The NODA Networks serve as the foundation of the Association in that they attempt to meet the many needs of our members. Each Network represents an opportunity for members to affiliate with a group in which they have personal or institutional interest. Members may align with several Networks and are encouraged to pursue leadership roles within the Network structure.
The identified functions of each NODA Network help orientation professionals cooperatively and collaboratively become informed and responsive to present and future interests of new college students and their institutions. In an on-going process, Networks conduct surveys, compile information directories, apprise members of publications, resources, and conferences which specifically address needs of the identified students or institutional group. Participants are encouraged to contribute their expertise by presenting research and other applied practice information sessions at regional and national conferences and to contribute topic specific articles to the Orientation Review.
Networks are open to all members of the Association. Please contact the individual Network chair for more information on the particular Network.
Diversity Exercises
This the list of NODA Diversity Exercises. Each file is in Word 2003 format.
"Researchers Propose 6 Ways to Keep Community-College Students Beyond the First Few Weeks"
Some students at community colleges never make it into the enrollment statistics. They drop out before the first count is taken, usually a few weeks into the semester.
A report to be released today by the Center for Community College Student Engagement seeks to help officials understand the student experience in those critical first three weeks, and how they might engage those at-risk students and prevent them from becoming dropouts.
The report, "Imagine Success: Engaging Entering Students," is based on data from the Survey of Entering Student Engagement, or Sense, conducted this fall. Its findings come at a time when community colleges are being called on to help achieve a national goal set by President Obama: to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020.
But to fulfill their role, community colleges have several daunting obstacles to overcome—including annual attrition rates of nearly 50 percent, according to national data. Nearly 30 percent of students fail to make it to even their second semester.
Many students drop out because they do not immediately feel connected to the campus or engaged in their academic work, and that's reflected in the report's findings. Eighty percent of entering students said they felt welcome when they came to college. But only 24 percent reported that a specific person was assigned to them for help if they needed assistance or information.
This year's Sense report proposes six design principles that, if used together, could quickly engage students and curb the rate of attrition. Those principles include helping students make personal connections on campus, setting high expectations, and creating plans to meet academic goals.
Summer is almost here, and we need your help! We are gearing up for NODAC 2009, and before you get too busy please look at submitting a program. This is a great opportunity to collaborate with other members to co-present, and a great way for you to network with other institutions. Utilize the listserv and throw out your ideas to see if there is someone who would like to present with you.
We are very thankful for the volunteers who will or have represented the two-year college network at regional NODA conferences and are looking forward to NODAC 2009. If you have a desire to become more involved please let us know!
Scott Peska & Jessica Hale
Best Practices: Community College of Denver Sarah Oglesby (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
) What are you most proud of? We have a program that involves active engagement in primary services on campus. We spend the first hour of orientation doing basic information, ice breakers, and listening to guest Alumnae speaker. Then we break into smaller groups to do workshops where we have students learn about various services and in between these we tour the campus. We complete the session with campus expo/fair of services where student can visit with staff and programs.
How long has it been implemented? It's new this semester!
What advice do you have for someone looking to mirror this? Include the whole campus and your orientation leaders in your planning. Also offer high level leadership training as part of the OL training so students will be good leaders and will have a worthwhile experience even if you can't pay them.
Undergraduate Student Network
Click here for information on undergraduate student membership in NODA.
The role of the Undergraduate Student Network is to meet the needs and concerns of NODA's undergraduate student population. This Network helps students feel more a part of the national association through the annual First Timer's Session. A comprehensive network directory provides the needed connection for participants to communicate with each other via phone, fax or e-mail year round. This group collaborates closely on issues related to the undergraduate staff member's potential interest in pursuing a professional career in orientation. One Network goal is to provide members with current information on graduate programs in student affairs and updates on career position announcements. Additional new goals may be established at the Undergraduate Student Network meetings scheduled for national and regional conferences. Interested students can get involved by coming to the First Timer's Sessions, contacting the Network chair, or by attending the meetings during the national or regional conferences.
Click here for information on graduate student membership in NODA.
The role of "the graduate student" is a challenge to define within most student affairs professional organizations. NODA's commitment to this constituency and their distinct needs is exhibited through its organization of the Graduate Student Network. The Network provides an opportunity to meet with NODA graduate student members. Current Network members have identified the following issues as pertinent to their area of concern: networking with the organization; building and designing effective professional resumes and learning competent interview skills; establishing mentor relationships with NODA professionals; gaining professional presentation experience; and exploring research opportunities in the area of orientation. The Network is committed to creating a support system with NODA to tap the organizations resources and address these issues. The Network welcomes not only graduate students, but also other NODA members either interested in graduate education or graduate student issues.
The role of the Undergraduate Student Network is to meet the needs and concerns of NODA's undergraduate student population. This Network helps students feel more a part of the national association through the annual First Timer's Session. A comprehensive network directory provides the needed connection for participants to communicate with each other via phone, fax or e-mail year round. This group collaborates closely on issues related to the undergraduate staff member's potential interest in pursuing a professional career in orientation.
The Two Year College Network serves the needs of the group of NODA members who work in orientation at two year colleges. The group communicates throughout the year by mail or e-mail and helps interested participants remain apprised of current and effective programming formats applicable to their student audiences. Most recently, the Network conducted a survey of two-year schools and compiled an information sharing list identifying the needs and interests of this group and how members could provide support to their constituencies.
The purpose of the Transfer Services Network is to address the specific transition needs of transfer students and provide support and resources to those who plan orientation programs for this unique population.
The purpose of the Small College Network is to identify the unique academic and social characteristics of small colleges and universities having 5,000 or less students and how to appropriately develop orientation formats to accommodate them. In 2004, to aid in this endeavor a Small College Network (SCN) on-line resource manual was created. This resource features nearly 80 Small Colleges within the NODA network. Please visit this site by clicking onto http://hilltop.bradley.edu/~dpt/.
The purpose of the Parent & Family Network is to identify and address the unique orientation and transition programming needs of parents and family members of new college/university students and to appropriately develop orientation formats and programs to accommodate parents and family members. Parents and families play an increasingly critical role in the successful matriculation of students and frequently turn to university personnel seeking information and support. Orientation and transition programs provide a valuable avenue to introduce and connect parents and families with university information, services and programs. The Parent & Family Network will generate discussion toward Parent Orientation programs, Parent Services Departments, Parent/Family Weekend programs, and Parents' Associations.
The Nontraditional Student Network provides a forum for orientation professionals to identify both emerging needs and effective program formats to support students over eighteen years old who are initiating or resuming education after having progressed through different life experiences. Network activities promote the sharing of research, proven methods and approaches that can be replicated and applied to orientation events for nontraditional students (mature students, non-traditional, continuing students, etc.) on all campuses.
The Multi-Ethnic Network provides NODA members with opportunities for networking, support, and sharing of information on current multi-ethnic issues. This Network serves as a coordinating body for endorsing, promoting and evaluating new student programs and services offered on all college campuses that strive to educate new college entrants on multi-ethnic topics. Participants recognize the continued need to educate all NODA constituents on the importance of planning orientation programs that include components on multi-ethnic awareness in higher education today. To meet this goal, all NODA members are encouraged to present information sessions at NODA national and regional conferences and to write articles for the Orientation Review.
The role of "the graduate student" is a challenge to define within most student affairs professional organizations. NODA's commitment to this constituency and their distinct needs is exhibited through its organization of the Graduate Student Network.
The purpose of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Allies Issues Network is to educate and raise the consciousness and understanding among non-gay/lesbian/bisexual individuals about the concerns and needs of gay, lesbian and bisexual students and professional colleagues in NODA and other professional associations. It also serves to provide a supportive atmosphere in which individual NODA members who may be struggling with their own sexual identity may discuss those issues.
