Candidates for Council Team Director – Postsecondary 2016-2017
Brian Hodges
Senior Admissions Counselor
University of Illinois Springfield
Education:
- B.A. Liberal Art & Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Master of Public Administration, University of Illinois Springfield
IACAC Member: 4 years, 10 months
IACAC Activities:
- National College Fair
- District Seminar
- Summer Institute
- Mentorship Committees
- College Awareness and Preparation Committee Co-Chair
- Motivate Me
- Camp College
Other Professional Activities:
- CARR Counselor Outreach Co-Chair
Considering the recently adopted strategic plan for IACAC, what do you hope to achieve within this role as it pertains to the objectives of new plan?
I am very passionate about helping students find their way, especially when it comes to empowering them to take control of their future. This is why I was drawn to the College Awareness and Preparation (CAP) committee. The two programs we run, Motivate Me and Camp College, embody exactly what is needed for students. Motivate Me empowers young men and women (beginning this May) to pursue their goals both academically and personally. Camp College gives students the tools needed to make the best choice for their educational futures. The individuals that volunteer for the CAP committee share the same passion for students that I do. I will bring that same passion to the role of Council Team Director for IACAC.
My objective during my time as Council Team Director will be to help expand membership so more of the state of Illinois will have a voice in IACAC, find more ways to give back to our membership (professional development opportunities), and help grow programs like Sharing the Dream, Camp College, Motivate Me, and other programs designed to educate professionals and help students.
If elected, what experiences, skills, and qualities do you bring to this specific position?
If I am elected, I will bring years of event planning experience. From planning Motivate Me, Camp College, and District Seminars with IACAC, to planning the annual Chicago Area Regional Representative (CARR) luncheons this year, to planning admitted student receptions and other events within the University of Illinois system, I can provide a multitude of ideas for current and new IACAC programs. I also have experience with and creating budgets as I have taken on this fiscal responsibility in the past with the CAP committee, CARR, and the University of Illinois events. Besides these attributes, I have a genuine passion for helping students. My involvement with IACAC has allowed me to help students in even more ways that I thought possible. I am very humbled to have the potential opportunity to continue to do this and more with IACAC.
Omar Solomon
Admission Counselor
Eastern Illinois University
Education:
- B.A. in Communication Studies
IACAC Member: 2010-present
IACAC Activities:
- Summer Institute Attendee (2010)
- Annual Conference Raffle Committee (2011)
- Annual Conference Entertainment Committee (2012)
- Annual Conference Entertainment Chair (2013–2015)
- CAP Committee Member (2013–present)
- Membership Chair (2015–2016)
- National Fair Committee Member (2015–2016)
- Mentorship Committee Member (2015–2016)
- Molly K. Arnold President’s Service Recognition Award Recipient (2015)
Other Professional Activities:
- Tau Theta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Campus Advisor
- S.T.R.O.N.G Male Mentoring Program Co-advisor (2011–present)
Considering the recently adopted strategic plan for IACAC, what do you hope to achieve within this role as it pertains to the objectives of new plan?
I share many of the same ideals with the recently adopted strategic plan and one would be to increase the awareness of our amazing organization! We as an organization do so much, but we can always do more for our colleagues and most importantly, for our students. By increasing our outreach throughout the state on both sides of the desk, we would be able to assist more students on their academic journeys. Furthermore, we are only as strong as our membership and that membership should reflect the diversity of our peers. Be it ethnic, geographic, or the diversity of experience, I would make sure our entire state is represented. Increasing the membership to reflect our state would empower a new generation of admission professionals to, stealing a quote from the current Past President Anne Kremer, “Say Yes” and become an integral part of our family!
If elected, what experiences, skills, and qualities do you bring to this specific position?
Arriving at the start of my sixth year in the field, IACAC has truly been such an important
part of my young professional career, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to give back to the organization! Through my experiences with IACAC, I have enhanced my communication skills through programs such as Camp College, Motivate Me, and serving as a Tri-Chair for Entertainment at the Annual Conference. These experiences showcase my ability to not only manage a team, but provide the feedback necessary to reach our goals. We empowered our committee members to each play a role in the entertainment planning each year because as a leader, you are only as strong as your team. I promise to serve as a motivated and creative team player for IACAC! Additionally, my position at Eastern Illinois University has aided my ability to multitask effectively in order to complete tasks to assist the students we work with. Serving as a senior counselor in the office, I pride myself in the ability to inspire our newer team members to not only grow as counselors, but to step out and become more involved with our organization! If elected, I will embrace this opportunity to interact with all counselors from both sides of the desk encouraging them to give back and grow within IACAC. I’m eager to take everything I know to help our organization develop as a whole and produce new leaders!
