April 4, 2025
For Immediate Release
NODA Region IV Award Winners Announced
In service to NODA’s mission of creating an accessible community which enhances and elevates orientation, transition, and retention practices in higher education, the Association is pleased to announce the NODA Regional Award winners for Region IV. One of nine regions, Region IV comprises the following states: Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas. The 2025 Region IV award winners were announced during the NODA Regional Conference last weekend in Denton, Texas. Winners from Region IV will automatically advance for consideration in NODA’s annual awards process. Annual award winners will be announced at the NODA Annual Conference in San Francisco, CA, October 24-27, 2025.
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.
The 2025 Region IV Innovation in Orientation Program is presented to Wichita State University for the program’s “Spanish Family Orientation”.
The 2025 Region IV Innovation in Retention Program Award is presented to the University of North Texas for the program’s “Transfer Communities”.
The 2025 Region IV Innovation in Transition Program Award is presented to Wichita State University for the program’s “Shocker State Fair”.
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 graduate student leader.
The 2025 Region IV Outstanding Graduate Student Leader is Koby-Sebasyen King from East Texas A&M University.
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 2025 Region IV Outstanding Professional Award is presented to Nash McQuarters, Tulsa Community College.
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 2025 Region IV Outstanding New Professional Award is presented to Calyn Boyd from Oklahoma State 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 may recognize undergraduate students leaders from two-year and four-year institutions as well as graduate students leaders.
The 2025 Region IV Two-Year Outstanding Student Leader is Jared Gutirrez Nunez from Tulsa Community College.
The 2025 Region IV Four-Year Outstanding Student Leader is Madi Montgomery from Wichita State University.
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.