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 High Achieving Students 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. Melissa L Johnson
University of Florida Gainesville FL
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 a younger commission, it is important for us to provide professional development opportunities that are responsive to the needs of advisors of high-achieving students, as well as to develop and sustain effective leadership within the commission. As a volunteer within the commission, I know we have many members who are eager to get involved - I've heard them ask for the opportunities while tabling at the CIGD fair at the annual conference. Now is a great time to think strategically about the needs of our commission members and how we can involve our members to create opportunities for themselves as learners and leaders. As such, I would create a steering committee for the commission to oversee new projects with member input.
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 am very proud of the development of a new peer mentoring program for honors students who are first in their families to attend college at my institution. This program emerged from a research study I conducted with a colleague last year - participants were asked to make recommendations for ways we could help them be successful in college, and a mentoring program was a suggestion that garnered a lot of feedback. Rather than take on the development of this program myself, I approached the most vocal participants and further outlined possibilities. After obtaining clearance from our director, I went back to our small student group and gave them the go-ahead to create a mentoring program. I provided suggestions during the development of the program, recruited participants from the incoming class of first-year students, and currently serve as advisor to the student coordinators, mentors, and mentees.
This accomplishment demonstrates that I like running with ideas - students were enthusiastic...
I am very proud of the development of a new peer mentoring program for honors students who are first in their families to attend college at my institution. This program emerged from a research study I conducted with a colleague last year - participants were asked to make recommendations for ways we could help them be successful in college, and a mentoring program was a suggestion that garnered a lot of feedback. Rather than take on the development of this program myself, I approached the most vocal participants and further outlined possibilities. After obtaining clearance from our director, I went back to our small student group and gave them the go-ahead to create a mentoring program. I provided suggestions during the development of the program, recruited participants from the incoming class of first-year students, and currently serve as advisor to the student coordinators, mentors, and mentees.
This accomplishment demonstrates that I like running with ideas - students were enthusiastic about trying a mentoring program, and so we decided to give it a try. Almost anything is worth trying! I also believe that this was a great learning experience for - and appropriately placed in the hands of - our student leaders. I do not need to be in charge of everything. The students feel incredibly empowered to develop this program, and they aren't afraid to ask for advice or assistance when needed.
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? I would look forward to the opportunity to help shape the future of the commission. I know we have great members who want to get involved. We just need to find ways to get them involved beyond the annual conference. I bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the table, and I hope that we can create some momentum for our high-achieving advisors.
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. Member of NACADA for 4 years.
B. National Involvement:
- Chapter Author: Using technology with peer advisors. In Koring, H. and Zahorik, D. (Eds.) Peer advising and mentoring: A guide for advising practitioners (2013)
- Editorial Board Apprentice, NACADA Journal (2013-2014)
- Member, Research Committee (2013-2015)
- Technology in Advising Commission Steering Committee (2013-present)
- Advising High-Achieving Students CIGD Fair Volunteer, Annual Conference (2013)
- Book reviewer, NACADA Journal (2013 and 2012)
- Technology in Advising Commission Help Desk Volunteer, Annual Conference (2012)
- Proposal reviewer, Annual Conference (2012-present)
- NACADA Scholarship recipient (2012)
- NACADA Research Grant recipient (2012)
- Annual conference presenter (2011-present). 3 presentations sponsored by Advising High-Achieving Students Commission (2011 and 2012)
C. Regional Involvement:
- Regional Conference Travel Grant recipient (2012)
- Region 4 Outstanding New Advisor Certificate...
A. Member of NACADA for 4 years.
B. National Involvement:
- Chapter Author: Using technology with peer advisors. In Koring, H. and Zahorik, D. (Eds.) Peer advising and mentoring: A guide for advising practitioners (2013)
- Editorial Board Apprentice, NACADA Journal (2013-2014)
- Member, Research Committee (2013-2015)
- Technology in Advising Commission Steering Committee (2013-present)
- Advising High-Achieving Students CIGD Fair Volunteer, Annual Conference (2013)
- Book reviewer, NACADA Journal (2013 and 2012)
- Technology in Advising Commission Help Desk Volunteer, Annual Conference (2012)
- Proposal reviewer, Annual Conference (2012-present)
- NACADA Scholarship recipient (2012)
- NACADA Research Grant recipient (2012)
- Annual conference presenter (2011-present). 3 presentations sponsored by Advising High-Achieving Students Commission (2011 and 2012)
C. Regional Involvement:
- Regional Conference Travel Grant recipient (2012)
- Region 4 Outstanding New Advisor Certificate of Merit (2007)
- Presenter, regional conference (2007)
D. Other Involvement:
- Presenter, State of Florida Advising Workshop (2013)
- Presenter, University of Florida Advising Workshop (2013, 2010, 2009)
- Member, University of Florida Undergraduate Advising Council (2012-present)
- UF Advising Workshop planning committee (2012-present)
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