Meet Your Steering Committee: John McDonaugh

NACADA Region 8 Steering Committee

John McDonaugh, Program Planning Committee for R8 Victoria 2020 Conference

 

What institution do you work for and what is your role there? 

I have been employed at the College of the Rockies for the past 15 years, most recently as an Education Advisor and Coordinator of Student Services.

 

Why did you get involved with NACADA? 

I got involved with NACADA due to my passion for advising. I have really enjoyed working with the past and current Region 8 chairs. NACADA provides great networking opportunities and professional development. I want to try and inspire other advisors and grow my advising knowledge.

 

What are some of the projects you worked on during your time on the Conference Planning Committee? 

I am new to NACADA. I am currently on the program planning committee for the Region 8 Victora 2020 conference. As well, I am a member of the 2 year college subcommittee.

 

How has being involved with NACADA helped you grow in your professional career? 

My involvement with NACADA has helped me with networking with other advisors and allowed me to gain a better understanding of various advising models in the region. I have never been involved with planning a large scale conference and my involvement with the Victoria 2020 conference has helped me grow in this area. Being a lifelong learner, I more than ever realize there is a lifetime of learning involved with advising!!

 

Please share a little about yourself and a fun fact. 

I  have a wife and three wonerful children (which keep me very busy taxi driving). During my university days, my first year classes were bigger than my home town and I never spoke to an advisor during my undergrad (I didn’t even know they existed!!)

Meet Your Steering Committee: Veronica Mendez-Liaina

NACADA Region 8 Steering Committee

Veronica Mendez-Liaina (she/her), Inclusion & Engagement Coordinator (2019-2021)

 

What institution do you work for and what is your role there? 

I work for Spokane Falls Community College – Pullman campus.  I am the Counselor for the Pullman campus.  I work with some amazing people on my campus!  

 

Why did you get involved with NACADA? 

In my first role as an advisor about 15ish maybe more, my first supervisor in advising pushed me to get involved with NACADA to help me development my academic advising skills, my professional development, and to help me grow as a person that could be in leadership someday in higher education.  That was in 2006, and I have been active in NACADA since.  It’s really one of my favorite thing. 

 

What are some of the projects you worked on during your time as one of the Inclusion & Engagement Coordinator on the steering committee? 

I have given workshops on implicit biases and personal spaces on community college campus and at advising symposium.  I mentor advisors from other college campus. I make myself available to others when they have questions or need trainings on cultural competency and awareness.  I am working on access more materials for our members that talk about what diversity and inclusion really is on our campus and how we can be a support for our students. 

 

How has being involved with NACADA helped you grow in your professional career? 

NACADA has introduced me to people and concepts that not only have made me a better advisor, but a better person.  NACADA has been the extra “tool in my box” for when I need a new strategy to complete a task for my supervisor, my co-workers, and my students.  NACADA also taught me to not be afraid of leadership positions, being committees, donating time as a mentor.  I am not always the best at what I am doing, but NACADA is a great place to learn and apply knowledge.

 

Please share a little about yourself and a fun fact. 

I fancy myself as 3 things:  1 – An amazing mom to 3 boys (I can run drills for football and still pin my son in wrestling).   2 – #4 batter in any line up for a softball team (you want to pick me up for a softball tournament aka homerun hitter) 3 – A certified Karaoke Champion! (I do weddings and special events…call me!). 

Meet Your Steering Committee: Deven Lisac

NACADA Region 8 Steering Committee

Deven Lisac, Alaska Liaison

 

What institution do you work for and what is your role there? 

I’m with the Bristol Bay Campus in Dillingham Alaska, a satellite school of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. My focus is on distance learners and small colleges.

 

Why did you get involved with NACADA? 

I got involved in NACADA to learn more about the Global Advising community, to learn from other Advisors, universities, administrators, and collaborate on advising best practices. 

 

What are some of the projects you worked on during your time as one of the Alaska Liaisons on the steering committee? 

On the steering committee I’ve been involved with assessing one of the NACADA goals of Provide professional development opportunities that are responsive to the needs of advisors and advising administrators.

 

How has being involved with NACADA helped you grow in your professional career? 

NACADA has helped me make connections with other universities and personal. I’ve met others in the same field/department and we’ve been able to assist each other when new problems arise. We are able to collaborate on best practices.

 

Please share a little about yourself and a fun fact. 

I’m from Dillingham Alaska. I love to play and explore the great outdoors. I love to Skate Ski and hike.  

Meet Your Steering Committee: John McDonaugh

NACADA Region 8 Steering Committee

John McDonaugh, BC Liasion

 

What institution do you work for and what is your role there? 

College of the Rockies (in the southeast corner of BC)/education advisor and coordinator of student services.

 

Why did you get involved with NACADA? 

I had heard of NACADA from one of my colleagues and wanted to expand my advising knowledge.  I had always wanted to participate in NACADA events, so I jumped at the opportunity of attending the 2019 Calgary R8 conference!

 

What are some of the projects you worked on during your time as one of the BC liaisons on the steering committee? 

I currently sit as one of the BC liaisons and am actively involved with the two year college subcommittee.  Working with a few other BC college advisors, I have been working to coordinate a BC colleges working group to share best practices/information.  I was also a program co-chair/conference planning committee member for the R8 2020 Victoria conference (the best conference that never happened)! 

 

How has being involved with NACADA helped you grow in your professional career? 

NACADA has opened doors to endless networking opportunities.  Being involved with NACADA has helped me foster many great friendships while providing me with great opportunities for personal and professional growth.  NACADA has  been very open and supportive of having new members jump right in on committees or to volunteer.

 

Please share a little about yourself and a fun fact. 

As I continue my journey of lifelong learning, I have switched careers many times.  While at the college, I have worked as an institutional research analyst, instructor in our upgrading and office administration programs, and accessibility services coordinator.  I feel that I have really found my passion in advising students and helping them navigate their lifelong learning and career pathways. 

A few fun facts about me

• I am allergic to beer and bell peppers!!
• I am a pretty decent cribbage player
• I have 3 amazing children (which will be coming up to post-secondary age in a few years!)
• I love hiking and biking
• I like to start my day with a very loud, pump me up song!

2020 Regional Conference Cancelled

In light of the recent travel restrictions and the World Health Organization’s announcing COVID19 as a pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to cancel NACADA regional 8 conference. We are so sad to be giving this news but the health and safety of our members is of the utmost importance.

For more information on next steps please check the email you registered with.

See you next year!

Meet Your Steering Committee: Cathlene McGraw

NACADA Region 8 Steering Committee

Cathlene McGraw, Committee Member

 

What institution do you work for and what is your role there? 

At Boise State University, I am an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Science and I serve as adjunct faculty for Communication and Media Arts teaching Conflict Resolution and Nonverbal Communication.

 

Why did you get involved with NACADA? 

In some ways I feel like a first generation higher education professional because I feel a little lost finding my way in both campus and professional work and cultural expectations. I thought NACADA could help fill in some gaps for me and help me access professional opportunities better.

 

What are some of the projects you worked on during your time on Scholarship Committee Member on the steering committee? 

I have just served on a handful of committees.

 

How has being involved with NACADA helped you grow in your professional career? 

NACADA has been very helpful to increase my resilience in this profession – I feel like I understand my professional options in a more broad context.

 

Please share a little about yourself and a fun fact. 

I started working in higher education as a part of LGBTQQIA+ services. When my little guys came along I turned to advising to find a better balance between family and work. Fun fact: My children are the most smart and attractive people on the planet.

2020 Conference Keynote Speakers

Keynote Speakers  

 

Mehvash Ali is the Director of Academic Support Center (ASC) and First Year Experience (FYE) at the American University of Sharjah (AUS). Ali, a licensed clinical psychologist, is an instructor in introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, and biopsychology at AUS. She is currently serving as chair of the NACADA Global Initiatives Committee and co-leading the International Visiting Advisor Program with Susan Corner from the University of Victoria. She is a member of the Inclusion and Engagement Committee, the Region Review Work Group, and the Academic Advising Consultant and Speaker Service in NACADA. She held the International Perspectives seat on the NACADA Professional Development Committee (2015-2017) and helped develop the NACADA Advising Core Competencies in that role. Ali has also served on the Board of Directors for South Asian Public Health Association in the USA.

We are fortunate to have the opportunity to meet and learn from Ali at the conference. She will present the keynote address on Friday, as well as a Preconference Workshop: Psychological Intervention Skills in Academic Advising. (Register for the Preconference Workshop when you register.) Learn more about NACADA’s Visiting Advisor Program during Ali’s concurrent session.

 

Devi Mucina, an Ubuntu African, is an associate professor and the director of the Indigenous Governance Program at the University of Victoria. Guided by Indigenous Ubuntu philosophies, his academic interests and current research focus on Indigenous men and fathering beyond imposed colonial masculinities; Indigenous men in elite sports; and contemplating how Indigenous spiritual mask dancing shapes Indigenous masculinities. At the center of his research are questions about how Indigenous communities are renewing and decolonizing Indigenous masculinities by grounding holistic relational engagements with intimate partners, families, communities, lands and bodies of waters. His other research explores the impact of parental and familial members’ incarceration on children and questions the risk factors this creates for their future incarceration from an Indigenous intersectional theoretical framework.

We are excited to introduce you to Mucina on Saturday as he will provide the keynote address at lunch.

Looking for more conference information? Head here.

Opportunities in Victoria, BC

Victoria is Fabulous! Check out these fun facts, figures, and opportunities for while you’re here for the 2020 Regional Conference.

A FEW FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT VICTORIA:

• With a perfect growing climate, Victoria is known internationally as the City of Gardens.
• The city has an annual flower count dating back to the 1970s. The total blooms counted in 2018 was over 3.4 billion.
• Victoria’s Chinatown is the oldest in Canada and Fan Tan Alley is the narrowest street in Canada.
• Friendly is an understatement: Victoria has been named both the Most Romantic City in Canada and one of the top 15 Friendliest Cities in the World.
• Other accolades include: Canada’s Best City to Live in for Women, and both the Seventh Best City and Second Best Small City in the world (by international travel and tourism magazine, Condé Nast).
• Bright lights, beautiful city: As the provincial capital, the Parliament buildings have approximately 3,300 energy efficient lights and roughly 1,600 lampposts across the city hold hanging flower baskets every Summer.

Read more here: https://www.tourismvictoria.com/plan/local-info/about-victoria 

 

FOOD, DRINKS AND FUN 

Coffee Drinker’s Guide to Victoria: https://sprudge.com/the-sprudge-coffee-guide-to-victoria-british-columbia-125840.html

10 Tasty Bakery Cafes in Victoria: https://www.yammagazine.com/10-bakery-cafes-victoria-downtown-neighbourhoods/

Victoria Ale Trail: https://bcaletrail.ca/ale-trails/victoria/

Best Restaurants according to Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=best+restaurants&find_loc=Victoria%2C+BC

10 BEST Restaurants in Victoria according to Tripadvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g154945-Victoria_Victoria_Capital_Regional_District_Vancouver_Island_British_Columbia.html

Top 5 Family Activities: https://www.tourismvictoria.com/media-influencers/fresh-story-ideas/top-five-family-activities

Top 5 Outdoor Activities: https://www.tourismvictoria.com/media-influencers/fresh-story-ideas/top-five-outdoor-activities

 

Early Bird Registration Ends February 13th – If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so here.

Meet Your Steering Committee: Melana Mar

NACADA Region 8 Steering Committee

Melana Mar, 2020 Conference Co-Chair

 

What institution do you work for and what is your role there? 

University of Victoria, Manager, Students, Academic Advising Centre for the Faculties of Humanities, Science and Social Sciences

 

Why did you get involved with NACADA? 

In my first few years as an advisor I had the opportunity to attend my first regional conference in Vancouver, BC (2014) and my first annual conference in Las Vegas (2015). By attending these conferences, I could see that NACADA is not just a website to go to look up articles for best practices in academic advising, it is also a community of people who are thinkers and innovators.

 

What are some of the projects you worked on during your time as Region 8 Conference Co-chair on the steering committee? 

I was approached last March to consider taking on the role of conference co-chair. The opportunity to shape a conference that is representative of our region sounded exciting. I also could not pass up an opportunity to work in collaboration with my colleague Janine Mayers (conference co-chair and British Columbia Liaison). We are working hard to deliver an amazing and inclusive event this March in Victoria, BC!

 

How has being involved with NACADA helped you grow in your professional career? 

It has been interesting to see the steering committee in action! I feel fortunate to be part of it.

 

Please share a little about yourself and a fun fact. 

My parents owned a grocery story when I was growing up and we all had to work. I did not mind this particular “child labour” situation. I quickly learned that my cherub-cheeks and winning smile could earn me a lot of samples. As a result of time served, I consider myself a connoisseur in Canadian snack foods and confections. I also love dogs.

HELP WANTED: VOLUNTEER WITH US

Region 8, we are needing the help of some volunteers for various position at this year’s regional conference in Victoria! Each position ranges from 1-2 hours of your time, some volunteer roles will even require you doing what you already plan on doing, attending. We would love and appreciate your time and help! 

Below are a list of volunteer positions that we are hoping you could help us out with. Each position has a description has a few of the duties that will be required. Please note, to be a volunteer you will need to have registered as a delegate for the conference. (PS. EARLY BIRD ENDS ON FEBRUARY 13). 

Registration table: Assist our delegates with the check-in and registration. Distribute merch bags. Be the first point of contact for general conference questions and concerns. 

Information Ambassador: Greet and answer questions of our delegates. Assist in directions, knowledge about events in Victoria, restaurants and sightseeing. Assist in directing and leading delegates to sessions, dinner groups and tours. Sign our delegates up for dinner groups.

Session Host: Since you will already be attending sessions, here’s your chance to introduce one of our presenters. You will be given a quick script to introduce and thank your presenter for the session you already plan on going to. In addition, you will also need to share some conference announcements and may be required to answer some quick questions regarding the conference regarding locations and general information. Having little tech experience is a plus but is not required for this role. 1-2+ sessions required.

Service Project Volunteers: As a Service Project Volunteer, you will be in charge of mingling with our delegates and answering any questions about our service project: NEED2. Collect donations and direct delegates to the service project tables for more information. For more information on the NEED2 service project, please visit: https://need2.ca/

Dinner Group Host: Are you ready to mingle with all some delegates from Region 8 and lead a group of advisors to a restaurant? You will be in charge of making sure the group arrives on time for the reservation at the restaurant of your choice. Groups may vary between 10-20 people. Reservations will be made prior to the start of the conference and you will be informed of the restaurant.

On-call Tech Support: General tech support with projectors and sound. Quickly support set up for presentations when there is a call for support. Even better, assist in the tech support for the sessions you already are planning to attend.

To sign up to volunteer, please visit this link here: https://signup.com/Group/656987623616238023/

Once you have signed up, a few weeks leading up to the conference you will receive your next steps pertaining to your role. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Volunteer Chair, Jordan – Jordan_ngo@sfu.ca. 

REGION 8, we are super excited to see you on March 12-14 in Victoria!