The Circle of Excellence is a recognition program established as part of the NODA Excellence Fund. The Circle of Excellence honors and engages individuals who have served as professionals and scholars in the fields of Orientation, Transition, and Retention and who have dedicated years of service to NODA. Ambassadors serve for one year working with NODA fundraising efforts, raising funds to support the NODA Excellence Fund. 100% of all Circle of Excellence funds raised goes directly to assisting NODA members seeking both regional and national professional development opportunities both on the national and regional level.
Dr. Karnell McConnell-Black
Reed University
Please help Dr. K with his fundraising goal of $4,000 by NODAC 2026. You can donate towards their fundraising goal here.
Melanie Payne
Indiana University
Melanie has been working in orientation, transition, and retention since November of 1996 – and I joined NODA right away. She has NODA leadership experience with Regional and Annual conference planning committees, Board of Directors, Editor of the Orientation Planning Manual (as well as a Chapter author). Her greatest NODA accomplishments were serving as the Coordinator of the NODA Internship connecting our future professionals with new and growth inducing experiences. Melanie was the chair of the Strategize Planning Committee back in 2002 leading to the creation of an Association Office and staff, and the honor of serving a term as NODA President will forever be a significant life event for her.
The 2024 Circle of Excellence Ambassadors are Shawn Smee from Murray State University & Quincy Spencer from the University of Arkansas. Quincy and Shawn are halfway to their fundraising goal of $7,000. We hope you will consider donating to help them reach their goal before we head to Portland, OR for NODAC this fall.
The NODA Excellence Fund (NEF) Committee will begin seeking nominations for 2027 Circle of Excellence Ambassador in late Summer. Association members may nominate an individual who they feel best represents the principles of OTR and commitment to NODA, and who meets the criteria above Members may also self-nominate.
Each year, Association members will have the opportunity to nominate a colleague to serve as our Circle of Excellence nominee. Nominees will be selected by the NODA Fundraising Committee. The Circle of Excellence nominees will be announced at the NODA Annual Conference & will serve as ambassadors for the Circle of Excellence fundraising efforts for the Association for one year. Individuals will set their own fundraising amount with an attainable goal to strive to raise as much money as possible. The amount raised and individual will be recognized at the Annual Conference to close out their term.
*Decisions will be based upon contributions to NODA, years of active service, and contributions to the fields of OTR.
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