Ballots will be sent to all active members on Monday, December 1. Please check the email listed on your NODA profile for instructions. Voting will close on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 12:00 pm CST. If you need assistance, please contact NODA at noda@umn.edu.
Candidates for President-Elect
Candidates for Engagement & Access Officer
Candidates for General Board Member
Candidate Materials
Tina Arthur
Director of Orientation
University of Iowa
Introduction Video
Résumé
Why are you applying for an elected position and what skills/experience will you bring to this role?
I am applying for the President-elect position because I want to give back to an organization that has profoundly shaped my professional journey. NODA has provided me with invaluable opportunities for growth, networking, and leadership development, and I believe serving in this role is a meaningful way to express gratitude while advancing the mission of the association. I am passionate about supporting our membership and serving this generation of students, especially as higher education navigates significant change and uncertainty.
Additionally, my long-standing involvement with NODA, serving as a Board Member, Regional Coordinator Committee Chair, State Coordinator, and conference co-host, has given me a deep understanding of the organization’s structure, priorities, and challenges. I have a proven record of collaboration, innovation, and commitment to advancing our profession. As President-elect, I will leverage these skills to guide strategic planning, foster inclusive leadership, and ensure NODA remains a vital resource for professionals and students alike.
I bring over two decades of experience in orientation, transition, and retention, including 15 years in senior leadership roles. As Director of Orientation Services at the University of Iowa, I oversee complex programs impacting more than 6,000 students and their families annually and lead strategic initiatives that enhance student success. My background includes hiring and supervising professional and student staff, negotiating large-scale contracts, and implementing data-driven program improvements. These experiences have honed my ability to lead through change, build consensus, and maintain fiscal responsibility.
Describe your approach to considering the various communities, institution types, and membership types when making decisions. Provide examples of how you have advocated for a variety of communities in other roles.
My approach to a leadership role which represents a diverse Association is grounded in inclusivity, equity, and collaboration. I believe that decisions impacting a membership must reflect the voices and experiences of all communities, institution types, and membership categories. To achieve this, I lead with listening, actively seeking input from underrepresented perspectives and ensure that decision-making processes are transparent and participatory.
One example in my role at the University of Iowa, is when my team and I partnered with Academic Support & Retention to create the First Gen Hawks program. This initiative was designed to support first-generation students by connecting them with high-impact practices during their first year. The program emerged from a pilot program and feedback from students and campus partners, ensuring that multiple voices were central to the design.
A second example is that I have consistently advocated for rural and low SES students on our campus. Decoupling advising and course registration from our in-person orientation programs created more equitable opportunities for students in their academic pursuits. At the same time, a priority is ensuring that we are providing programming to the families and guests of our incoming class at no cost beyond the enrollment fee. We have strategically and purposefully found other ways to accommodate rising costs instead of implementing a fee for families.
In every leadership role, I approach decisions with a commitment to understanding the unique challenges faced by constituencies. I believe that representation is not just about having a seat at the table, it’s about ensuring that every voice is heard and valued in shaping outcomes.
[Back to President-Elect Candidates]
Jordan Holliday-Millard
Director of Enrollment Programs & Communications
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Introduction Video
Résumé
Why are you applying for an elected position and what skills/experience will you bring to this role?
First and foremost, I am applying for elected leadership because NODA has been my professional home for 15 years, and I care deeply about our organization and community. My journey began with the internship program, which provided me with my first professional experiences with orientation, transition, and retention (OTR) work, and I was immediately hooked.
NODA has continuously provided leadership development opportunities beyond my day job. I became deeply involved in my region (now the Southeast Place Community) as an entry-level professional on the regional leadership team and conference planning committees. Nationally, I served on the 2016 Annual Conference Planning Committee, which led to serving as conference host for the 2018 Annual Conference in San Diego. These experiences along with committee and ad hoc work helped prepare me to serve as Regional Coordinator for two terms in the Southeast. Now, as a board member, I can point to skills and experiences (communication, collaboration, strategic thinking, team building) that set me up to take on the role of President-Elect and, with the support of our community, succeed. For example, hosting the 2018 conference sharpened my strategic thinking through challenging me to bring together the vision of 12 volunteer leaders to deliver an excellent event for members.
I want to serve you as NODA’s President-Elect because our Association and higher education are facing an important moment in a rapidly changing world. I will bring my strengths of strategic thinking, communication, and coalition building to this role as we work together to bolster our strengths, invest in and support our new structures (Communities and Spring Learning), and envision new opportunities for our membership and field.
As a member, you can expect me to lead with people first. My leadership philosophy centers on the idea that the best leaders clarify the vision collaboratively with others, then give those leaders and experts the resources and space to be great. In my office, four professional values guide our work, and these values will also guide me as President-Elect:
Everyone: Our greatest strength is our community, and we must continue to work to create and support an organization where members can connect with and rely on others. This means continuing to be intentional in our program offerings and Communities, as well as interrogating our policies and practices for gaps and barriers to our current and future members.
Partnership: I firmly believe that the best work comes through working with others. In this role, partnership means working with the Executive Committee and Board to build a strong foundation of teamwork to chart the direction for our Association in the coming years. Furthermore, partnership means creating a culture where NODA leaders work together to turn vision into reality. Finally, I deeply believe that partnership between leaders and members is essential to our continued sustainability. This means that member voices and feedback will be key to informing the vision, direction, and outputs of our Association. Being accessible as a leader is also key to success here. As Regional Coordinator, I sought member feedback to understand what they were looking for through our programming and communications, which resulted in scheduled Discussion Zones, addressing member needs.
Impact: Association involvement is directly connected to the impact that it has for its members. While we know NODA has many strengths, such as our community and conferences, we also need to be continually looking at our value proposition for current and potential members. With a new membership growth plan led by Association staff, I am excited to look at how we refresh our brand and messaging to ensure that OTR professionals see NODA as the premier destination for their time, talent, and treasure. Caring about our impact–not only on members, but the field and higher education overall–will be key to our success. My current work in marketing and communications directly relates to the opportunities facing the Association, and I am excited to bring that knowledge to help better position us in the higher education association market.
Courage: Courage means doing the right thing, even when it is hard. As our field faces many new challenges, leaders will have to be courageous in making tough decisions to support our community and Association, as we all do everyday on our campuses. It also takes courage to be open to hear from members about ways our organization misses the mark. As a leader I will continue to center courage in my NODA work, as well as encourage it in our leaders and members.
I am applying to be President-Elect because I care deeply about this Association and its future. As an elected leader, I will work to ensure that many future professionals have access to the same meaningful opportunities.
Describe your approach to considering the various communities, institution types, and membership types when making decisions. Provide examples of how you have advocated for a variety of communities in other roles.
As President-Elect, my focus will remain on being an empathetic, people-centered leader. I will do this through being open and building relationships with members, challenging myself to continue to learn more, and pushing our Association and its policies, practices, and leaders to live up to our mission of an inclusive community of practitioners and scholars.
Self awareness is about continuously reflecting on my experiences and knowledge to identify my professional blind spots and actively working to fill those gaps to support my work in this role, including admitting when I do not know something and seeking out perspectives before making decisions.
Intentional relationships are also key to successfully considering the needs of our members. Rather than operating through assumptions, direct connections with members will help me better understand their experiences, the impacts of our decisions, and other concerns. To me, leadership should operate with members, not separate from them, which starts with being accessible and intentionally building relationships.
In my experience, I actively advocated for successful results in both my professional work and NODA involvement. Professionally, I used my role to address concerns of our campus community when altering our program model in 2023. First, I acknowledged my need for additional information about how our program model impacted campus partners from a variety of areas, including advising, admissions, technology, and others. Next, I worked to bring together these partners in intentional conversations, through 1:1 meetings, stakeholder groups, and outreach, which allowed us to identify timing challenges, technology limitations, and the need for increased transparency and communication. These intentional relationships allowed me to directly address those concerns in advocating for and adopting our new model. Outcomes included enhancing our pre-advising model to offer more advisor schedule customization, increasing our use of Slate tools to address communication and transparency for admissions, and updating our calendar to provide more time for campus to work with continuing students and prepare for the upcoming term.
As a NODA leader, I advocated for our regional leaders in the transition to Communities. As the Board liaison for the Regional Coordination Committee (RCC), I supported Regional Coordinators as they worked to develop the Place Communities plan. This advocacy included sharing their perspectives with my fellow Board members about the path forward–such as assignments and maps–as well as advocating for the Board to RCC about the overall vision for Communities implementation. This experience highlighted my two-fold approach. As a new board member in 2024, I had to admit that I did not know all the conversations informing our direction on Communities, and I had to listen and learn to best support RCC in their next steps. Additional, intentional relationships with Regional Coordinators and Board members helped support my advocacy for both groups, as we were able to adopt a successfully crafted plan for the Place Communities.
As President-Elect, my focus will remain on being an empathetic, people-centered leader. I will do this through being open and building relationships with members, challenging myself to continue to learn more, and pushing our Association and its policies, practices, and leaders to live up to our mission of an inclusive community of practitioners and scholars.
[Back to President-Elect Candidates]
Meridia Sanders
Director for Transition & Student Success
Louisiana State University
Why are you applying for an elected position and what skills/experience will you bring to this role?
After serving at the Board table for the past three years, I’ve gained firsthand insight into NODA’s priorities, challenges, and the incredible work happening across our association. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, but I’m equally motivated by what’s next — continuing to elevate our work and the professionals who make orientation, transition, and retention possible.
I’m running for President-Elect because I believe deeply in this profession and the people who do this work. Orientation, transition, and retention professionals create the first sense of belonging students experience, and that impact stays with them long after they leave campus. We are at a pivotal moment in higher education, one that calls for bold leadership and collective action to reimagine how we serve both students and those who guide them. NODA must continue to evolve alongside this changing landscape, modernizing how we serve members, strengthening our value, and ensuring our work remains relevant and responsive.
I bring more than ten years of experience leading large-scale transition programs, developing strategic initiatives, and building collaboration across divisions. My leadership style is grounded in curiosity, authenticity, and action. I listen first, make data-informed decisions, and move ideas from concept to implementation. At LSU, I lead programs that welcome over 8,500 new students and their families each year and manage a $1.5 million budget. These experiences mirror the scale, collaboration, and intentionality needed at the association level.
Through my time on the Board, I’ve deepened my understanding of NODA’s governance, strengthened partnerships, and championed innovation and connectedness in all we do. As President-Elect, I’ll continue to lead with transparency, care, and a focus on sustainability to ensure NODA grows with purpose and continues to be the professional home our members deserve.
Describe your approach to considering the various communities, institution types, and membership types when making decisions. Provide examples of how you have advocated for a variety of communities in other roles.
I approach leadership with the belief that while our institutions may differ in size, structure, and scope, the heart of our work is the same: helping students find connection, belonging, and success. The same is true of NODA. As an association, we have the responsibility to help our members find connection, belonging, and success in their professional journeys. The opportunity lies in making that work scalable and shareable so every professional can adapt proven ideas to their environment.
My approach to leadership begins with listening and understanding the unique realities, institutional contexts, and professional needs that shape our members’ work. I believe decisions should be grounded in equity, transparency, and representation, ensuring that all voices—from large research universities to community colleges and international institutions—are heard and valued. That also means considering professionals who may not have institutional funding to attend conferences but still deserve access to NODA’s resources, communities, and knowledge. During my time on the Board, I have worked to center perspectives that may otherwise go unheard, particularly those from transition and retention work, professionals balancing OTR responsibilities among multiple roles, and colleagues who have not always seen themselves represented in NODA spaces.
Having served at three large public institutions, I’ve seen firsthand how OTR professionals navigate complex systems with different levels of resources, support, and student need. On campus, I’ve led initiatives like the Student Success One Stop and Orientation on the Geaux, designed to increase access to services and reduce barriers to success. My research as a Ph.D. candidate focuses on the lived experiences of Pell-eligible students who stop out and later re-enroll at public universities. This research deepens my understanding of persistence and equity, which shapes how I lead and advocate for both students and professionals.
When making association-wide decisions, I strive to ask: Who benefits? Who might be excluded? And how can we design in a way that lifts all members? This mindset ensures that our actions reflect the range of our membership and strengthen our shared commitment to access, excellence, and student success. As President-Elect, I will continue to prioritize inclusivity, connectedness, and collaboration—ensuring NODA remains a space where every professional, regardless of role, institution, or funding, can find belonging and contribute to our collective impact, ensuring our relevance in higher education.
[Back to President-Elect Candidates]
Sarah Shannon-Mohamed
Director of Onboarding and New Student Programs
Central Carolina Community College
Introduction Video
Résumé
Why are you applying for an elected position and what skills/experience will you bring to this role?
I am applying for the Engagement and Access Officer position because I am deeply invested in supporting NODA’s members and advancing the Association’s strategic priorities. Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of serving on the Engagement and Access Committee, and this past year I served as the Board Liaison, which has given me insight into how the committee’s work supports members and aligns with the broader goals of the Association. These experiences have shown me the difference thoughtful engagement and access initiatives can make in connecting members, fostering leadership, and strengthening the NODA community. I bring a unique perspective, having experienced higher education through both the lens of a four-year institution and now as a professional serving at a two-year institution. This allows me to understand and advocate for the diverse needs of NODA members across a variety of settings. I have experience facilitating collaboration across committees, supporting professional development initiatives, and creating opportunities that broaden access and engagement for members. I am committed to helping all members feel connected, supported, and empowered to contribute fully to the Association
Describe your approach to considering the various communities, institution types, and membership types when making decisions. Provide examples of how you have advocated for a variety of communities in other roles.
I believe it is essential to approach every decision with a lens of inclusivity and equity, ensuring that the diverse perspectives, institution types, and membership needs within NODA are thoughtfully considered. My approach is to actively listen, seek input, and collaborate, recognizing that one size does not fit all when it comes to supporting members. In my experience, meaningful engagement often requires identifying gaps or barriers that may not be immediately visible and taking intentional steps to address them, so all members have the opportunity to participate fully and benefit from the Association’s initiatives.
For example, at Central Carolina Community College, we have a high population of Spanish-speaking students and their family members, yet many orientation materials and events historically did not account for language barriers or culturally responsive approaches. Recognizing this gap, I worked with colleagues to develop materials and sessions specifically designed for Spanish-speaking students and their families, ensuring they could fully engage in the orientation experience. These sessions provided not only critical information for student success but also guidance for families on how to support their students during this transition. This approach allowed us to create a more inclusive, equitable experience for all participants while considering the diverse needs of our campus community.
Through my work with the PTK Alumni Advisory Board, I encountered an accessibility challenge during an event where a presenter consistently declined to use a microphone. I opted to address the issue one-on-one, helping the presenter understand that the request was not about questioning their ability to project, but rather about ensuring no participant had to self-identify their need for accommodations. By framing the conversation collaboratively and emphasizing the impact on attendees, we were able to implement a solution that upheld accessibility standards while maintaining a positive relationship with the presenter.
Additionally, through my service on the NODA Board of Directors, I have actively worked to ensure the perspectives of two-year institutions are represented in discussions, particularly when conversations often centered on four-year institution experiences. By advocating for the unique needs and priorities of two-year schools, I have helped ensure that NODA’s strategies and initiatives are inclusive and relevant to the full spectrum of member institutions.
These experiences are also informed by my personal philosophy and journey. I work at a predominantly white institution and, although I identify as white, I am often perceived differently based on my appearance and style. At my own institution, I have intentionally chosen to be vulnerable and share my story, creating space to connect with colleagues who may feel ostracized or marginalized professionally, and offering support where it is most needed. This perspective continually shapes my approach to leadership, reminding me that thoughtful engagement requires listening, empathy, and intentional action.
Experiences like these have emboldened me to view my role and leadership through a lens of intentionality, with a focus on creating opportunities that ensure equity, broaden access, and engage everyone. As Engagement and Access Officer, I am committed to bringing this approach to NODA—advocating for strategies and initiatives that thoughtfully consider the full diversity of members, institution types, and communities within the Association.
[Back to Engagement & Access Candidates]
Ahmaad Solmone
Director of Orientation and Special Projects
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Introduction Video
Résumé
Why are you applying for an elected position and what skills/experience will you bring to this role?
I’m applying for this elected position because I’m deeply committed to advancing NODA’s mission of fostering inclusive and engaging orientation, transition, and retention practices. Over the past few years, serving as the Engagement and Access Officer has been both a privilege and a learning experience. I’ve seen firsthand the impact that intentional connection and access can have on member engagement and on the strength of our association as a whole.
In this role, I’ve developed strong collaborative relationships across regions and networks, led initiatives that increased member participation, and helped create spaces where professionals feel supported and valued. My background in student engagement and leadership development has strengthened my ability to communicate effectively, manage complex projects, and think strategically about how to expand access and involvement within NODA.
I’m seeking re-election because I believe there’s still important work to continue especially in ensuring that our members from all backgrounds and institution types feel included and empowered to contribute. I bring consistency, passion, and a genuine dedication to helping NODA grow in ways that reflect the diversity and excellence of our field.
Describe your approach to considering the various communities, institution types, and membership types when making decisions. Provide examples of how you have advocated for a variety of communities in other roles.
In any elected position, it’s essential to approach decision-making through the lens of inclusion, engagement, and access. My goal is to ensure that the needs of all members, across various institutional types, professional levels, and identities, are represented and valued in the Association’s work.
In my professional role, I’ve worked directly with students who were not fully college-ready, teaching five sections of University Seminar courses and serving around 200 students in that category. This experience taught me the importance of meeting people where they are, whether that’s students navigating higher education for the first time or professionals seeking ways to connect with NODA resources. It reinforced my belief that engagement and access must go hand in hand.
During my time as Engagement and Access Officer, I had the opportunity to co-develop The 5-Star Guide to NODA Program Planning: Focusing on Engagement and Access, a resource designed to help members intentionally incorporate inclusive practices into their programming. This guide highlights strategies to ensure that all participants, regardless of institutional size, financial capacity, or professional background, can engage meaningfully with NODA programs. It’s a reflection of my broader philosophy: that representation should lead to action, and that equitable access benefits the entire Association.
I bring that same mindset into every leadership role I hold, listening first, amplifying the voices of underrepresented individuals, and creating pathways for meaningful participation for all members.
[Back to Engagement & Access Candidates]
Mark Bagwell
Director of New Student & Family Programs
Utah Tech University
Introduction Video
Résumé
Why are you applying for an elected position and what skills/experience will you bring to this role?
Being a General Board Member would allow me to give back to NODA through expanding the professional growth, educational opportunities, and supportive community that I have been actively engaged in over the past eight years. As the field of OTR continues to shift amid the current enrollment challenges and legislative scrutiny, I believe that I can support NODA by bringing my personal experiences with these challenges to the Board to increase the support of NODA members also facing these challenges at their institutions. My previous leadership within NODA as a Regional Conference Host, Annual Conference Committee Member, and Region Leadership, has deepened my understanding of the inner workings of NODA and allowed me to support and encourage other members to become more engaged in ways that would best develop their skills. Being on the Board would allow me to continue to be an encouraging presence for other members by promoting policies, opportunities, and structures that promote the professional and personal growth of NODA members.
I am fortunate to have experiences with all three pillars of NODA, as I direct traditional orientation and first-year and transfer transition programming while reporting to the chief retention officer at Utah Tech. Additionally, as a dual-mission open-enrollment and stem-based university, OTR at Utah Tech must navigate a thin line between best practices for community college and four-year university experiences. This background gives me a hands-on impression at what pillars NODA supports well and what pillars NODA needs a fresh perspective on. Especially as universities face budget cuts and legislative demands, OTR professionals may come to NODA from increasingly diverse campus structures, and my background would help to guide NODA to become a more holistic association that expands its initiatives to meet its growing member base where they are.
Describe your approach to considering the various communities, institution types, and membership types when making decisions. Provide examples of how you have advocated for a variety of communities in other roles.
I personally believe that the first step of advocacy is presence. If I were a Board member, I would commit to being present, visible, and available to members who are part of the various communities, committees, and initiatives within NODA, and to the members who choose to take a more passive role within the association. This commitment to being present would allow me to hear directly from individuals who are impacted by the decisions of the Board and the Association, bring feedback from members back to the Board, and provide context for decisions that members may not understand. This would also help to frame my voice and decision-making on the Board as a voice of the members instead of my voice as an individual.
Living in a rural community and working at a regional institution within that community has unfortunately given me several opportunities to advocate for marginalized students that are being impacted by institutional, local, state, and federal policy and legislation. I strive to build relationships with people from across my institution, because I genuinely value building relationships, but also so that I can position myself to advocate for those that may not have the voice or connection to do so. As an example, Utah recently passed legislation impacting Trans housing on college campuses, but because of my connection with the Dean of Students and Director of Housing, they approached me to help guide Utah Tech to develop a compliant process to support Trans students who planned to live on campus. While I may not always have the knowledge or experience, I believe that my commitment to building genuine relationships will help me to advocate for others whose identities and backgrounds I don’t share.
[Back to General Board Candidates]
Michael Gonzalez
Associate Director of Student Transition Experiences
Northwestern University
Introduction Video
Résumé
Why are you applying for an elected position and what skills/experience will you bring to this role?
Over the past few years, my NODA roles have given me insight into several areas of growth for member engagement within the association. Those areas include 1. educational opportunities for our established and strategic professionals; 2. Continued engagement with our largest community, emerging and advancing professionals; and 3. Association finances and growth.
Since concluding my time as the 2024 Annual Conference Chair, I have continued my involvement with the association through the Leadership Development and Educational Initiatives Committees. Much of the work within these committees centers on member engagement and education. This comes at a time where the landscape of Higher Education looks very different from state to state and when a large number of our NODA Leadership roles have shifted through the implementation of NODA Communities. I bring a focused energy on access and engagement as we continue to assess the influence of state and national guidance for Higher Education Institutions, the educational offerings of the association, and through continuing to recruit NODA members from a variety of backgrounds into leadership roles.
Lastly, I recognize the importance of the governance and finance of the association. Governance and finance is where we as an association can actualize our values and support the needs of our members. As a Board Member I will remain committed to being a financial steward of the association and committed to the growth of the association.
Describe your approach to considering the various communities, institution types, and membership types when making decisions. Provide examples of how you have advocated for a variety of communities in other roles.
As a board member, it will be important for me to understand the association’s priorities, ask questions, and to consider the impacts to NODA members. These three areas will influence how I will navigate my role as a Board member in considering the various communities, institutions and membership types in my decision making.
Having served on NODA committees, I recognize the importance of supporting committee chairs with Board Updates. Hearing the work of these committees will help to influence change and identify additional considerations for impacts within the association.
As the Annual Conference Chair, we advocated for established and strategic professionals and their engagement with the conference. Over the past several years, this has been consistent feedback that has been received through the post-conference assessment. Seeing this feedback, it was important for me to consider how we could improve the offerings at the conference. In working with the Ed Sessions Subcommittee, we did outreach to these professionals at the launch of session proposals encouraging more folks to consider submitting sessions specifically for established and strategic professionals. Through this outreach we were able to increase the percentage of presentations specific to these professionals.
As the Co-Chair of the Multicultural Network (now the Professionals of Color Community), my advocacy centered around the member experience for Professionals of Color. Through this, the network became more connected with the Professionals of Color affinity spaces at the Annual Conference. My time with the Multicultural Network (MCN) also expanded the non-conference engagement with NODA members throughout the academic year. From continued affinity spaces, the MCN Newsletter, Regional Ambassadors, and roundtables.
Lastly, within my professional roles, I have worked with transition programs then fall orientation models, two areas of OTR that have smaller communities of professionals within OTR. At the University of Minnesota and Northwestern University, I served in roles that positioned me as a key player to the development and management to then support the strategic implementation of transition programs as new functional areas for these institutions.
[Back to General Board Candidates]
Marc Mobley
Senior Assistant Dean of Students
University of Chicago
Introduction Video
Résumé
Why are you applying for an elected position and what skills/experience will you bring to this role?
NODA has been my professional home since 2007, when I served as a NODA Intern at Florida International University. I have been an active member and volunteer with the association since then. I am very thankful for the opportunities this association has given to me. This involvement has helped to deepen my understanding of the field of Orientation, Transition, and Retention as well as building my community and connection with hundreds of professionals across the US and around the world. Throughout all of my volunteer positions, I have always looked for ways to give back to the association while also growing my understanding of the work we do as professionals on our home campuses. While I have taken a step back from leadership roles for a few years, I believe that I am now at a place where I can dedicate myself to serving as a General Board Member. I am someone who makes sure I can fully commit to roles and responsibilities before applying, and I am confident that I am now at a place where my professional experiences and my work within NODA make me a strong candidate to help move our association forward and continue the work that we have been doing for decades.
Throughout my professional experience in higher education, I have been able to work at several different institutional types, OTR positions, and departmental organizations and structures. My professional responsibilities have spanned the gamut of the work NODA members are doing on their respective campuses, and I am excited to be able to bring those experiences with me to a board position. I have been the young professional who has struggled to find programming at our annual and regional conferences that directly relates to the specific niche area of OTR I was working in at the time. I have also worked at institutions that have unique identities which have required me to take resources from our association and adapt them to fit what works on my campus. I understand what it is like to work on a campus that supports the work we do and what it is like to not have that institutional support and backing. I have been on campuses with a large delegation of NODA members and campuses where I was a solo traveler. I am thankful that I have been able to view our association and the work we do for our members and campuses from various perspectives. I would bring these experiences and skills to a NODA General Board Member position. I have always been someone who has tried to push our association to think bigger and to focus on having equitable experiences for our membership. This is something I would continue to do as a member of the board.
We are currently in an unprecedented time in higher education. I know that NODA has the opportunity to be an important voice and resource for our membership as we experience a societal shift in how higher education is viewed. As many of our member institutions experience decreases in federal funding and support, and I am excited about the opportunities and challenges associated with helping our association, and our membership, navigate these times and rethink how we can continue to champion the work of our members and the impact of OTR on our campuses, students, and their communities of support.
My volunteer experiences within NODA has ranged from volunteering as a resume reviewer to serving on regional and national conference planning committees, to serving in appointed positions like the Network Coordination Committee Chair. I believe that my breadth of experience in the workings of the association have positioned me to step into a board position and help lead our association. I have had the privilege of seeing our association navigate major changes throughout my time as a member. These changes include the transition to our current board and volunteer structure, the reorganization of the NODA Internship program, and the establishment of our association office and staff. I believe this historical knowledge and involvement will serve me well in this role. And although I have been lucky to be around the leadership table a few times, I am not tied to the previous way our association has functioned. I believe I will be able to balance that historical knowledge with the experience of navigating and championing needed change.
I hope to be able to give back to this association, which has given me so much in my many years of membership. Serving as a general board member has always been something I hoped would be part of my path in NODA and I believe based on my previous roles in the association and my experience at different institutional types and oversight of varying responsibilities in OTR have prepared me to take this next step.
Describe your approach to considering the various communities, institution types, and membership types when making decisions. Provide examples of how you have advocated for a variety of communities in other roles.
I previously served as the Chair of the Network Coordination Committee. Although we have shifted away from that previous structure, the work that I was able to do with the Networks is a great representation of how I would approach the varying needs of our membership. In the previous volunteer structure, the Networks represented what we currently call Communities. We have networks that represented institutional types, member and student identities, programmatic themes, and more. When I first stepped into the role of Network Coordination Committee Chair, there were some networks that had a long history of strong leadership and some that had struggled to fill positions consistently. This was not due to a lack of membership interested in these networks, but instead we were expecting all networks to function in a way that did not work for some, such as two-year institutions. There were several members from two-year institutions who wanted to be involved but did not have the ability to attend the annual conference on a yearly basis. Much of the network programming centralized on the annual conference. Additionally, we were appointing co-chairs of many networks to a two-year term on the same rotation as their co-chairs. During my time in this role, I was able to shift the terms of leaders to be overlapping and to increase the involvement of networks outside of the annual conference and within the regional structure at the time. These changes provided consistency in leadership and the opportunity for co-chairs to take on the position regardless of their ability to attend the annual conference. These changes met the needs of many networks who had previously had inconsistent leadership and programming and upon my departure all network leadership vacancies were filled. In addition, I was able to recommend the next Network Coordination Committee Chair be selected from one of the historically underrepresented networks. These changes also elevated the experience of the co-chairs and provided more holistic programming year-round for the association.
Since I spent a lot of time working with networks and the leaders of the networks, many assumed that I would be against the recent changes the association went through to move the networks into the new community structure. However, I was in full support of this change, because it is what was needed to adapt our association to meet the needs of our membership. I would bring this same mentality and approach to the NODA Board. Just like our campuses, our association needs to be agile and adapt to the needs of our constituents. It is important to recognize and honor history and traditions, but we do not need to let them hold us back from moving forward. As a NODA General Board Member, I would make sure that I am understanding the needs of our members to the best of my abilities and help to push the association to adapt and change when those needs are not being met.
[Back to General Board Candidates]
Erin Provistalis
Director of New Student Programs
University of Connecticut
Introduction Video
Résumé
Why are you applying for an elected position and what skills/experience will you bring to this role?
I am applying for an elected position because I believe I have reached a point in my NODA journey where I am ready to take on this responsibility. I want to help steer the direction of the organization, serve as a voice for our members, and create meaningful change. I am prepared to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with this role.
For more than 15 years, I have actively volunteered within higher education organizations, including NASPA and NODA. My involvement has spanned conference planning committees in various capacities, leadership boards, ad-hoc committees, networks and communities, and mentoring aspiring professionals. Each of these experiences has shaped my growth and strengthened my commitment to our field.
Through these roles, I have learned:
- The importance of being an active listener and advocate for my team, our members, and myself.
- How to make space for others at the table—sometimes by stepping back, stepping up, or stepping aside.
- That member input is essential because these organizations ultimately belong to them.
- How to navigate difficult conversations with colleagues respectfully and constructively.
- The value of collaboration and compromise, even when working with differing perspectives.
- How to problem-solve, think critically, and approach issues from multiple angles.
- To confront challenges head-on and work through them with my team.
- The importance of thoughtful decision-making and taking time to reflect.
- How to delegate effectively while creating buy-in for a shared vision.
- That asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
- How to manage time efficiently and balance competing priorities.
- The critical role of cultivating relationships—and creating spaces for others to do the same.
These lessons have prepared me to lead with integrity, empathy, and purpose. I am eager to bring this experience to the NODA Board and contribute to advancing our mission.
Describe your approach to considering the various communities, institution types, and membership types when making decisions. Provide examples of how you have advocated for a variety of communities in other roles.
When making decisions, it is essential that NODA leadership consider a wide range of perspectives. One of the most important responsibilities of our elected leaders is to represent the diverse voices within our association. To achieve this, we must provide multiple avenues for gathering input and feedback from institutional and associate members, communities, partner organizations, and even the students we serve. Inclusive engagement strengthens our decisions and reflects the collaborative spirit of NODA.
In my previous role as Annual Conference Chair, understanding and advocating for NODA members was always at the forefront of my work. Collaborating with the planning committee, we prioritized designing a conference that reflected the needs and voices of our association. We actively sought input from the Board, Association staff, Communities leadership, Committees, past planning committee members, and general members through conversations, surveys, social media engagement, and email outreach. Initiatives like the Research & Resource Fair emerged from this collaborative approach, ensuring the conference was dynamic, inclusive, and purposeful.
NODA members rely on the association to deliver meaningful professional development and networking opportunities. To truly meet these needs, we must first listen and understand their perspectives—then advocate and create solutions that reflect those insights. This commitment to engagement ensures that our programs remain relevant, inclusive, and impactful.
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DePaul Straub
Assistant Director for New Student & Transition Services
Colorado School of Mines
Introduction Video
Résumé
Why are you applying for an elected position and what skills/experience will you bring to this role?
I am applying for the NODA General Board of Directors position because I am passionate about the continued growth and sustainability of our Association and ensuring that younger professionals have a strong voice in shaping its future. NODA has played a critical role in my professional journey, and I want to contribute to the same meaningful engagement, mentorship, and innovation that have defined my experience as both a member and leader.
In my role as Assistant Director for New Student & Transition Services at Colorado School of Mines, I lead strategic planning, assessment, and communication initiatives that strengthen programmatic effectiveness and bolster student and family engagement. These experiences have honed my ability to align strategic vision with measurable outcomes- skills that would benefit me greatly as a Board member as we define a new strategic plan and enhance the overall return on investment for our members. I am particularly passionate about expanding access to professional development and resources beyond the annual conference, ensuring members find consistent and extended value in their NODA membership year-round.
Serving as the Heartland Place Community Co-Chair and previously as Region III Coordinator has deepened my understanding of the varied needs within our Association. I have led planning efforts, mentored new leaders, and supported NODA Educational Programs with a focus on inclusion, collaboration, and membership feedback. I have fiercely advocated for our members by asking tough questions and considering multiple perspectives in helping navigate the changes to the Communities model and would continually commit to listening to our members when considering critical questions and changes. These leadership experiences have strengthened my ability to listen, advocate, and strategically plan in ways that reflect today’s evolving higher education landscape.
As a member of the Board of Directors, I would bring energy, fresh perspectives, and a future-focused mindset that is grounded in data-driven decision-making, intentional communication, and a commitment to advancing NODA’s mission for the next generation of higher education professionals.
Describe your approach to considering the various communities, institution types, and membership types when making decisions. Provide examples of how you have advocated for a variety of communities in other roles.
In every leadership role I’ve held, my approach to decision-making has been rooted in meaningful listening, equitable representation, and a data-informed understanding of member and community needs. Serving on the Board of Directors requires a commitment to view the Association through a holistic lens that values the unique experiences of professionals across institution types, professional levels, and lived identities. My goal is to always ensure that I bring an informed perspective that reflects the full diversity of NODA’s membership, not just those most visible.
As Heartland Place Community Co-Chair and former Region III Coordinator, I’ve learned how to balance the needs of professionals in large public universities, small private colleges, and two-year institutions. Through community meetings and open communication, I prioritize gathering input directly from members to ensure that programming and engagement opportunities are inclusive, accessible, and relevant to our work. When working with other Regional Coordinators to navigate the change to the Place Communities model, I made it a priority to listen to all of the various perspectives and advocated for compromise and collaboration in drafting motions that would benefit all Place Communities, not just the region I served. My experience in this role has provided invaluable insight into the ways in which we can continue to support our members and their unique needs, especially as the landscape of higher education continues to change.
At Colorado School of Mines, I have consistently advocated for underrepresented voices through my role as a Faculty Advisor for our LGBTQ+ oSTEM student organization. This experience has reinforced the importance of fostering environments where individuals from marginalized communities are not only welcomed but are empowered to lead. Additionally, my work on the Administrative Faculty Council strengthened my ability to seek out multiple perspectives, build consensus, and communicate effectively across diverse professional groups.
In serving the Association as a whole, I would bring this same perspective- one that is grounded in collaboration, strategic reflection, and an unwavering commitment to representing the breadth of NODA’s membership as we work to build a stronger Association together.
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