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nicole kotlan

Nicole Kotlan, Ph.D.

Division of Enrollment Management
Director
Campus:
Kent
Contact Information
Email:
nkotlan@kent.edu
Phone:
(330) 672-0949

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: 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: Kent State University Chapter Campus Advisor and Chapter Academic Advisor (2010-2021, 2022-present), and National Academic Committee (2015-present).

Education

Ph.D.: Educational Administration - Higher 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

Assessment
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 (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)

News Stories

  • NATIONAL COMMITTEE RECOGNIZES FLASH CONNECTIONS EXEMPLARY WORK WITH EXPLORATORY STUDENTS
  • KENT STATE PRESIDENT TODD DIACON ANNOUNCES ANNUAL FACULTY, STAFF AWARD RECIPIENTS
  • BLUEPRINT LEADS TO STUDENT SUCCESS AT KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
  • KENT STATE’S EXPLORATORY PROGRAM RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION
  • KENT STATE UNIVERSITY PROPOSAL AWARDED SECOND PLACE BY THE MIDAMERICAN BUSINESS DEANS ASSOCIATION
  • COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION’S DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMS WINS GREEK AWARD

Mailing Address

800 E. Summit St.
Kent, OH 44242

Contact Us
  • 330-672-3000
  • info@kent.edu

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