The mission of the Utah Advising Association (UAA) is to provide professional development opportunities for college and university personnel who serve as a part of the academic advising community. The UAA also serves as a vehicle to promote collaboration between representatives of institutions throughout the state of Utah.
History
The Utah Advising Association traces its origin back more than 30 years to what was known as the Utah Advising Conference. In the beginning, there were several advising administrators throughout the state that thought it would be nice to gather the advisors together from their institutions for a conference to discuss advising-related issues and network with each other.
Over time, this informal conference grew to include new student orientation and became a great tradition among Utah advising and orientation professionals who looked forward to gathering each year in Park City at the Yarrow Hotel. As the number of advisors grew throughout Utah and as nearly all of the original conference organizers had moved on, it became clear that something must be done to maintain this great tradition.
On September 30, 1999 those serving on the conference committee voted to officially organize the Utah Advising and Orientation Association (UAOA) and a set of bylaws were adopted that would ensure that the opportunities for advisors in Utah would continue. Due to evolving structures among the majority of Utah higher education institutions, the UAOA governing committee voted on September 27, 2013 to remove Orientation from the name of the organization to more accurately reflect those who participate. Advising in Utah has never been stronger, and it through the strength and organization of the Utah Advising Association (UAA) that Utah has not only maintained a valuable advising tradition, but has also hosted acclaimed regional and national conferences for the National Academic Advising Association.
The key to success for the UAA has always been in the wonderful advisors located at the Colleges and Universities throughout the state. The knowledge and experience shared among these colleagues has truly been amazing and is sure to continue indefinitely as we gather together each year.
Presidents of the Association
- 2022-2023 Co-President: Erin Bergeron, Utah State University
- 2022-2023 Co-President: Cara Wiley, Brigham Young University
- 2021-2022: Erin Bergeron, Utah State University
- 2019-2021: Daniel Jensen, Weber State University
- 2018-2019: Cara Wiley, Brigham Young University
- 2016-2018: Mayumi Kasai, University of Utah
- 2015-2016: Camille Gooch, Weber State University
- 2014-2015: Katya Konkle, Southern Utah University
- 2013-2014: Gale Larson, Brigham Young University
- 2012-2013: Vicky Larsen, Utah State University
- 2011-2012: Jennifer Wright, Weber State University
- 2010-2011: Clint Moser, Utah Valley University
- 2009-2010: Shanny Wilson, College of Eastern Utah
- 2008-2009: Tyler Morgan, LDS Business College
- 2007-2008: Noelani Porter, Brigham Young University (Chair, NACADA Region 10 Conference)
- 2006-2007: Blaine Edwards, Southern Utah University
- 2005-2006: Lee Hinckley, Utah Valley University
- 2004-2005: Sandy McLelland, University of Utah
- 2003-2004: Debra Bryant, Dixie State College (Chair, NACADA Region 10 Conference)
- 2002-2003: John Mortensen, Utah State University (Chair, NACADA National Conference)
- 2001-2002: Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski, Weber State University
- 2000-2001: John Mortensen, Utah State University
- 1999-2000: Wade Oliver, Salt Lake Community College