The NACADA Board of Directors is the official governing body of the Association, and provides direction for the Association by developing and maintaining the Association's strategic plan.
Board of Directors - 3 positions available, three-year term each (October 2024-October 2027). Nominees must have served a full term as a Chair of a Division level sub-unit (Region, Committee, or Advising Community).
Brandan Lowden
Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs CO
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? (1500 characters or less)
The importance of academic advising only continues to grow on every campus globally. NACADA has established academic advising as an essential profession for college student success and must be on the forefront of every discussion regarding our position as professional advisors on every campus going forward. On the board of directors, I will advocate for the most efficient use of our financial and human resources to optimize the relevance of our professional development, to expand our global partnerships, and find innovative ways to engage our members that maximizes the value of the NACADA membership. We need to critically assess all aspects of the professional development opportunities to ensure we are being stewards of resources, that those opportunities are inclusive and equitable for all. I believe the work we all do changes the lives of the students we serve for the better every day. I will encourage advisors to share their stories, approaches, and best practices for the constant improvement...
The importance of academic advising only continues to grow on every campus globally. NACADA has established academic advising as an essential profession for college student success and must be on the forefront of every discussion regarding our position as professional advisors on every campus going forward. On the board of directors, I will advocate for the most efficient use of our financial and human resources to optimize the relevance of our professional development, to expand our global partnerships, and find innovative ways to engage our members that maximizes the value of the NACADA membership. We need to critically assess all aspects of the professional development opportunities to ensure we are being stewards of resources, that those opportunities are inclusive and equitable for all. I believe the work we all do changes the lives of the students we serve for the better every day. I will encourage advisors to share their stories, approaches, and best practices for the constant improvement and growth of the professional scholarship of advising. We are strongest when we share with one another.
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? (1500 characters or less)
My most proud accomplishment on my campus of 13,000 students is that I was able to implement an appointment model of advising in three weeks’ time where we previously had an exclusively drop-in model of advising. I advocated for this change from my advising coordinator role to best serve students and our team of 30 professional advisors. This speaks to my leadership abilities to listen to perspectives of different stakeholders - in this case students, staff, and administrators. The administrators had many concerns to address for them to green-light this project.
My most proud accomplishment in NACADA was to be part of the Virtual Awards Ceremony during my tenure as Global Awards Chair. The feedback from these events have been encouraging to me. I was humbled to have been able to provide a recognition ceremony for our outstanding members during a difficult time for all. I was also more than happy to give credit to the Executive Office staff that worked tirelessly behind the scenes both...
My most proud accomplishment on my campus of 13,000 students is that I was able to implement an appointment model of advising in three weeks’ time where we previously had an exclusively drop-in model of advising. I advocated for this change from my advising coordinator role to best serve students and our team of 30 professional advisors. This speaks to my leadership abilities to listen to perspectives of different stakeholders - in this case students, staff, and administrators. The administrators had many concerns to address for them to green-light this project.
My most proud accomplishment in NACADA was to be part of the Virtual Awards Ceremony during my tenure as Global Awards Chair. The feedback from these events have been encouraging to me. I was humbled to have been able to provide a recognition ceremony for our outstanding members during a difficult time for all. I was also more than happy to give credit to the Executive Office staff that worked tirelessly behind the scenes both years to put the ceremony together. As the Global Awards Chair, I was in almost daily communication with the EO to do my part in the production of the ceremony. In 2020, the charge was given to the Committee just one month prior to the live virtual ceremony. It was a positive attitude from everyone involved that I believe made it possible.
That’s what I bring to the Association in this position - someone who listens to all perspectives and has a positive, can-do attitude!
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? (1500 characters or less)
Why do I want to serve in this position? I love advising, I love higher education, and I love students most of all. I love watching the trajectory of students lives change positively through higher education. This Association, NACADA, provides opportunities for all of us to always be growing and developing professionally to be the best versions of our student-loving selves! I want to continue to serve my profession through this Board of Directors seat. I am a highly analytical thinker, I seek efficiency, and strive to balance those traits with compassion and empathy for others. I know the work of the Board is difficult and has influence on the direction of our profession and professional development opportunities. This is not a responsibility I take lightly.
I am also tremendously excited about our new Executive Director and continuing to work on the strategic goals established for 2021-2026, and want to be part of the progress we make in the upcoming years with these goals! This incoming...
Why do I want to serve in this position? I love advising, I love higher education, and I love students most of all. I love watching the trajectory of students lives change positively through higher education. This Association, NACADA, provides opportunities for all of us to always be growing and developing professionally to be the best versions of our student-loving selves! I want to continue to serve my profession through this Board of Directors seat. I am a highly analytical thinker, I seek efficiency, and strive to balance those traits with compassion and empathy for others. I know the work of the Board is difficult and has influence on the direction of our profession and professional development opportunities. This is not a responsibility I take lightly.
I am also tremendously excited about our new Executive Director and continuing to work on the strategic goals established for 2021-2026, and want to be part of the progress we make in the upcoming years with these goals! This incoming Board will have strong influence in the next set of strategic goals for this amazing Association and I am looking forward to being part of the process that takes us into the next decade.
Platform Statement: Part IV
4. Please describe how you will work to promote the enhancement of inclusivity throughout (or within) the Association. (1500 characters or less)
I believe we must bring all perspectives to the floor in order to make sound decisions that are inclusive of all our members and all advisors everywhere. I believe in the importance of diverse representation throughout the organization. However, whenever formal representation cannot be achieved for whatever reason, we must always consider the perspective of those who are not represented. We have to do a better job collectively with regards to recognizing our personal biases and echo chambers. We have to commit as individuals to raising our awareness of others around us. We cannot make progress by continuing to go about our lives with an individualistic mindset; we have to consider the perspectives of people who have been marginalized or silenced by the societal majority and bring their voices to the discussion. As leaders, we need to adjust our mindset to think about what voices are not being heard and be creative in thinking about how to bring those voices forward.
So, then, how will...
I believe we must bring all perspectives to the floor in order to make sound decisions that are inclusive of all our members and all advisors everywhere. I believe in the importance of diverse representation throughout the organization. However, whenever formal representation cannot be achieved for whatever reason, we must always consider the perspective of those who are not represented. We have to do a better job collectively with regards to recognizing our personal biases and echo chambers. We have to commit as individuals to raising our awareness of others around us. We cannot make progress by continuing to go about our lives with an individualistic mindset; we have to consider the perspectives of people who have been marginalized or silenced by the societal majority and bring their voices to the discussion. As leaders, we need to adjust our mindset to think about what voices are not being heard and be creative in thinking about how to bring those voices forward.
So, then, how will I promote the enhancement of inclusivity throughout the Association? My best response I have for you is that I will commit to consider who is not in the conversation and doing my best to seeking out those voices to bring them into the conversation.
Platform Statement: Part V
5. Outline your past involvement in NACADA:
a. Years in NACADA
b. National Offices Held and Accomplishments Achieved
