ACPA Governance Elections Position Descriptions

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ACPA Governance Election Position Descriptions

• Vice President
• Director, External Relations
• Director, Professional Development*
• Director, Equity & Inclusion
• Member at Large - Entry-Level
• Member at Large - Senior-Level
• Assembly Coordinator, Coalitions
• Assembly Coordinator, State Chapters
• Assembly Coordinator, Communities of Practice
• Assembly Coordinator, International Divisions

* Appointed Position

Vice President

The Vice President is a voting member of the Governing Board, elected by the membership of ACPA.

Qualifications/Criteria: The Vice President shall assume the term of Presidency after completing term as Vice President. Those who wish to hold the position of President must have held membership in ACPA for no less than 5 years and must have had prior leadership experience within the Association. Candidates must show leadership and management experience and must demonstrate effectiveness in the components of the President's job description.

Term of Office: The term of the President is three years: the first as Vice President, the second as President, and the third as Past President.

Responsibilities of Office:

• Act as President at all Association or Governing Board meetings in the absence of the President.
• Serve the current President's term if he or she is unable to do so.
• Serve as Chairperson of the Assembly.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the State Divisions, International Divisions, Commissions and Coalitions; serve as a conduit for governance-related concerns to and from the Governing Board; assist Coordinators in the resolution of governance concerns.
• Chair the committee to select a Convention Chair.
• Appoint a Convention Committee and, with the Convention Committee, propose a convention theme no less than 18 months prior to the convention. Serve on the Convention Planning Committee.
• Take a major role in representing ACPA in annual national convention design and delivery.
• Chair the By-Laws Committee; Review the bylaws, as necessary, and recommend bylaw changes to be brought before the membership.
• Serve as a member of the Governing Board, Audit and Finance Committee, Nomination and Elections Committee, and Personnel Committee.
• Work with the "elect" leader to provide pertinent knowledge, information and materials, via conversations, meeting notes and/or records, to ensure successful transition and continuity.
• Complete the mid-year and end-of-year reports following the guidelines provided by the President and/or International Office.
• Carry out other duties and assignments deemed appropriate by the President.

Director of External Relations

The Director of External Relations is a voting member of the Governing Board, elected by the membership of ACPA.

The Director of External Relations is a voting member of the Governing Board, elected by the membership of ACPA.  The Director of External Relations remains apprised of public policy, legislation, or social justice issues that affect the membership and higher education and student affairs broadly. The Director of External Relations provides front-end data and information regarding upcoming or current policy matters to ensure that the Governing Board is operating in preventative and proactive ways.

Qualifications/Criteria: Those who wish to hold the position of Director must have held membership in ACPA for no less than three years. Candidates must demonstrate effectiveness in the components of the job description for the position of Director of External Relations.

Term of Office: The term of a Director, is three years: one year as elect and two years in the position.

Responsibilities of Position:

• Scan the larger environment to understand how governmental and legislative issues impact the work of the profession, of the Association, and the needs and experiences of college student educators.

• Coordinate all advocacy efforts of the association, including:

  • Coordination of the External Relations Advisory Board (see description)

  • Coordination and oversight of entity group efforts to ensure all actions meet ACPA ethical and legal standards and align with the mission, vision, and goals of the Association.

  • Report to the Governing Board monthly about ongoing actions

  • Maintain advocacy plans for future Association meeting locations

  • Maintain an advocacy handbook for member engagement in advocacy efforts within the Association and beyond

• Serve on the Public Policy Consortium for Student Affairs Committee (with NASPA, ASJA, ACUI, ACUHO-I).

• Attend all meetings of the Governing Board.

• Complete the mid-year and end-of-year reports following the guidelines provided by the President and/or International Office staff.

Director of Professional Development

The Director of Professional Development is a voting member of the Governing Board, and through an application process coordinated by the Nominations and Election Committee, is appointed.

Qualifications/Criteria: Those who wish to hold the position of Director must have held membership in ACPA for no less than three years. Candidates must demonstrate effectiveness in the components of the job description for the position of Director of Professional Development.

Term of Office: The term of a Director, is three years: one year as elect and two years in the position.

Responsibilities of Office:

• Identify the professional development needs of the membership.
• Develop a comprehensive professional development plan that meets identified needs of the Association’s membership and the student affairs profession.
• Coordinate and allocate the Association’s professional development resources.
• Prepare Association members to assume future leadership positions, in consultation and collaboration with the Leadership and Training Committee.
• Chair the Leadership and Training Committee.
• Help prepare general members to assume future leadership positions.
• Orient and train appointed and elected leaders to fulfill job responsibilities and expectations.
• Attend all meetings of the Assembly.
• Coordinate the work of Graduate Preparation Internship Program (GPIP), assisted by at-large members of the Governing Board.
• Complete the mid-year and end-of-year reports following the guidelines provided by the President and/or International Office staff.

Director of Equity and Inclusion

The Director of Equity and Inclusion is a voting member of the Governing Board, elected by the membership of ACPA.

Qualifications/Criteria: Those who wish to hold the position of Director must have held membership in ACPA for no less than three years. Candidates must demonstrate effectiveness in the components of the job description for the position of Director of Equity and Inclusion.

Term of Office: The term of a Director, is three years: one year as elect and two years in the position.

Responsibilities of Office:

• Serve as Affirmative Action Officer for the Governing Board.
• Scan the larger environment to understand how issues of equity and inclusion impact the work of the profession, issues of the Association, and the needs and experiences of professionals.
• Develop a comprehensive plan for equity and inclusion that meets identified needs of the Association.
• Work closely with the Assembly leadership, serving as ex officio member of the Assembly.
• Serve on the Nominations and Elections Committee and the Leadership and Training Committee.
• Serve on the Convention Chair Selection Committee.
• Attend all meetings of the Assembly.
• 35 Section 3: Leadership Structure ACPA Leadership Manual
• Complete the mid-year and end-of-year reports following the guidelines provided by the President and/or International Office staff

Member-at-large Entry-Level

The Member-at-large Entry-Level is a voting member of the Governing Board and is elected by the membership of ACPA.

Qulaifications/Criteria: Four Members-at-Large on the Governing Board represent Faculty, Entry-Level Professionals, Mid-Level Professionals and Senior-Level Professionals. All Members-at-Large are voting members of the Governing Board and are elected by the membership of ACPA.

Term of Office:  The term of a Member-at-large, is three years: one year as elect and two years in the position.

Responsibilities of Office:

• Identify and address the needs of student affairs professionals in a variety of roles and at different points in their careers through coordinated Association action.
• Serve on at least one ACPA committee.
• Provide ideas for publications and conference presentations.
• Assist with revenue generation/fundraising ideas.
• Help identify future leaders within the Association.
• Attend all meetings of the Assembly.
• Complete the mid-year and end-of-year reports following the guidelines provided by the President and/or International Office staff.

Note: Responsibilities of at-large members are designed to allow for nimbleness, responsiveness and effective and efficient access to members of the Association.

Member-at-large Senior-Level

The Member-at-large for Senior-Level Professionals is a voting member of the Governing Board and is elected by the membership of ACPA.

Qualifications/Criteria: 

Four Members-at-Large on the Governing Board represent Faculty, Entry-Level Professionals, Mid-Level Professionals and Senior-Level Professionals. All Members-at-Large are voting members of the Governing Board and are elected by the membership of ACPA.

Term of Office:  The term of a Member-at-large, is three years: one year as elect and two years in the position.

Responsibilities of Office:

• Identify and address the needs of student affairs professionals in a variety of roles and at different points in their careers through coordinated Association action.
• Serve on at least one ACPA committee.
• Provide ideas for publications and conference presentations.
• Assist with revenue generation/fundraising ideas.
• Help identify future leaders within the Association.
• Attend all meetings of the Assembly.
• Complete the mid-year and end-of-year reports following the guidelines provided by the President and/or International Office staff.

Note: Responsibilities of at-large members are designed to allow for nimbleness, responsiveness and effective and efficient access to members of the Association.

Assembly Positions

Assembly Coordinator of Coalitions

The Assembly Coordinator for Coalitions will be elected by the membership of ACPA.

Qualifications/Criteria:  Each of the four Coordinators of the Assembly represents an entity of the Association: Commissions, International Divisions, Coalitions, and State Chapters. Coordinators for Commissions, International Divisions and State Chapters shall be elected by the membership of ACPA.

Term of Office: The term of the Assembly Coordinator for Coalitions is three years: one year as elect and two years in the position.

Responsibilities of Office:

• Facilitate communication between the Governing Board and the membership with respect to ideas, issues, and priorities;
• Represent their constituent groups in the planning, implementation and assessment of Assembly activities and the Association’s strategic plan.
• Attend meetings of the Assembly at the Annual Convention and the June/July Leadership Meeting.

Assembly Coordinator of State Chapters

The Assembly Coordinator for State Chapters will be elected by the membership of ACPA.

Qualifications/Criteria:  Each of the four Coordinators of the Assembly represents an entity of the Association: Commissions, International Divisions, Coalitions, and State Chapters. Coordinators for Commissions, International Divisions and State Chapters shall be elected by the membership of ACPA.

Term of Office: The term of the Assembly Coordinator for State Chapters is three years: one year as elect and two years in the position.

Responsibilities of Office:

• Facilitate communication between the Governing Board and the membership with respect to ideas, issues, and priorities;
• Represent their constituent groups in the planning, implementation and assessment of Assembly activities and the Association’s strategic plan.
• Attend meetings of the Assembly at the Annual Convention and the June/July Leadership Meeting.

Assembly Coordinator of Communities of Practice

The Assembly Coordinator for Communities of Practice will be elected by the membership of ACPA.

Qualifications/Criteria:  Each of the four Coordinators of the Assembly represents an entity of the Association: Commissions, International Divisions, Coalitions, and State Chapters. Coordinators for Commissions, International Divisions and State Chapters shall be elected by the membership of ACPA.

Term of Office: The term of the Assembly Coordinator for Communities of Practice is three years: one year as elect and two years in the position.

Responsibilities of Office:

• Facilitate communication between the Governing Board and the membership with respect to ideas, issues, and priorities;
• Represent their constituent groups in the planning, implementation and assessment of Assembly activities and the Association’s strategic plan.
• Attend meetings of the Assembly at the Annual Convention and the June/July Leadership Meeting.

Assembly Coordinator of International Divisions

The Assembly Coordinator for International Divisions will be elected by the membership of ACPA.

Qualifications/Criteria:  Each of the four Coordinators of the Assembly represents an entity of the Association: Commissions, International Divisions, Coalitions, and State Chapters. Coordinators for Commissions, International Divisions and State Chapters shall be elected by the membership of ACPA.

Term of Office: The term of the Assembly Coordinator for International Divisions is three years: one year as elect and two years in the position.

Responsibilities of Office:

• Facilitate communication between the Governing Board and the membership with respect to ideas, issues, and priorities;
• Represent their constituent groups in the planning, implementation and assessment of Assembly activities and the Association’s strategic plan.
• Attend meetings of the Assembly at the Annual Convention and the June/July Leadership Meeting.