November 11, 2024
For Immediate Release
National Award Winners Announced
In service to NODA’s mission of creating an inclusive community, which enhances and elevates orientation, transition, and retention practices in higher education, the association is pleased to announce the NODA Award winners for 2024. The annual awards process helps elevate and highlight the outstanding work of our members. These winners were selected from over 171 different applications and nominations. Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees. Annual award winners were announced at the NODA Annual Conference in Portland, OR on November 11, 2024.
NODA is an international association providing scholarship and professional development for the areas of orientation, transition, and retention.
NODA Presidential Recognition Award
The Presidential Recognition Award is given annually at the discretion of the Association Presidents to an individual or organization to honor outstanding commitment and support to the advancement of the mission of the Association.
The 2024 Presidential Recognition Award goes to Jesse Cunion, Assistant Dean for Student Services, College of Arts and Sciences at Cleveland State University. Jesse is honored for her regional leadership and her help to move several association-wide initiatives forward including involvement in the development of the implementation plan for the Core Competencies. Most recently she’s been focused on ushering in the regional version of communities known as Geographic Place Communities. Her leadership with regional coordinators and others has positioned the association well as we look ahead to launching NODA Communities in 2025 and our Spring Learning Institute initiatives in 2026.
Outstanding Orientation, Transition, and Retention Professional Award
The Outstanding Professional Award recognizes outstanding contributions of a professional to the field of orientation, transition, and retention. Contributions should include development or enhancement of a model orientation, transition, or retention program that meets the varied needs of students; leadership within NODA; and/or other significant contributions to the field. Recipients must have five or more years of professional experience in higher education.
The 2024 Outstanding Orientation, Transition, and Retention Professional is Jordan Holliday-Millard, Director of Enrollment Programs & Communications at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Outstanding New Orientation, Transition, and Retention Professional Award
The Outstanding New Professional Award recognizes outstanding contributions of a NODA professional to the field of orientation, transition, and retention. Contributions should include demonstrated commitment to and promise of becoming a leader in the field of orientation, transition, and retention, innovative contributions to the individual’s institution, active participation in NODA, and/or other significant contributions to the field. Recipients must have less than five years professional experience in higher education.
The 2024 Outstanding New Orientation, Transition, And Retention Professional is Abbey Cliffel, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Orientation Programs at Ohio University.
Outstanding Student Leadership Award
The Outstanding Student Leadership Award is designed to give special recognition to students for their creativity, energy, enthusiasm, and outstanding abilities, which are the backbone of any successful campus programs. This award will recognize one undergraduate student leader and one graduate student leader.
Undergraduate Student
The 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader is Mattie Smith from the East State Tennessee University. Mattie served as the Preview and Orientation Leader Organization (POLO) Intern for New Student & Family Programs at East Tennessee State University.
Graduate Student
The 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader is Raina Cowans from the University of North Carolina. Raina is a Graduate Assistant for Enrollment Programs office while pursuing their Masters of Education in Higher Education Leadership.
Outstanding NODA Intern Award
The Outstanding NODA Intern Award recognizes one intern who demonstrated commitment to learning, professional development, and service through the successful completion of a NODA internship.
The 2024 Outstanding NODA Intern is Meera Patel from Vanderbilt University, for her outstanding work as a NODA Intern at Washington University in St. Louis’s First-Year Summer Academic Program (FSAP).
Norman K. Russell Scholarship
The Norman K. Russell Scholarship is awarded to recognize and assist graduate or doctoral students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to orientation, retention and transition, who will contribute to the enhancement of the orientation field, and who is currently enrolled as a graduate student in orientation-related fields. Up to three $1,000 scholarships (one of which may be awarded to a doctoral student) will be announced at the annual conference. Scholarships are sent through each recipient’s financial aid office for distribution of funds.
The 2024 Norman K. Russel Scholarship is Sal Rizza from Southern Connecticut State University. The Director of Orientation, Transition & Family Southern Connecticut State University.
Innovative Program Award
The Innovative Program Award recognizes a program or unique approach to a challenging situation or a specific campus need. This award seeks to recognize innovative and effective approaches in three categories with awards for Innovation in Orientation, Innovation in Transition, and Innovation in Retention. It is the opportunity to highlight good administrative practices that meet the changing needs of an institution and its students. These innovative programs help generate new knowledge and best practices within the field of orientation, transition, and retention.
Orientation Program
The 2024 Innovation in Orientation Programs Award is presented to Rutgers University – New Brunswick for their program “What would you do”.
Transition Program
The 2024 Innovation in Transition Programs Award is presented to Old Dominion University for their program “Monarch VIPS”.
Retention Program
The 2024 Innovation in Retention Programs Award is presented to the University of Pittsburgh for their program “Bridge to Success”.
To learn more about NODA membership and programs, visit www.nodaweb.org or reach out to noda@umn.edu.
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For questions or comment, please contact Joyce Holl, NODA Executive Director, holl@umn.edu.