Board Self-Nominations & Position Descriptions

SoACE members have the opportunity to help shape the future of the association through service on the Board of Directors. Board members provide strategic guidance and oversight while supporting SoACE's mission, programs and membership.

2027–2028 Board Self-Nominations Are Now Open
Deadline: November 13, 2026
Terms for elected positions begin July 1, 2027.

SUBMIT A SELF-NOMINATION PREVIEW THE APPLICATION

Jump to: Before You Begin | Open Positions | What Happens Next | Nominations Committee | Position Descriptions

Board Self-Nominations

Beginning with this election cycle, SoACE has moved to a self-nomination process for Board positions. Current SoACE members who are interested in serving on the Board should submit an application on their own behalf for the position they wish to pursue.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to have significant volunteer or committee experience within SoACE or a comparable association, although this experience is not required. Applicants must be current SoACE members.

Before You Begin

The self-nomination application asks candidates to provide information about their interest, qualifications, professional experience, and involvement with SoACE and other professional organizations.

Please be prepared to provide:

Your contact information
The Board position for which you are applying
Years of SoACE membership
Responses to application questions about your interest, qualifications and experience
A personal headshot
A current resume
A letter of supervisory support (required)

Important: Your self-nomination is not considered complete until your letter of supervisory support has been uploaded. Because Board service requires a significant time commitment, including meetings, preparation and potential travel during business hours, this letter should confirm that your supervisor/employer is aware of the commitment and will provide the flexibility needed to serve.

You may review all application questions and requirements before beginning:

VIEW APPLICATION PREVIEW

Open Board Positions

SoACE is accepting self-nominations for the following 2027–2028 Board of Directors positions:

President-Elect
3-year term: President-Elect → President → Past President

Director – Communications and Marketing
2-year term

Director – Professional Development
2-year term

Director – Targeted Knowledge Groups
2-year term

Director – Member Services
2-year term

SUBMIT A SELF-NOMINATION

What Happens Next

After the nomination deadline, the Nominations Committee will review all self-nominations and prepare a recommended slate of candidates for the SoACE Board of Directors.

The proposed slate will be presented to the Board for approval. Following Board approval, the slate will be shared with the membership during the Annual Business Meeting at the 2026 SoACE Conference.

Following the Annual Business Meeting, all voting-eligible members will receive an electronic ballot and voting instructions.

Nominations Committee

Thank you to the following members for serving on the SoACE Nominations Committee for this election cycle:

Ralph Leal (Chair) – SoACE Past President, Texas A&M University–Kingsville
Erica Betz – SoACE President, Vanderbilt University
Tracy Austin – SoACE President-Elect, Clemson University
Helen Powers – University of South Carolina
Krystal Johnson – Virginia Tech

Board Position Descriptions

The position descriptions below provide an overview of responsibilities for SoACE officers and directors. Positions currently open for 2027–2028 self-nomination are marked with OPEN FOR SELF-NOMINATION.

Officers

President

The President is the chief executive officer of the Association and, as such, provides strategic and operational management to the Association for the term of his/her office. S/he convenes and presides at all meetings of the Board of Directors and membership, is an ex-officio member of all committees; appoints appropriate members to Board positions and committee chairs to fill unexpired terms of office, perform such duties as are incident to the office or that may be assigned by the Board of Directors, and succeeds to Past-President upon the conclusion of fulfilling his/her Presidential role after one year. The President represents the Association at other regional association’s annual conferences and the Regional ACE Presidents Consortium (RAPC) meetings. The President directly oversees the conference committee, serves as a member of the Finance Committee, and manages the Association’s vendor relationship/contract with its Executive Director.

President-Elect | OPEN FOR SELF-NOMINATION

The President-Elect’s primary responsibilities focus on preparing for his/her year as Association President. As such, s/he oversees and is directly involved in Association strategic planning, and By-Laws management. S/he serves as a member of the Finance Committee. S/he performs all duties of the President in the absence of or at the request of the President and serves as Acting President until the next election should the President’s office become vacant. The President-Elect succeeds to the office of the President after serving on the Board of Directors for one year and will then succeed to Past President for one year.

Nominees for President-Elect are recommended but not required to have held a previous board position with SoACE or another similar association, or have extensive committee involvement within SoACE.

Past President/Secretary

The Past President/Secretary is a direct resource/advisor to the President, assisting him/her in transitioning effectively from president-elect to president. S/he oversees and is directly involved in the nominations process for future Association board members and the nomination and selection process of recipients for the Association’s annual Awards. S/he maintains an historical archive of Association records for the fiscal year, and serves as a member of the Finance Committee.

Director – Finance

The Director of Finance ensures all fiscal operations for the association are conducted legally and efficiently, documented accurately, and communicated to the Board of Directors and membership appropriately. S/he works with the President, Past-President and President-Elect to draft an annual budget for the Board to review and approve. S/he works with the Board and the Association Management firm to manage and process all deposits and withdrawals, accounts payable & accounts receivable, and Association investments. S/he works with the Executive Director and Finance Committee in the submission of association financial records for an annual audit. S/he serves a two-year term in office and is the chair of the Finance Committee.

Nominees for Director of Finance are recommended but not required to have extensive board or committee involvement within SoACE or another similar association in addition to experience developing and maintaining budgets in a professional or non-profit setting.

Directors

Director – Access & Community Development

The Director of Access & Community Development designs, implements, and manages programs that empower community members by ensuring access to resources and services. S/he develops and oversees initiatives that improve access to essential resources and opportunities for members. S/he facilitates constructive dialogues and community-building efforts that strengthen relationships across the SoACE membership. This includes supporting platforms and initiatives that encourage interaction, collaboration, and the sharing of best practices within the community. S/he serves a two-year term in office.

Director – College Knowledge Groups

The Director of College Knowledge Groups is responsible for providing value-added services to our existing membership by overseeing the work of the assigned Knowledge Groups. Each Knowledge Group’s outcomes includes professional development opportunities, research on relevant issues, focused discussion forums, resource development, and other related support for members.

The Director – College Knowledge Groups and the Director – Employer Relations and Targeted Knowledge Groups work together to ensure there is a cohesive approach to the management of the Knowledge Groups.

Director – Communications and Marketing | OPEN FOR SELF-NOMINATION

The Director – Communications and Marketing ensures the quality and content of all communications and marketing shared by the Association. S/he is charged with maintaining programs that ensure viable outreach to the professional community through various means of Association communications and marketing initiatives to include social media, email communications, and the SoACE website. S/he oversees the Communications Committee, Social Media Committee, and Technology Committee, in addition to the Conference Marketing Liaison.

Director – Professional Development | OPEN FOR SELF-NOMINATION

The Director of Professional Development identifies and recommends workshop, orientation, and other educational and training programs and research activities to contribute to the professional development of the membership and advancement of the profession. S/he oversees the Professional Development committee, including specific pre-conference workshops and Emerging Leader and Masters Series programs; coordinates and oversees the Research committee; and oversees the solicitation of members for volunteer involvement in the association. S/he serves a two-year term in office.

Director – Targeted Knowledge Groups | OPEN FOR SELF-NOMINATION

The Director of Employer Relations/Targeted Knowledge Groups is responsible for providing value-added services to our existing membership by overseeing the work of the assigned Knowledge Groups. Each Knowledge Group’s outcomes includes professional development opportunities, research on relevant issues, focused discussion forums, resource development, and other related support for members.

The Director – College Knowledge Groups and the Director – Employer Relations/Targeted Knowledge Groups work together to ensure there is a cohesive approach to the management of the Knowledge Groups.

Director – Member Services | OPEN FOR SELF-NOMINATION

The Director – Member Services is responsible for providing value-added services to our existing membership by leading efforts to identify methods to recruit new members, develop and maintain an effective mentoring program and new member orientation program.

The Director – Member Services ensures there is a cohesive approach to the management of the association’s total membership process, sharing assets, ideas and processes to ensure a common approach to membership growth and development exists; providing equal opportunity and development for all member categories. S/he oversees the Membership Committee, New Members Committee, State Association & Consortia Committee, Consulting Services Committee, and Job Board Committee.

Director – Employer Engagement

The Director of Employer Engagement is responsible for leading SoACE’s strategic outreach efforts for employer recruitment and retention. S/he oversees the Employer Engagement Committee and gathers information and ideas from employer members to provide programming and conference workshops that meet their needs. The Director of Employer Engagement partners with the Employer Knowledge Group to ensure employer members are engaged in the association. S/he serves a two-year term. This position will be held by a SoACE employer member.

Past SoACE Presidents