Orientation Professionals Institute (OPI)

The Orientation Professionals Institute is a three-day training program that takes place just prior to the NODA annual conference each year. It is designed for professional staff members who have less than two years of experience in orientation and transition services—either new professionals or those with experience in higher education but who recently acquired orientation as part of their job. The institute connects these participants with experienced professionals in the field and provides valuable training that participants can apply on their own campuses.

Institute features

  • The Institute offers a team of six expert faculty who have held leadership positions within NODA and who will bring together a wide variety of orientation and administrative experiences. Regardless of the type of institution you represent, you will have ample opportunity to interact with faculty and other participants who share common interests and challenges.
  • Besides all of the knowledge gained during the program, participants will also leave with a binder full of handouts and practical information to use when returning to their campuses.
  • Participants will have an opportunity to interact with members of the NODA leadership and discover ways to get involved in the association.
  • Registration is limited to 65 participants to ensure active participation and individual attention. (Note: Participants must be professional staff members.)
  • Held in conjunction with the NODA annual conference which participants are encouraged to attend to learn more about orientation, transition, and retention.

Institute topics

  • Building the foundation for an orientation programming model
  • Learning orientation programming ideas for first-year students, transfer students, parents, family members and adult/returning students
  • Recruiting, selecting, training, supervising and evaluating staff
  • Designing and managing budgets
  • Building collaborative partnerships on campus
  • Incorporating issues of diversity in orientation programs and training
  • Using standards in the assessment and evaluation of orientation
  • Managing stress and avoiding burnout
  • Learning about professional development opportunities in NODA

2007 OPI sample evaluation comments

  • The faculty was amazing. I really think if I ever needed a sounding board to talk to I cold utilize them or others from the institute.
  • Thank you! This experience has been extremely helpful and I look forward to returning to my campus with new ideas.
  • Our faculty are amazing. I just thought the whole time, “I want to be like all of them.” You are all tremendous role models and inspire us to do great things on our campus and field of orientation.
  • OPI was fabulous. It went above and beyond any expectations I had. I met some knowledgeable and friendly peers whom I know I will keep in touch with. No kind of professional development opportunities offered on my campus could ever compare to what I learned here. Great job!

Registration

REGISTRATION FOR OPI IS NOW CLOSED - THE INSTITUTE IS FULL

To register for the Institute, send an e-mail to Christine Timmerman, OPI Coordinator, at Christine.M.Timmerman@lonestar.edu and include your name, title, campus address, phone number, fax number, and the number of months/years you have worked as a professional in orientation and transitions programs. If there is space available, you will receive a confirmation number securing you a spot in the Institute. The cost of the institute is $200 which covers one continental breakfast, one lunch, one dinner, and a binder with all the program materials. Because NODA is supplementing the cost of this program, all institute participants must be NODA members. You can sign up to be a NODA member as part of the conference/OPI registration. NOTE: Space for OPI tends to fill up by August so please register early if possible.