NACADA, one of the premier global associations of academic advising in higher education, has selected a Cal State San Bernardino academic advisor as one of only 10 national and international advisors for its prestigious 2020-2022 Class of Emerging Leaders Program.

Maria Domingo, who has advised undergraduate students in the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration since 2015, will work closely in the two-year program with a mentor from NACADA to gain skills, experiences and knowledge needed to move into a leadership position in the association, according to a congratulatory letter from Charlie L. Nutt, the association’s executive director, to Lawrence Rose, dean of the Jack H. Brown College.

“Maria and their mentor will develop a plan for Maria’s involvement, which will be based on Maria’s interests, expertise, and goals for the future,” Nutt wrote.

“The purpose of the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is to provide an intentional and focused mentoring experience to members like Maria who are interested in becoming more involved in the association,” Nutt wrote. “This involvement not only will be excellent for NACADA, but will also enhance Maria’s own professional growth.”

Domingo said she was surprised and thrilled to learn that she was one of the 10 people named to the leadership program.

“I know there are a lot of other candidates from around the world who are also deserving of this opportunity,” Domingo said. “Not only am I excited to learn more about academic advising, leadership and research from other experts in the field, but I am also excited to share the great things we have achieved in advising at CSUSB.”   

Rose said he was pleased to hear Domingo being chosen for the NACADA Emerging Leaders Program.

“Given that only 10 people nationwide are selected for each class, it confirms what I already knew: we have an excellent team of dedicated and talented advisors in JHBC and I am happy Maria will be adding to her already impressive set of skills,” Rose said.  “I look forward to hearing all about her experiences over the coming months.”

Craig Seal, a professor in the Jack H. Brown College Department of Management, said Domingo

has been one of the college’s lead advisors over the last couple of years, helping to plan and deliver the college’s current advisor training and launching its peer ambassador program.

“She takes being an advisor very seriously, and works hard to continue to enhance her knowledge and understanding of advising theory and how it can enhance the advising relationship,” said Seal. “Maria is companionate and conscientious in working with students, and she also goes out of her way to understand not just our policies and procedures, but the student needs and how to lay out a plan for success.”

Edna Martinez, co-director of the university’s Educational Leadership & Technology program, who serves as dissertation chair for Domingo, a doctoral student, said, “Maria has impressed me with her tenacious appetite for learning, her devout work ethic, and her personal and professional commitments to student success. Her work is poised to make significant contributions in the areas of academic advising and improved student outcomes.”

Domingo has also been an active member of NACADA.

She served as a proposal reader to help determine which submissions are accepted to present for several NACADA conferences and also as an editor for an electronic advising journal for narrative therapy. Domingo was also to serve as the poster session chair for the NACADA Region 9 Conference that was to take place April 23-25, but the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was also to be a co-presenter regarding the positive impact career advising has on students when combined with general academic advising.

Domingo is not the first CSUSB advisor to be in the leadership program. Matthew Markin, an academic advisor for undergraduate studies, was a member of the 2017-2019 NACADA ELP Class. Markin was awarded a certificate of completion at the NACADA Annual Conference in Louisville in October 2019.

Prior to being an undergraduate advisor, Domingo served as a thesis advisor for the CSUSB Office of Graduate Studies where she supported graduate students.

Domingo holds a master’s degree in counseling and guidance with a pupil personnel services credential from CSUSB in 2009. She is working to complete her doctoral degree in educational leadership with a community college focus, also at CSUSB. Domingo’s research focuses on academic advising reform, organizational change and technology in advising.

Domingo said that academic advising has been transitioning and growing as advisors are being called upon to provide academic, personal and career support.

“A majority of our students are first-generation college students and have to juggle other responsibilities other than school. In order for students to be successful in their studies, they need support,” Domingo said.

Though face-to-face contact has temporarily stopped as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, advisors have not let up in their determination to work with students, Domingo said.

“Even with the virtual format for courses, we are still seeing students remotely and reminding them that we are available to assist during this stressful time,” Domingo said. “Our most important task is to ensure our students feel supported so that they can continue to move towards their goals despite the transitions and challenges they may be facing.”

Visit the NACADA Emerging Leaders Program for more information.

For more information about NACADA visit the NACADA website.