Alyssa Coats, Director of Student Success and Retention at Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC), has been appointed as the Region 7 Chairperson for NACADA, the Global Community for Academic Advising. NACADA, previously known as The National Academic Advising Association, promotes and supports quality academic advising in institutions of higher education to enhance student educational development.
Coats has been an active member of NACADA since March 2016, contributing significantly to the organization's initiatives. Her roles have included serving as a proposal reader for region conferences, mentoring new advisors, and holding leadership positions such as Louisiana Liaison on the Region 7 Steering Committee. Notably, she recently co-chaired the 2024 Region 4/7 Conference, demonstrating her commitment to advancing academic advising practices.
In her new role as Region 7 Chairperson, Coats will lead the Region Steering Committee, ensuring adherence to NACADA policies and addressing the needs of members across the region. She will play a crucial role in maintaining the financial health of the region, promoting regional meetings, conferences, and other NACADA initiatives. Additionally, Alyssa will act as a liaison between Region 7 and the Council, fostering communication and collaboration among stakeholders. Region 7 (South Central Region) includes Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.
"This appointment is a significant recognition of my dedication to academic advising and commitment to student success," said Coats. "It provides me with an opportunity to contribute to a broader community of professionals who share the same passion for enhancing student experiences and outcomes."
She emphasized the synergy between her role at BPCC and her involvement with NACADA, stating, "The insights and knowledge I gain from NACADA will directly inform and enhance my work at BPCC. By implementing best practices and innovative strategies from NACADA, we can improve our academic advising services, ultimately enhancing student success and retention."
Dr. Teresa A. Jones, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Services, expressed full support for Coats’ involvement with NACADA, stating, "I am incredibly proud of Alyssa's appointment as Region 7 Chair of NACADA. I am confident that her ongoing work with NACADA will strengthen our academic advising services and greatly boost our commitment to fostering student success at BPCC. We are fortunate to have her as a key member of our team.”
For more information on NACADA, visit https://nacada.ksu.edu/.