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K-State Today

Division of Communications and Marketing
Kansas State University
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Manhattan, KS 66506
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November 10, 2020

Charlie Nutt to retire after 13 years at NACADA helm

Submitted by Patrice Scott

Charlie Nutt, executive director of NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising based at Kansas State University, will step down as the association's full-time chief executive in June 2021 as part of his planned phased retirement. His leadership of NACADA is the culmination of a 43-year career as an educator and executive in senior positions within NACADA and other institutions of higher education. 

During his time at NACADA, the association has earned worldwide recognition for its leadership in academic advising as well as a variety of areas vital to higher education, including student success, research and scholarship, assessment, administration and engagement. Nutt will continue leading NACADA through the current academic year. 

Nutt has led NACADA through a period of immense change and expanded its influence as a premier academic advising and student success association worldwide. NACADA's major accomplishments during these years include doubling of its worldwide membership, growth in NACADA conference attendance and the addition of advising institutes that draw nearly 10,000 delegates to 18 events annually, expansion of international efforts to include conferences and consulting around the world, creation of an additional research journal and strengthening of the association's longstanding commitment to inclusion, engagement and social justice. Nutt recently led the association through the 40th year celebration of its founding and the establishment of Global Advising Week in honor of academic advisors and administrators. 

"I am immensely proud of all that has been accomplished for students, institutions of higher education and NACADA members during this time, and these efforts have solidified NACADA's position as a global leader in academic advising and student success," Nutt said. "None of these accomplishments are the result of one person's efforts. They are the collective result of the ongoing work of NACADA's volunteer leaders, its members — many of whom will become our future leaders — and an exceptional professional staff whose work has been invaluable in so many successes." 

Nutt was appointed executive director of what was then known as the National Academic Advising Association in October 2007. He joined the executive office staff in 2002 as the associate director, initially coming to NACADA from appointments as vice president for student development services at Coastal Georgia Community College and assistant professor of English/director of advisement and orientation. He received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Brunswick College and the University of George and a doctorate in higher education leadership from Georgia Southern University. 

His vast experience in education includes serving as an educator and administrator at Coastal Georgia Community College; a high school teacher, department chair and assistant principal; director of development and admission at a private K-12 institution; and presently teaching graduate-level courses in Kansas State University's counseling, special education and student affairs department in the College of Education. He was instrumental in the initiation and development of the NACADA/K-State graduate certificate in academic advising as well as its master's degree in academic advising and its doctoral program in leadership in academic advising and in the creation of the NACADA Center for Research in Academic Advising and Student Success in association with the College of Education. 

During his tenure as executive director, an endowed scholarship was established by NACADA members and named in his honor, as was an academic advising practitioners award created by academic advisors and regularly presented at Kansas State University. 

"Dr. Nutt has worked tirelessly to enhance the quality of academic advising, raise the profile of the profession and solidify NACADA's reputation as an academic advising powerhouse," said Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education. "We are deeply grateful to him for his matchless service, and we are thankful that has led and will continue to lead during some of the most challenging times in higher education. His steady leadership, innovation and passion for students will leave big shoes to fill as NACADA continues to build upon its traditional foundations of academic advising excellence, scholarly work and engagement in the profession."

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