Recent graduate honored as Outstanding Graduate Assistant

The Association for Orientation Transition and Retention in Higher Education (NODA) recently honored Ohio University alumnus Brandon Dunford with the Region VII Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership Award.

Dunford earned his master’s degree in College Student Personnel from the Patton College of Education and served for two years as a graduate assistant for undergraduate orientation programs. He also served as a live-in fraternity house manager, a member of the University Hearing Board, and was involved with the Cat’s Cupboard Food Pantry.

OHIO Director of Undergraduate Orientation Programs Vincent Prior praised Dunford for his contributions, noting that he rose to the challenges of organizational change and leadership transitions, playing a pivotal role in recruiting, hiring, and training orientation leaders.

“Brandon is hard-working and reliable, thinks strategically to solve problems, and genuinely cares about the people he works with,” said Prior. “He is dedicated to the field of higher education and supporting students holistically. He is truly deserving of this award given his commitment to the students we serve, and his time spent going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the success of our orientation programs.”    

Dunford said being selected for this award means a lot to him.

“I had the privilege to work with Bobcat Student Orientation (BSO) for the past two years, and we were able to welcome thousands of students and their family members and guests to campus during that time,” he said. “I view this award as an affirmation that my contributions to BSO are valued and made a positive difference to the program and, hopefully, to the students who have gone through it too.”

After earning his master’s degree, Dunford began a new position as coordinator of new student and family programs at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia.