Commission Chairs are elected by their Commission members and provide leadership for Commission activities in support of the profession by representing its members and their needs and concerns through the Division Representatives and communicating with the members. Commission Chairs coordinate commission activities and lead Commission meetings during the Annual Conference. Commission Chairs report to the Division Representatives for the Commission and Interest Group Division (CIGD).
LGBTQA Advising and Advocacy Chair - (elected, term October 2014-October 2016). Prior to taking office, candidates must have completed the previous year as a member in the Commission and be a current member in that group.
Ms. Wendy K Schindler
Gateway Community and Technical College Edgewood KY
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? As commission chair, I will be an advocate for research and theory-driven presentations. The LGBTQA Advising and Advocacy Commission is lucky to have an extraordinary membership and there is no better time to take advantage of this to work together in research and support. I firmly believe we should seize this opportunity to broaden the base of scholarly literature in a multitude of LGBTQA topics so that we may educate NACADA members and the Higher Education community at large.
In the past few years, NACADA members have facilitated many noteworthy sessions focused on the LGBTQ community, encouraging all advisors to act as allies for their students. It's time to refine these efforts and focus on theory-driven presentations to add scholarly backbone to our crucial dialogue. As NACADA advocates, "advising is teaching" and I believe the LGBTQA Advising and Advocacy Commission is ready to teach the global community.
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 work at a community college with a PCP (parking lot – campus – parking lot) culture. We are making strides in student engagement, but still have much work to do.
In that spirit of improvement, I have worked two years to establish an LGBTQA student organization. Not only is it challenging to run a thriving student organization at my campus in general, but starting this group came with the added challenges uniquely inherent to the LGBTQA community. Particularly, students (and to their own degree, faculty and staff) do not always know when it is safe to be out. Although we have many supportive faculty and staff, there has been no campus-wide initiative, such as a safe zone training, to make that support overt. I saw this as an opportunity for change.
I scheduled the first meeting a year ago. No students attended. This was frustrating, but I capitalized on it as a learning experience to move forward. I decided to start smaller. Instead of a holding a meeting where students may...
I work at a community college with a PCP (parking lot – campus – parking lot) culture. We are making strides in student engagement, but still have much work to do.
In that spirit of improvement, I have worked two years to establish an LGBTQA student organization. Not only is it challenging to run a thriving student organization at my campus in general, but starting this group came with the added challenges uniquely inherent to the LGBTQA community. Particularly, students (and to their own degree, faculty and staff) do not always know when it is safe to be out. Although we have many supportive faculty and staff, there has been no campus-wide initiative, such as a safe zone training, to make that support overt. I saw this as an opportunity for change.
I scheduled the first meeting a year ago. No students attended. This was frustrating, but I capitalized on it as a learning experience to move forward. I decided to start smaller. Instead of a holding a meeting where students may not know what to expect, I simply posted flyers around campus encouraging interested students to contact me. Slowly but surely I built a growing list of students. Finally, I knew it was time to get them together.
I can happily report that our second “first” meeting was an incredible success. This group of students, most of them meeting one another for the first time, engaged and brainstormed groundbreaking ideas to make our college a more welcoming place for everyone. For example, the group is now developing an HIV/AIDS awareness event with other students from across the state while partnering with other local campus entities to make more student activities overtly inclusive. As we move forward, their work is truly a point of pride for me, and I hope for the college at large.
Looking back, this experience underscores the importance of determination and persistence. Change, even for the better, is never easy. Had I stopped trying after the first few months or even after the first failed meeting, this group may never have formed and I would not be advising an organization that includes some of the most amazing students I have ever met. I enjoy being a collaborative leader for them. I give them my support, expertise, and connections when needed, but allow them to take ownership and make this group truly student driven.
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? This position offers the opportunity to serve in a way that combines two of my passions: the LGBTQ community/allies and NACADA. I am committed to supporting and advocating for LGBTQ students, staff and faculty, as well as fostering a community of allies. This commission is an incredible vehicle for education and it has been my privilege to get to know other members over the years. I would be honored to serve the LGBTQA Advising and Advocacy Commission as we make growing strides in research, best practices, and awareness.
My first experiences with NACADA could not have come at a better time. I was experiencing the kind of frustration and burn out that every advisor faces at some point in their career. NACADA renewed my professional vigor and determination. I have found nothing but support from commission and region chairs all the way up to the Executive Director, Charlie Nutt. I welcome the opportunity to give back to an organization that has done so much for me and so many others.
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.
I’ve been a member of NACADA since 2011 and have attended each National and Region 3 conference during that time. Although I have not held an office previously, I have given multiple presentations:
“Not everyone starts in the pole position: Breaking down barriers caused by privilege” Concurrent Session, NACADA Region 3 Conference, 2012.
“Every mouse deserves the cheese: Helping 21st century students navigate a maze of information” Poster Presentation, NACADA Region 3 Conference, 2013.
“Elevating fluidity: Advising bisexual or fluid students” Concurrent Session presented with Amy Brock of Young Harris College, Luke Garton of University of Tennessee – Knoxville, and Mandy Metzger of Carroll University, NACADA National Conference, 2013.
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