03/03/15
Fort Hays State University's Office of First Year Experience/Persistence received two awards at the recent Region IV Conference of NODA: The Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention in Higher Education in St. Louis.

FHSU's First 40 Days at Fort Hays State program received the 2015 NODA Region IV Innovative Program of the Year. It was also nominated as an innovative transitional experience for students during their first six weeks on campus that was integrated into the Freshman Seminar.

The Innovative Program Award annually recognizes an orientation, transition, retention program or unique approach to a challenging situation or specific campus concern or need. Receiving the award was Brett Bruner, director of persistence and retention. The First 40 Days at Fort Hays program will be considered for the international award, presented in October at the international conference.

Alyssa Mustard, Lakewood, Colo., a second-year graduate student studying higher education student affairs, received the 2015 NODA Region IV Graduate Student of the Year. Mustard works as the graduate assistant for family and transfer engagement in FHSU's Office of First Year Experience/Persistence and Retention. Mustard was nominated for her outstanding leadership in the development of FHSU's comprehensive family engagement and transfer engagement initiatives.

NODA is the leading international professional association providing education, leadership, and professional development in the fields of college student orientation, transition and retention. NODA Region IV consists of institutions located in the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.