Title

Virginia Career Development Association

 Creating Connections for Virginia's Career Development Professionals

VCDA Home About VCDA Awards Network Resources Supporters By-laws Conference Membership VCDA Board Contact US

VCDA Candidates Bios 2014-15


The VCDA Board of Directors presents the following slate of candidates for vacant positions on the VCDA Board.  Personal bios are available below for each candidate for your consideration.   You may also write in any individual who is a member of VCDA for any of the positions available, when you go to the ballot at the bottom of the page. .  

The description of each of the roles can be found in the VCDA By-laws located at:  www.vcdaweb.org/bylaws.htm

Please review the candidate Bios and click the Vote Button button at the bottom of the page to go to the Ballot.


Candidate for President-Elect (3 Year Term)

Amanda Flora

Amanda Flora is an Assistant Professor in the Counselor Education program at UVA’s Curry School of Education. She earned a BS in Psychology from James M During her graduate studies, Amanda was recognized  on several occasions:  adison University, an MS in Counseling & Human Development (Community Focus) from Radford University, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Virginia.

  • Outstanding Community Counseling student at Radford University.
  • Inducted into three honor societies, including Chi Sigma Iota, and
  • Received VACES’ Research Grant Award for her dissertation on “Rural Stereotyping and Its Implications for Counselors.”

Prior to returning to graduate school, Amanda spent five years working for Virginia ’s Department of Juvenile Justice and serving individuals diagnosed with developmental disorders. Her interest in career development blossomed after teaching Career Interventions with Dr. Robert Pate and coordinating the Personal and Career Development Center (PCDC). After graduating from UVA, Amanda served as Assistant Director of Commerce Career Service at UVA’s highly ranked McIntire School of Commerce and taught as an adjunct for UVA and Capella University. In addition to her current work at the Curry School, Amanda continues to serve students enrolled in McIntire Business Institute, including developing an online career platform and redesigning the traditional career program.  As president of VCDA, Amanda would like to increase membership and member involvement, cultivate relationships with organizations throughout the Commonwealth, and focus on career development options for underserved populations. 


Candidate for Secretary-Elect (2 year Term)

Iris Rivera

Iris is a College & Career Center Specialist at Edison High School. She collaborates with teachers, counselors and administrators to help students from make the connection between classroom academics and career exploration. Iris provides students with numerous resources to assist them with their college and scholarship searches. Iris has served as served as a VCDA Board member and President. 


Candidate for Director-at-Large for Professional Development (2 Year Term) 

Paul Nichols

Paul Nichols is a native of Southside Virginia. Since graduating in 1980 from Virginia Wesleyan College, he has made a career in education as a teacher, counselor, and admin istrator in Southside Virginia.  Paul worked with the Virginia Department of Education, and also as an educational consultant with a national education software company.  Paul holds advanced degrees in Education from Longwood University and Virginia State University.

In 2007 he helped create Virginia Advanced Study Strategies (VASS) and serves as its first President and CEO. VASS is a 501(c)(3) non-­-profit organization promoting Advanced Placement classes in math, English, and science to serve as the academic foundation for Virginia students to be successful in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers. Since incorporation in 2007, VASS has partnered with 72 high schools in Virginia, primarily in highpoverty, high--minority areas. The increase in student participation and success in STEM related AP classes in these schools arewell over ten times the average growth for the state and nation. 


 
Vote Button

Click to Go to Ballot

 

NCDA Logo

VCDA is a proud Division of the Virginia Counselors Association (VCA), and
a State Division of the National Career Development Association (NCDA).