October 24, 2023
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 2023. The annual awards process helps elevate and highlight the outstanding work of our members. These winners were selected from over 150 different applications and nominations. Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees. Annual award winners were announced at the NODA Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN on October 15, 2023.
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 2023 Presidential Recognition Award goes to Lizette Rebolledo, Director of Orientation & Transition Experiences at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Lizette is honored for her dedication to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Association as well as her work as the inaugural Equity & Inclusion Officer (2020 – 2022). The Equity & Inclusion Officer is an Executive Committee member on the Board of Directors for the Association.
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 2023 Outstanding Orientation, Transition, and Retention Professional is Phillip Campbell, Director of Student Support and Engagement at the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish 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 2023 Outstanding New Orientation, Transition, And Retention Professional is Nick Stines, Senior Program Coordinator at Syracuse University.
Outstanding Mentor Award
The Outstanding Mentor Award is designed to give special recognition to those professionals who provide outstanding mentorship and guidance to graduate students who aid in orientation, transition, and retention programs with our Association and on your campuses.
The 2023 Outstanding Mentor is Sarah Joslyn, Director of Orientation & Transition at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
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 students leader.
Undergraduate Student
The 2023 Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader is Cassidy Morrow from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Cassidy served as a member of the New Student Orientation and Transitions’ Flagship Office Student Staff at UMass.
Graduate Student
The 2023 Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader is Alicia Dominguez from the University of North Texas. Alicia is a Graduate Assistant in the Orientation & New Student Programs office while pursing their Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration.
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 2023 Outstanding NODA Intern is Emma Mancini from Missouri State University who did their internship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Emma is pursing their Master of Science degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education.
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 2023 Recipients are
Alayzha Booth
Case Manager
Pepperdine University
Masters Candidate
Chrissy Daniel
Associate Director
University of Buffalo
Doctoral Candidate
Stephanie Brown
Executive Director
University of North Texas
Doctoral Candidate
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 2023 Innovation in Orientation Programs Award is presented to the University of South Carolina-Columbia for their program Getting Cocky About Orientation created by the Office of New Student Orientation,
Transition Program
The 2023 Innovation in Transition Programs Award is presented to the University of Iowa for their program First Gen Hawks created by the University College Orientation Services.
Retention Program
The 2023 Innovation in Retention Programs Award is presented to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for their program Clash Collective Pop-up Thrift Shop created by the office of New Student and Family Programs & the Sustainability Institute for Regional Transformations (SIRT)
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.