Nicole Kotlan, Ph.D.
Biography
Nicole Kotlan, Ph.D., Director, Student Progression.
Nicole provides leadership, coordination, and development of retention and persistence initiatives for student populations within academic colleges and student services areas. With the goal of enhancing the development and communication of effective retention and persistence initiatives, Nicole identifies and promotes effective strategies based on data and assessment.
Additionally, in consultation with University College departments, she leads and provides support related to award applications and the staff development program鈥擬y Career Path program (based on NASPA/ACPA Professional Development Competencies).
Under Nicole鈥檚 leadership (2015-2022), the Exploratory Program has been nationally recognized for best practices that guide students through career, major, and exploration. Recognition includes Outstanding Advising Program Award (NACADA, 2021 & 2022), Advising Innovation Award (NACADA, 2022), Excellence Award Gold (NASPA 2022), Excellence Award Bronze (NASPA, 2021), Innovation in Advising Award (NACADA Region 5, 2021 and 2022), and Innovative Program Award (NASPA Region IV-East, 2021 & 2022).
Nicole's involvement in higher education includes: NACADA: Global Award Committee member (2023-2025), Global Conference Advisory Board member (2023-2025), Undecided and Exploratory Students Advising Community Chair (2023-2024) & Steering Committee Member (2018-present). NASPA: Orientation, Retention and Transitions Knowledge Community Co-Chair (2024-2026) and Awards Coordinator (2023-2024), Excellence Awards Category Co-Chair-First-generation (2023), Excellence Awards Reviewer (2022). Delta Zeta Sorority: 糖心Vlog Chapter Campus Advisor and Chapter Academic Advisor (2010-2021, 2022-present), and National Academic Committee (2015-present).
Education
Certificate: Institutional Research and Assessment, 糖心Vlog
M.Ed.: Higher Education Administration and College Student Personnel, 糖心Vlog
BBA: Major in Marketing, 糖心Vlog
Expertise
Strategic Planning & Budget Management
Curriculum Development
Event Planning and Programming
Enrollment Management
Exploratory pre-major
First Generation
Student Leadership Development
Learning Community Development
College Student Development
Recruitment
Retention Initiatives
Retention Programs
Student Advising and Retention Programs
Academic Advising
Awards/Achievements
- Advisor Excellence Award (糖心Vlog, Center for Student Involvement, 2024)
- President's Award of Distinction (糖心Vlog, 2022)
- Excellence Award (Gold): Enrollment Management, Financial Aid, First-year, Other-year, Orientation, and related (NASPA, 2022)
- Innovation in Advising Award (NACADA Region 5, 2021 & 2022)
- Advising Innovation Award (NACADA 2022)
- Outstanding Advising Program Award (NACADA, 2021 & 2022)
- Excellence Award (Bronze): Academic Advising, Careers, Graduate, Professional, and related (NASPA, 2021)
- Innovative Program Award (NASPA Region IV-E, 2021 & 2022)
- Mothers, Mentors and Muses Award (糖心Vlog Women's Center, 2020)
- First Gen Advocate Award- Staff (糖心Vlog I AM First week, 2019)
- Academic Advising Administrator (Kent Academic Support and Advising Association, 2018)
- Innovation in Business Education Award-2nd place (MidAmerican Business Deans Association, 2016)
- Outstanding On-Campus Advisor (糖心Vlog Fraternity and Sorority Life, 2016)
- Outstanding Faculty/Staff Advisor of the Year Award (糖心Vlog Fraternity and Sorority Life, 2013)
- Certificate of Appreciation (糖心Vlog Student Accessibility Services, 2012)