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NODA Faculty

NODA Faculty Definition:

NODA faculty develop, organize, and implement educational programming at an institute or symposium. They oversee the development, creation, and assessment of curriculum, leveraging current higher education research, trends, and best practices to create opportunities that will advance the field of OTR. NODA faculty ensure that educational content is aligned with NODA’s core values, core competencies, learning outcomes (as defined for each program), and CAS standards. Faculty are expected to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into the curriculum development process, ensuring that educational content reflects diverse perspectives, experiences, and needs. 

Faculty serve as the primary facilitators of educational content. They lead presentations, facilitate small group discussions, create a cohort experience for participants, and serve as informal mentors. 

In addition to the responsibilities of a NODA faculty member, a lead faculty is an expert on content specific to their educational program. They train, oversee and work collaboratively with a team of faculty in the development and continual enhancement of learning outcomes and curriculum. Lead faculty, in partnership with NODA Association staff, create timelines and deadlines, prepare materials for registration and communication for participants, and facilitate evaluation and assessment of the program.

Eligibility and Expectations:

  • Association Membership: Faculty are required to maintain an active Association membership for the duration of their appointment.
  • Higher Education Employment: Faculty are required to maintain employment at a higher education institution for the duration of their term.
  • Financial Obligations: Financial support (institutional or personal) is required to cover travel costs to attend in-person institutes or symposia. If institutional support is unavailable, email the Association staff to discuss options.
  • Time Commitment: Faculty can expect to spend between 5 to 8 hours per month planning an institute or symposium with additional hours required in the weeks leading up to the event. Faculty are expected to attend virtual planning meetings and complete tasks by assigned deadlines.
  • Communication & Representation: Faculty responsibilities require them to be in active communication with the Association staff, other faculty, and institute/symposium participants. Faculty are expected to represent the Association with clarity, professionalism, and integrity.
  • NODA Policies: Faculty are expected to adhere to the following NODA Policies:

Responsibilities and Qualifications

General Faculty Role

Responsibilities

  • Curriculum Development: In collaboration with other faculty and under the direction of the lead faculty, general faculty develop, organize, and implement programming. They oversee the development and creation of curriculum, leveraging current higher education research, trends, and best practices to meet the needs of participants and advance the field of OTR. General faculty ensure that educational content is aligned with NODA’s core values, core competencies, learning outcomes (as defined for each program), and CAS standards. Faculty are expected to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into the curriculum development process, ensuring that educational content reflects diverse perspectives, experiences, and needs.
  • Presentation and Teaching: General faculty present multiple sessions during the Institute/Symposium. Faculty are responsible for the preparation of materials and implementation of these workshops.
  • Facilitation of Small Groups: General faculty are often assigned a small group of participants with whom they meet, mentor, and facilitate small group discussions throughout the Institute/Symposium.

Qualifications

  • Knowledge of orientation, transition, and retention programs and trends.
  • Knowledge of and commitment to the structure, purpose and strategic direction of NODA and the institute/symposium.
  • 5+ years working in higher education, primarily with orientation, retention, and transition programs.
  • Working knowledge of curriculum development, assessment, and/or research. 
  • Demonstrated involvement and presentation experience within NODA.
  • Ability to collaborate across diverse constituents and facilitate discussion balancing multiple needs.

Lead Faculty Role

Responsibilities

  • Curriculum Development and Enhancement: Oversee the development and continual enhancement of learning outcomes and curriculum, leveraging current higher education research, trends, and best practices to meet the needs of participants and advance the field of OTR. NODA faculty ensure that educational content is aligned with NODA’s core values, core competencies, learning outcomes (as defined for each program), and CAS standards. Faculty are expected to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into the curriculum development process, ensuring that educational content reflects diverse perspectives, experiences, and needs. 
  • Program Delivery: Ensure appropriate development and implementation of the Institute/Symposium and associated activities, from start to finish, and maintain all content. Practice good fiscal stewardship with Association resources.
  • Team Leadership: Assist with the recruitment, selection, and training of Institute/Symposium faculty, including leading and working collaboratively with them in all aspects of the program development and implementation. Facilitate meetings with other faculty members, delegate workload, and represent the Institute/Symposium to other areas of the association such as the Association Board (as appropriate).
  • Presentation and Teaching: Lead and facilitate multiple sessions during the Institute/Symposium. Oversee the preparation of materials and implementation of all workshops and presentations. 
  • Assessment: Develop and administer an assessment plan; annually assess learning outcomes and programmatic goals, and implement enhancements for continuous improvement. Recommend policy or process changes to the Association Staff or NODA Board of Directors (as appropriate).

Qualifications

  • Knowledge of orientation, transition, and retention programs and trends.
  • Knowledge of and commitment to the structure, purpose and strategic direction of NODA and the institute/symposium.
  • 7+ years working in higher education, primarily with orientation, retention, and transition programs.
  • Working knowledge of curriculum development, assessment, and/or research. 
  • Demonstrated involvement and presentation experience within NODA.
  • Ability to collaborate across diverse constituents and facilitate discussion balancing multiple needs.
  • Previous experience working with the institute/symposium; preference will be given to applicants who have previously held a faculty position for the institute/symposium.

General Faculty Role

Responsibilities

  • Curriculum Development: In collaboration with other faculty and under the direction of the lead faculty, general faculty develop, organize, and implement programming. They oversee the development and creation of curriculum, leveraging current higher education research, trends, and best practices to meet the needs of participants and advance the field of OTR. General faculty ensure that educational content is aligned with NODA’s core values, core competencies, learning outcomes (as defined for each program), and CAS standards. Faculty are expected to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into the curriculum development process, ensuring that educational content reflects diverse perspectives, experiences, and needs.
  • Presentation and Teaching: General faculty present multiple sessions during the Institute/Symposium. Faculty are responsible for the preparation of materials and implementation of these workshops.
  • Facilitation of Small Groups: General faculty are often assigned a small group of participants with whom they meet, mentor, and facilitate small group discussions throughout the Institute/Symposium.

Qualifications

  • 3+ years working in higher education – primarily with orientation, retention, and transition issues.
  • Previous experience supervising and mentoring graduate and/or undergraduate students.
  • Demonstrated involvement and presentation experience within NODA.
  • Ability to collaborate across diverse constituents and facilitate discussion balancing multiple needs

Lead Faculty Role

Responsibilities

  • Curriculum Development: Oversee the development and creation of curriculum, leveraging current higher education research, trends, and best practices to meet the needs of participants and advance the field of OTR. Lead faculty ensure that educational content is aligned with NODA’s core values, learning outcomes (as defined for each program), and CAS standards. Faculty are expected to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into the curriculum development process, ensuring that educational content reflects diverse perspectives, experiences, and needs. 
  • Program Delivery:  Ensure appropriate implementation of the Institute/Symposium and associated activities, from start to finish, and maintain all content. 
  • Team Leadership: Oversee and work collaboratively with general faculty, including leading them in all aspects of the program development and implementation; facilitate meetings with other faculty members, delegate workload, and represent the Institute/Symposium to other areas of the association such as the Association Board and the Annual Conference Planning Committee.
  • Assessment: Create and facilitate an evaluation and assessment plan for participants; annually assess learning outcomes and programmatic goals.
  • Presentation and Teaching: Lead and facilitate various sessions during the Institute/Symposium. Oversee the preparation of materials and implementation of all workshops and presentations.

Qualifications

  • Knowledge of and commitment to the structure, purpose, and strategic direction of NODA.
  • 3+ years working in higher education – primarily with orientation, retention, and transition programs..
  • Previous experience supervising and mentoring graduate and/or undergraduate students.
  • Ability to design and implement formal assessment and evaluations.
  • Demonstrated involvement and presentation experience within NODA.
  • Ability to collaborate across diverse constituents and facilitate discussion balancing multiple needs.

NODA Faculty Recognition and Remuneration

See Volunteer Recognition & Remuneration Policy.

Selection and Appointment Process

NODA members interested in serving as faculty members or lead faculty must submit an application for consideration. A review committee consisting of the President-Elect, Educational Initiatives Chair, one faculty member and Executive Director/or designee will select the lead faculty and members. The Executive Director/or designee will determine the faculty member to serve on the review committee. The review committee will make recommendation(s) for appointment(s) to the President for the lead faculty role and the lead faculty for the general faculty role(s).

Current NODA Institutes and Symposia

Graduate Student Symposium

The Graduate Student Symposium (GSS) team of faculty members consists of individuals who have held NODA leadership positions on both the national and/or regional level. GSS faculty have a background in orientation, transition, and retention programs. All faculty members are chosen because of their experience and commitment to graduate student leadership development. Together, they help establish learning outcomes for graduate students participating in the Annual Conference, develop and facilitate the curriculum for the symposium, create a plan for assessment of the program, and more.

Orientation Professionals Institute

The Orientation Professionals Institute (OPI) is staffed with a team of faculty members who have held leadership positions within NODA and at higher education institutions. OPI serves as a comprehensive learning experience with a focus on orientation. This program is designed for professionals who have limited experience in orientation and have been charged with this responsibility at their institution.

Retention Symposium

The Retention Symposium (RS) is an educational opportunity for experienced professionals to pursue retention practice, knowledge, and competency development. The format of the symposium is a combination of facilitated conversations and small group clusters. This professional development opportunity is designed for established professionals with decision-making authority in their unit/division, or for institutional initiatives that impact retention results. 

Transition Symposium

The Transition Symposium (TS) is designed for professionals who facilitate the ongoing integration, reflection, and education for students across a variety of functional areas and experiences. The Symposium focused on trends and topics of emergent student needs that are foundationally important to overall student success. Faculty 

Directors and Managers Institute

The Directors and Managers Institute (DMI) is an educational opportunity for experienced and established professionals who have decision-making authority in their unit or division for orientation and transition initiatives. The format of the institute is a combination of lectures, large group- and small-group discussions. The institute provides a space for participants to network with colleagues in a comparable level role through individualized and small group learning experiences. 

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