March 19, 2025
For Immediate Release
NODA Region VIII 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 VIII. One of nine regions, Region VIII comprises the following states: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, and Virginia as well as the District of Columbia. The 2025 Region VIII award winners were announced during the NODA Regional Conference in Newport News, Virgina. Winners from Region II 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 VIII Innovation in Orientation Program Award is presented to Old Dominion University for the program’s “Success Teams”.
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 VIII Outstanding New Professional Award is presented to Cassie McGhee from Old Dominion 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 student leaders.
Undergraduate Student
The 2025 Region VIII Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader is Gabby Contla from Ramapo College of New Jersey.
Graduate Student
The 2025 Region VIII Outstanding Graduate Student Leader is Stephanie Heffron from Towson 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.