11/30/15
HAYS, Kan. -- Fort Hays State University was well represented at the recent annual conference of NODA: The Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention in Higher Education, last month in Denver.

Brett Bruner, director of transition and student conduct, served as conference chair at the international conference, which was the largest to date with 1,109 undergraduate students, faculty members and associate members in attendance.

Bruner was selected the 2015 national Norman K. Russell Doctoral Scholarship recipient. The scholarship recognizes and assists one doctoral student who has demonstrated a strong commitment to orientation, retention and transition, who will contribute to the enhancement of the orientation field, and who is currently enrolled as a doctoral student in orientation-related fields.

Alyssa Mustard, Lakewood, Colo., a second-year graduate student enrolled in the higher education student affairs master's program and the graduate assistant for family and transfer engagement in the Office of Transition and Student Conduct, received the 2015 Outstanding Graduate Student award. This award recognizes a graduate student who has demonstrated service to NODA or to the orientation, retention and transition profession.

Bruner presented the educational session "Patience Required: Integrating Orientation, Transition and Retention" with Missy Wikle, director of first-year experience at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater.

Mustard presented the poster session "Family Engagement Beyond Orientation" and presented the educational session "First 40 Days at Fort Hays" as part of the regional innovative program highlights - transition session.

Mustard and Holly Weiss, Anthony, a second-year graduate student enrolled in the higher education student affairs master's program, presented the educational session "Reaching the Transition Summit Together."

Weiss presented the educational session "The Difficult Conversation" and presented the educational session "Transition and Retention: The Impact of Gender-Based Violence."

Jacob Patrick, Elizabeth, Colo., a second-year graduate student enrolled in the higher education student affairs master's program, presented the educational session "Planning a Purposeful Path: Mission Driven Programming" with Dr. ShaRhonda Maclin, dean of students at McPherson College, McPherson.

John Gettemeyer, St. Peters, Mo., a first-year graduate student enrolled in the higher education student affairs master's program, facilitated the educational orientation session on regional innovative program highlights.

Karen McCullough, assistant director of international student services, presented the pre-conference workshop "Rejuvenate and Elevate Your International Student Orientation Program" with Kasi Jones, senior assistant director of orientation at Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind.

Vince Bowhay, assistant director of the Memorial Union, presented the educational session "Appropriate Student Feedback and Involvement: Methods for Improving Persistence through First-Year Experience Programs."