The Orientation Professionals Institute (OPI) serves new professionals and emerging leaders in the field of orientation, transition, and retention by providing a comprehensive learning experience with a focus on orientation. The Institute fosters an environment conducive to learning, networking, ideating, reflecting, and furthering dialogue on various aspects of orientation in higher education.
OPI provides:
- Foundational knowledge on orientation programs
- Facilitated dialogue focused on a variety of topics, current trends, and best practices in orientation programs
- Tools and resources for professionals new to working with orientation programs
- Opportunities to build a network of orientation professionals working in a variety of environments
- A collaborative environment focused on learning from experienced professionals and emerging leaders in the field
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- Participants will be able to discuss best practices and innovative ideas for a comprehensive orientation program.
- Participants will develop foundational skills related to networking and building relationships.
- Participants will be able to articulate the importance of using evaluation and assessment measures to make evidence-based decisions within OTR initiatives.
- Participants will be able to recall core competencies associated with NODA.
- Participants will develop strategies related to management and supervision.
- Participants will be able to identify the role campus politics and current events play in orientation programs.
- Participants will be knowledgeable of additional resources related to cultivating a diverse, equitable and inclusive orientation program.
Visit our website to learn more about the institute’s curriculum and to view this year’s faculty.
INTENDED AUDIENCE:
OPI is designed to serve new full-time professional staff who are responsible for orientation programming and who possess fewer than 4 years of total professional experience. The institute is not open to graduate or undergraduate students.
We recognize that many professionals have significant professional experience in higher education and may have recently become responsible for orientation programs on their campus, but the primary audience for OPI is emerging professionals in the field of orientation. If you have more than four years of professional experience in higher education and are still interested in attending OPI, please reach out to NODA Director of Education, Lisa Dela Cruz (delac128@umn.edu) to discuss if this is the right educational opportunity for you.
PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS:
- OPI is a professional institute, and participants are expected to attend and participate in all sessions.
- To foster a positive learning experience, participants should actively contribute to creating a safe and professional space, respect themselves and others, engage in collaborative learning, commit to inclusion, and remain open-minded.
- OPI provides space for large and small group presentations and discussions. As such, participants should be mindful of sharing the space equally with other participants. This includes turn-taking in conversation, keeping side conversations to a minimum, and recognizing there will not be time for individualized coaching from Institute faculty.
- We encourage participants to network and build meaningful professional relationships with Institute participants and faculty.
- As the field of OTR is a well-connected network, we want to remind participants to be mindful of how they discuss their challenges at their current institutions or with colleagues. Professionalism and respect are essential.
2025 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
*Please note that this schedule is tentative. A detailed schedule with session descriptions and locations will be released closer to the institute date.
Location: Hyatt Regency San Francisco, 5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, California 94111 United States
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
- 8:00 – 9:00 am: OPI Registration Check in
- 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Morning Presentations and Breakouts
- 12:00 – 1:00 pm: Networking Lunch (provided)
- 1:00 – 5:00 pm: Afternoon Presentations and Breakouts
Thursday, October 23, 2025
- 8:45 am – 12:00 pm: Morning Presentations and Breakouts
- 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm: Lunch (on your own)
- 1:30 – 5:30 pm: Afternoon Presentations and Breakouts
- 6:00 pm: Networking Dinner (provided)
Friday, October 24, 2025
- 8:30 am – noon: Presentations, Breakouts, and Closing
MEET THE FACULTY:
- Shea Kidd Brown (OPI Lead Faculty), Vice President for Campus Life at Wake Forest University
- Chrissy Daniel, Associate Director of Orientation, Transition and Parent Programs at University at Buffalo
- Virginia Johnson, Associate Director of Orientation Programs at Purdue University
- Shelton Lewis, Senior Director of Admissions, South University
- Abbey Mikesell, Director of Undergraduate Advising, Purdue University at Mitch Daniels School of Business
- Carolina Nutt, Senior Director of Student Success – COMPASS Student Experience at University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus
- Chris Shemanski, Director of the First-Year Experience at Stevens Institute of Technology
- Quincy Spencer, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement, University of Arkansas
REGISTRATION RATES AND DEADLINES
Member Rates:
- Member early bird: $450 (ends September 4, 2025)
- Member regular: $550(ends September 29, 2025)
- Member late: $690 (ends October 16, 2025)
Non-member Rates:
- Non-member early bird: $630 (ends September 4, 2025)
- Non-member regular: $730 (ends September 29, 2025)
- Non-member late: $870 (ends October 16, 2025)
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Please review NODA's cancellation policy prior to registering for this institute.
NODA EXCELLENCE FUND:
Scholarships for OPI and other NODA educational opportunities are available through the NODA Excellence Fund.