NODA has over 40 years of history of education, leadership, and professional development in the field of orientation, transition, and retention. The External Review Program assesses organizational strengths while identifying opportunities for rejuvenation and change in new freshman, transfer student orientation; family orientation; student leader selection; training and development; parent programs; and retention using experienced individuals from the field to conduct on-site evaluations. We seek a diversified group of consultants who complement each other’s experiences and strengths for a well rounded review.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Participant in preliminary meetings with institution to address the purpose of the review
- Develop agenda, questions, and preparation for the onsite review (typically 2-3 days)
- Review material submitted by the institution prior to the onsite visit
- Make travel arrangements for onsite visit (reimbursed by NODA)
- Submit expense report within two weeks of the onsite visit
- Incorporate CAS Standards and NODA Core Competencies where appropriate
- Write draft report within 30 days of the onsite visit using the NODA report template; solicit feedback via email and/or a virtual meeting with the institution to complete the final draft
QUALIFICATIONS & ELIGIBILITY
At the time of application, individuals must have:
- Active NODA membership and previous NODA leadership positions in various roles (i.e. Executive Committee, Board Member, Faculty, etc);
- Current employment in higher education and a minimum of 10 years of professional, full-time employment in higher education;
- Experience writing scholarly content, assessment, and confidential reports;
- Experience in traditional summer orientation; fall programs; spring programs; Welcome Week; extended orientation; transition courses; outdoor/wilderness; one-day programs; two or more day programs; or Welcome events
- Individuals with special populations experience are highly desirable: transfer; commuter; adult learners; graduate students; international students; veterans; minority; LGBTQIA+; or first generation
- Supervisory experience with professionals, graduate or undergraduate students; recruitment, selection and/or training of staff
- Expertise with first-year reading; leadership programs/courses; civic-engagement; NODA internship; budgeting; research; strategic planning; resident life; living-learning; student groups; student development; retention; CAS Standards; or learning outcomes/assessment
EXPECTATIONS
- ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP
NODA Consultants must have a minimum of 6 years of NODA membership to apply. - HIGHER EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT
NODA Consultants must have a minimum of 10 years of professional, full-time employment at a higher education institution with stated experience noted above. - FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
NODA will cover the travel expenses for the onsite institution visit using the least expensive mode of reasonable transportation such as coach/economy class and per diem as set by the U.S. General Services Administration. Consultants must submit itemized receipts for flights, ground transportation, and hotel within 30 days of the site visit. Each consultant will typically receive a $2,000 honorarium for a consultation that involves a 2-3 day site visit. Honoraria for other consultation modalities, including fully virtual or longer on-site visits will be negotiated with Association staff. Honoraria and travel reimbursement will be paid after the draft report is submitted to the institution. - TIME COMMITMENT
While the time commitment may vary due to the complexity of the external review, generally consultants can expect at least 12 hours on an External Review. This includes writing the final report. This does not include travel time for the onsite visit. Consultants will serve at minimum a 3 year term that can be renewed. - COMMUNICATION
Consultants require individuals to be in active communication with other consultants, Association staff, and external constituents. Consultants are expected to engage in discussion and actively participate in the external review.
- REPRESENTATION
Consultant agrees that they are representing NODA during the External Review and will represent the Association in a professional and ethical manner following the NODA Statement of Ethical Standards and NODA Nondiscrimination Affirmative Action Statement. Consultants are expected to represent NODA with clarity, professionalism, and integrity.
DESIRED EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ATTITUDES
- Doctoral degree preferred, masters degree required
- Diverse professional experience with a variety of institution types, OTR roles, and supervision lines
- Leadership and management experience that reflect the skills needed to fulfill the consultant responsibilities; this includes: Inter- and intra-personal skills, project management, written and verbal communication, teamwork, and critical thinking
- Theoretical and current knowledge and understanding of the field of orientation, transition, and retention along with current trends in higher education
- Knowledge and demonstrated commitment to best practices and trends related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Applicants must also demonstrate an understanding of NODA’s core purpose, beliefs, values, and core competencies, as well as the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the position as stated above, including the CAS Standards.
TYPICAL TIMELINE OF AN EXTERNAL REVIEW
- When an institution submits a request for a NODA External Review, the consultants will have the opportunity to review the request and institutional profile. Consultants will notify the association staff if they are interested in conducting the review.
- Profiles of interested consultants will be provided to the institution; the institution will select two consultants.
- The selected consultants will participate in a “kick off” meeting with the institution’s contact and association staff to determine goals, timeline, and site visit dates.
- The association staff will initiate contracts that include information from the kick off meeting. No work should be started until all parties have signed the contacts.
- Consultants will conduct preliminary virtual meeting(s) with the institution’s contact and key stake holders.
- Consultants will submit a draft report to the institution within 30 days following the site visit and solicit feedback for the final draft.
- The final draft should be submitted no later than 60 days following the site visit.
SELECTION PROCESS
All applications will be reviewed by the Executive Director and NODA President. Appointments will be made by the NODA President in