The Champion for Change recognition celebrates NODA members who are transforming their campuses through the implementation of intentional programs and initiatives that cultivate a sense of belonging for students and all members of their campus community.

The nomination form is open to all current members of NODA. The Engagement and Access Committee reviews all nominations and chooses the Champion. The committee’s hope is that the transformative work our Champions do will inspire others to be change agents on their campuses and in their roles.

Do you know someone who is a Champion for Change? We want to showcase our members who are making a positive impact on their campuses. Self nominations are encouraged. 


Congrats to our Champions for Change!

Key to Success: Confidence Through Connection

When asked what she is most proud of, Candace shared, “The students make me consistently feel proud — both the student staff who I get to help develop as leaders that are passionate about helping others feel seen and supported, and the incoming students who reaffirm our work every time they leave our events feeling more confident and capable.” That sense of growth and transformation fuels her dedication. Whether mentoring student leaders or designing programs that meet students where they are, Candace finds her greatest successes in authentic moments of connection when students begin to believe in themselves and in their place at Stockton.

Her nominator shared that “an impressive 97.8% of respondents on the Summer 2024 Orientation and Registration Assessment agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: ‘Orientation increased my overall sense of belonging at Stockton.’” But Candace didn’t stop at the numbers. For the few students who felt otherwise, she personally led a team of student leaders to follow up with individual phone calls, ensuring that every student received the care and connection they needed to feel confident in their transition.

A Culture of Belonging, One Connection at a Time

“Candace’s ability to bridge multiple divisions and departments is truly remarkable,” wrote her nominator. Her leadership touches every part of the Stockton student experience, from New Student Orientation to affinity-based programming, from parent and family engagement to student leadership development. In fact, her student staff group, TALONS, is now one of the largest and most respected leadership programs on campus, earning recognition as a best practice by Middle States.

One standout initiative under Candace’s leadership was the introduction of multilingual nametag add-ons, allowing student leaders to display the additional languages they speak. This small visual cue had a big impact. It immediately increased comfort and accessibility for students and families seeking language support and community connections. Her 2024 student team alone spoke six languages in addition to English, and the initiative sparked positive feedback from day one. In addition, Candace showcases the cultural heritage of her office’s student leaders during major campus-wide initiatives like Latino Visitation Day. By decorating with the flags and identifiers, along with student leader photos, future students can make an immediate positive connection to their potential at Stockton University.

Shaped by Experience, Inspired by Care

Candace’s commitment to belonging stems from many sources: campus-wide conversations, student feedback, professional development, and her own lived experiences. “Inspiration to implement changes… [has] come from a range of places and experiences like sitting at an event serving Latinx prospective students, attending professional conferences, considering goals set by leadership, post-event debriefs, and conversations with students,” she said. Above all, Candace is guided by one central value: “My student staff knows that the top quality I look for in my team is ‘care,’ and I stand by that being a necessity if we want to truly foster a sense of belonging in the community.”

Her leadership philosophy extends to the wider community as well. Whether organizing monthly family newsletters, presenting at cultural events, or designing inclusive visuals, Candace creates spaces where students feel represented, seen, and celebrated.

Candace Mitchell
Director of Student Transition Programs
Stockton University

Previous Champions