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).
Advising Administration 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.
Dr. Kevin P. Thomas
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville IL
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? If elected to this position I will work within the commission to communicate the scholarship of academic advising. When I entered NACADA I often heard advising is teaching. Recently, however, that message has slowed or has been toned down. I hope to communicate further how important that message is to the scholarship of our organization. Commissions are only as successful as it's leadership and I hope to provide more communication to its membership throughout the year. Not every NACADA member is able to attend the annual conference or even regional and state events so I must work to create professional development opportunities for all commission members. I also hope to arm members with a knowledge of the impact that academic advising has on student success to help aid advising administrators in their work on their own campuses with university decision makers.
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?
While I am fairly new to my position at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, I believe I have been an advocate for advising on campus. SIUE has the policy, as of now, that in order to attend a conference a person must either be presenting or part of the organization's leadership. In my career in NACADA I have always attempted to do both but I am more proud of this past year having four other professionals from SIUE at the annual conference. A year previous, there were on two people from my institution. While I cannot take full credit for this push, I believe my mentorship of a few led to their participation in Utah.
During the past year and half I have been an advocate for advising change and have helped move forward caseload advising, more professional advisors being hired, and strategic changes to structural advising methods for undeclared students. My position is the Director of Retention and Student Success at SIUE. I believe that these accomplishments speak to the primary...
While I am fairly new to my position at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, I believe I have been an advocate for advising on campus. SIUE has the policy, as of now, that in order to attend a conference a person must either be presenting or part of the organization's leadership. In my career in NACADA I have always attempted to do both but I am more proud of this past year having four other professionals from SIUE at the annual conference. A year previous, there were on two people from my institution. While I cannot take full credit for this push, I believe my mentorship of a few led to their participation in Utah.
During the past year and half I have been an advocate for advising change and have helped move forward caseload advising, more professional advisors being hired, and strategic changes to structural advising methods for undeclared students. My position is the Director of Retention and Student Success at SIUE. I believe that these accomplishments speak to the primary role and critical need for advising to play in persistence and student success.
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? NACADA is filled with opportunities to achieve and succeed. I am motivated to lead the Advising Administration Commission and provide support, assistance, and resources to those in positions of advising administration. A successful chair can provide members of the commission with year round development and knowledge growth. I am motivated to run for this position to give back to NACADA and to provide my time and effort to the betterment of those in within advising administration.
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.
A. I have been active in NACADA since the summer of 2007
B. Served on the 2012 Annual Conference Planning Committee as co-chair of the Evaluations Committee
C. Served as Kentucky Liaison to Region 3 NACADA from 2008-2010. Served as Co-Chair of the NACADA Region 3 Conference in Lexington, KY in May of 2010
D. Part of the co-founding team of the Kentucky Academic Advising Association (KACADA), presented at past annual and regional conferences from 2007 - 2013
NACADA
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Phone: (785) 532-5717
e-mail:
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