The National Orientation Directors Association (NODA) named two New Mexico State University students as its Undergraduate and Graduate Outstanding Student Leaders of 2024 at its Regional Conference on March 16. The Regional Conference took place in St. George, Utah and included colleges from Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.

The Outstanding Student Leadership Award was created to give special recognition to the students who serve as the backbone of campus orientation programs, letting their creativity and enthusiasm guide the path to success.

NMSU senior Nevaeh Smith is an Undergraduate Student Ambassador double-majoring in history and anthropology with a focus in culture and language.

“Earning the Outstanding Undergraduate Award was an unexpected, but well appreciated, surprise,” Smith said. “Learning that my team appreciates and supports me to the point of nominating me for this kind of award makes the hard work I’ve put into NMSU’s orientation program worth it.”

NMSU master’s student in computer science Ishtiaq Ahmed explained why serving as a Graduate Family Ambassador and winning the Outstanding Graduate Award demonstrates his collaboration skills.

“To me, receiving this award is truly significant because it shows that my office believes in me and trusts me to do important work,” Ahmed said. “This award represents more than a personal achievement; it reflects the collaborative and supportive environment at NMSU, which helps student leaders like us to grow and succeed.”

Since 1977, it has been NODA’s mission to enhance and elevate orientation, transition and retention practices in higher education that lead to professional development and leadership opportunities for undergraduate and graduate student leaders.

“As a Graduate Family Ambassador, I've been involved in activities like organizing events, training and mentoring new orientation leaders and speaking at orientations, all of which have contributed to my leadership development,” Ahmed continued.

NODA is an international organization gathering professional administrators, students and faculty from around the world to cultivate a community of diverse voices and build teamwork across college campuses.

“Being able to work on such a diverse team has given me more insight to cultures that I don’t have a personal connection to,” said Smith, who would like to someday become a professional staff member in the NODA field. “I’m able to hold myself to NMSU’s core values every day because of that.”

To learn more about NODA and its programs, visit www.nodaweb.org . Become an orientation leader at NMSU and meet the team by visiting https://awo.nmsu.edu /.

The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-students-win-2024-regional-outstanding-leadership-awards/s/b49a1eca-0fb6-44e3-94ca-696916344e04