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—My Career Path program (based on NASPA/ACPA Professional Development Competencies).
Under Nicole’s 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: Award Committee member (2023-present), Global Conference Advisory Board member (2023-2025), Undecided and Exploratory Students Advising Community Chair (2023-2024) & Steering Committee Member (2018-present). NASPA: Excellence Awards Committee Co-Chair (2026-present), 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: Kent State University Chapter Campus Advisor and Chapter Academic Advisor (2010-2022-present), and National Academic Committee (2015-2026).
Education
Certificate: Institutional Research and Assessment, Kent State University
M.Ed.: Higher Education Administration and College Student Personnel, Kent State University
BBA: Major in Marketing, Kent State University
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
Artificial Intelligence
Publications
- Retention tools workshop series. In J. Tippets & E. Kirby (Eds.), ASCEND to higher retention rates: A collection of best practices and practical strategies from higher education experts for increasing student retention, completion, and student success V3
- Career Readiness Competencies among First-Generation Undecided Students and Their Parents in the United States. Journal of Global Education and Research, 9(2), 108-124.
Awards/Achievements
- Achoth Award (Delta Zeta Sorority, 2026)
- On-Campus Advisor of the Year (Kent State University Fraternity and Sorority Life, 2025)
- Advisor Excellence Award (Kent State University, Center for Student Involvement, 2024)
- President's Award of Distinction (Kent State University, 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 (Kent State University Women's Center, 2020)
- First Gen Advocate Award- Staff (Kent State University 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 (Kent State University Fraternity and Sorority Life, 2016)
- Outstanding Faculty/Staff Advisor of the Year Award (Kent State University Fraternity and Sorority Life, 2013)
- Certificate of Appreciation (Kent State University Student Accessibility Services, 2012)
