Jennifer L. Bloom - Bloomjl@mailbox.sc.edu
University of South Carolina

Jenny is a Clinical Professor and Director of the Master’s degree program in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Program at the University of South Carolina. Prior to her appointment at the University of South Carolina in August 2007, she served as the Associate Dean for Student Affairs & the Medical Scholars Program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Bloom was elected to serve as the 2007-08 President of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). She has co-authored 12 articles, three book chapters, and four books – Career Aspirations & Expeditions: Advancing Your Career in Higher Education Administration (2003), The Appreciative Advising Revolution (2008), Appreciative College Instruction: Becoming a Force for Positive Change in Student Success Courses (2011) and Increasing Persistence: Research-based Strategies for College Student Success (2012). In addition, she has presented her work at over 160 conferences and U.S. and Canadian higher education institutions.

Erin Konkle - konkl011@umn.edu
University of Minnesota

Erin is a doctoral student at the University of Minnesota in Organizational Leadership, Policy,and Development where she works as a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant.Previously she served as AdministrativeDirector of the Office for Optimizing EducationalExperiences at the University of South Carolina where she developed an online course, created an advisor certification system, and developed and implemented the Appreciative Advising Institute. Erin now words as a consultant for oe2 and institutions using Appreciative Advising in Student Affairs. Erin also worked for the Department of Student Life at the University of South Carolina. Erin began her career as a social worker with Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania coordinating University partnerships.

Rob Freidhoff - freidhro@gvsu.edu
Grand Valley State University

Rob has spent the past 9 years advising at Grand Valley State University. In his current role as Student Services Coordinator for the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, Rob integrates appreciative advising on a daily basis. In addition to academic advising, Rob is interested in educational technology and is assisting in the creation of the online Appreciative Advising Certificate course which will be offered Fall 2012 through the University of South Carolina. Rob received his B.S. In Health Sciences and M.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education, both from Grand Valley State University.

Joe Murray - murrayje@muohio.edu
Miami University Hamilton

Joe Murray has served as the Director of Academic Advising and Retention Services at Miami University’s Hamilton Campus since 1992. He earned both a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management degrees from Purdue University. He has helped to develop and refine the Appreciative Advising Inventory and been part of a national task force aimed at advancing the concept of Appreciative Advising. Joe works tirelessly to help students that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education. He has advocated for new legislation to change Ohio laws and operating policies to increase access to higher education for Ohio’s Lower Income/ Disadvantaged Youth and Foster Care Alumni. He has served as the Co-Chair of the First-Generation College Student Interest Group for the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) from 2007 until 2012. He has presented numerous times at both NACADA and NASPA. Most recently, he served on the faculty for the 2010 national conference on Academic Advising Strategies to Increase Persistence and for the Appreciative Advising Institute in 2011 and 2012.

Tyree Vance - tvance@csudh.edu
California State University, Dominguez Hills

Currently a Counselor for Student Support Services at California State University, Dominguez, Tyree Vance began his career as a Motivational Speaker and Youth Counselor in 2007. Previously he was a Program Analyst for Youth Action Project, a non-profit AmeriCorps organization that works to empower San Bernardino's youth to develop the skills and habits needed to experience economic and social success. In that role he supervised all AmeriCorps members and Community Engagement Specialists, guiding them in the planning and implementation of all community events. Prior to being promoted to Program Analyst, Vance was a Community Engagement Specialist where he taught high school classes preparing students for the California High School Exit Exam.

Vance graduated from California State University, San Bernardino with a dual major in Psychology and Human Development; with an emphasis on child development in 2009. He is currently in the Masters Program at California State University, Fullerton pursuing a degree in Higher Education.