the annual conference to include a commission happy hour at the conference. Additionally, there is potential in networking through commission events  hosted by steering committee members or commission volunteers at regional conferences. As a steering committee member, I have seen the growth our commission has made over the past 3 years and see the potential for further growth amongst its members. Display Less...