Ohio University

Orientation Programs staff recognized at regional conference

Mar 20, 2013
From staff reports

Ohio University Orientation Programs staff received multiple awards for presentations at the Region VII conference of the National Orientation Directors Association held in Toronto in early March.

Undergraduates Tracy Gundy, student coordinator and administrative orientation leader, and Ryan Vollrath, an orientation leader in the College of Arts and Sciences, won “best overall communication” and “best overall presentation” in the undergraduate case study competition. Their case study focused on social programming at orientation and the challenges of diversity and ethics. The duo also presented a session on how OHIO’s values demonstrate the importance of student staff cohesion in successful orientation programs.

The Orientation staff won first place in the “passive program” Idea Marketplace competition for its orientation materials. The OHIO team had an interactive display of the Ohio Experience Book, Relocate Day brochure, Ohio University Parent and Family calendar, and the Orientation Programs bookmark.

Other Orientation staff who gave presentations are the conference were:

• Cimmeron O’Connor, assistant director of Orientation Programs, who presented on communicating orientation messages effectively. The session was based off a series called The Habitutdes, which helps students use images effectively, along with innovative communication techniques to help students deliver their message efficiently.
• Russell Morrow, a graduate student in the College Student Personnel Program and previous orientation leader, who presented on building bonds among student staff. The program focused on the success of our staff and what they contribute to the orientation program. Morrow focused on the formal training as staff development and the informal bonds that are created, which build a successful student staff.

Founded in 1976, NODA is an international association of professional college orientation administrators, students, faculty and related organizations.