Fairmont State professional advisors to present at NACADA Conference

Several members of Fairmont State’s professional advisors have had proposals accepted to present at the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA): The Global Community for Academic Advising Region 3 Conference in Lexington, KY in April.  Region 3 encompasses Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia. 

Jennifer Jones, Director of Advising Center, and Dedra Cobb, Director of Academic Advising and the Student Success Center for the College of Liberal Arts, are giving a pre-conference workshop entitled “Engaging Faculty in Advising Training.”  This workshop will discuss techniques campuses can use training faculty in academic advising.

Pamela Stephens, Director of the Charles Pointe Center and Coordinator of the Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree Program, will be the lead presenter with Julia Yang Bedell of Northern Kentucky University. Their presentation, “The NACADA Emerging Leaders Program: Engaging and Inspiring Diverse NACADA Leaders”, will discuss how NACADA members can get involved in the organization’s mentorship initiative and works to contribute to the association’s mission of being a global community. Stephens currently serves as a Mentor in the Emerging Leaders Program. 

Amanda Tuscan, Academic Success Coordinator for the School of Business & Aviation, presentation entitled “Recognizing the Strategic Nature of Advising”, looks at the advising profession. This session will discuss how the academic advising role is similar in nature to strategic planning, for both students and the institution they work for, and recognizing this, advisors can position themselves as decision makers on campus. 

“Our advisors play a powerful and central role in student success by providing the opportunity for an ongoing, durable relationship with someone who cares about the student’s academic goals and success, ” Dr. Richard Harvey, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, said. “The more we rely on technology in this world, the more we need truly interpersonal communication conveying the feeling of belonging, of being recognized and treated as a unique individual. When students reflect on their university years, they remember people—friends, teachers, and significant others, such as academic advisors—who have made a difference in their lives.”

Cobb and Sherry Mitchell, Academic Advisor & Outreach Coordinator for the College of Science & Technology, poster presentation, “Country Roads, Take me to College”, will discuss the unique challenges rural college students face.  This poster will discuss will share ideas for purposeful engagement with these students to assist them as they navigate college life. 

Fairmont State’s professional advisors are actively involved within the NACADA organization.  Cobb serves as the West Virginia State Representative. Stephens is a Manuscript Reviewer for the NACADA Journal. Tuscan is currently serving as the Region 3 Communications Chair.  

NACADA is the Global Community for Academic Advising.  Their mission is to promote student success through advancing the field of academic advising globally. NACADA provides their members opportunities for professional development, networking and leadership.  Anyone interested in learning more about the organization and the opportunities it provides for faculty and staff can visit nacada.ksu.edu or speak with West Virginia State Representative Dedra Cobb (Dedra.Cobb@fairmontstate.edu).e

NACADAprofessional advisorsDr. Richard HarveyPamela StephensJennifer JonesDedra CobbAmanda Tuscan