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About the Institute
The Orientation Professionals Institute is a three-day training program that takes place just prior
to the NODA annual conference each year. It is designed for professional staff members who
have less than two years of experience in orientation and transition services—either new
professionals or those with experience in higher education but who recently acquired orientation
as part of their job. The institute connects these participants with experienced professionals in
the field and provides valuable training that participants can apply on their own campuses.
Institute Features
OPI is staffed by six outstanding faculty who have held leadership positions within NODA and
who will bring together a wide variety of orientation and administrative experiences. Regardless
of the type of institution you represent, you will have ample opportunity to interact with faculty,
other NODA leadership, and participants who share common challenges.
There will be a maximum of 100 participants who will be placed into different groups throughout the
institute such as groups by type of institution and regions.
OPI is held in conjunction with the NODA annual conference which participants are encouraged
to attend to learn more about orientation, transition, and retention.
[The 2008 OPI participants and staff in Boston, Massachusetts]
What topics will be covered?
- Building the foundation for an orientation programming model
- Learning programming ideas for first-year students, transfer students, parents, family members and adult/returning students
- Recruiting, selecting, training, supervising and evaluating staff
- Designing and managing budgets
- Building collaborative partnerships on campus
- Incorporating issues of diversity in orientation programs and training
- Using standards in the assessment and evaluation of orientation
- Managing stress and avoiding burnout
- Learning about professional development opportunities in NODA
To Register
Registration will take place on a first-come, first-served basis via the NODA conference web site in the summer. The cost of the institute is $250 which covers one continental breakfast, one lunch, one dinner, and a binder with all the program materials. Because NODA is supplementing the cost of this program, all institute participants must be NODA members. Please check the NODA website – nodaweb.org - for more information on how to become a member or you can join when you register for OPI.Faculty
The 2008 OPI Staff in Boston, Massachusetts
For More Information
Lisa Trahan
Dean, Office of the First Year Experience
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
4100 Academy Hall, 110 8th St
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 276-3372
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- Again, thank you so much! I started working in this field in June and this institute benefited me immensely! I learned a ton – both from faculty and my peers. I appreciate this experience so much and can’t wait to bring ideas back to my institution! Standing Ovation!
- Where do I even begin?? OPI was phenomenal! I learned so very much, met amazing people, and was completely reinvigorated. I have to say that the overall experience was what I liked best. Thank you! I also love the binder of valuable materials!
- The faculty were amazing! The knowledge and information provided is extremely helpful and well put together. Also, all participants were open and welcoming.
- It was so nice to meet with other people who are in the same situation and to be able to gather a “best practices” list from them.
- You guys were great! The organization of the institute was mind blowing. It was a great opportunity to meet others in the field to discuss similar issues.
- I feel so much more prepared and confident in my ability to coordinate an effective orientation program.