Save the Date: OCDA 2021 Conference

Award Nominations are Open!

OCDA would like to recognize distinguished professionals in career development! Please read the descriptions below and nominate any or all within your network who apply! Winners will receive a $100 honorarium, a commemorative gift, free registration to and will be recognized at the OCDA Virtual Conference on Friday, June 4, 2021. Deadlines for nominations will be Friday, April 2^nd at 11:59pm.

The Outstanding Graduate Student Award

This award will be presented at the annual Ohio Career Development Association (OCDA) Conference in recognition of the wonderful contributions that graduate students are already making to their respective field.

Nominees must be a full-time student in Ohio, a masters or doctoral candidate, and in the field of career counseling, student affairs, college/student personnel or a related field.

To nominate a professional, please complete this form.

The Outstanding New Professional Award

This award will be presented annually at the Ohio Career Development Association (OCDA) Conference in recognition of an individual with less than five (5) years of full-time experience. This individual serves as a role model to students and professionals, demonstrates creativity/innovation in the field, and has great potential for continued success.

To nominate a professional, please complete this form.

The Bob Windle Leadership Award

This award is presented at the annual Ohio Career Development Association (OCDA) Conference in recognition of a true leader in a career field. The award is named in honor of Bob Windle, who won the award in 2011, for his exceptional contributions to OCDA and to career counseling, exploration, transition, and resilience.

The Bob Windle Leadership Award recognizes practicing career counselors, consultants, or teachers for outstanding performance. Nominees must have at least eight (8) years of service in career development or a related field; demonstrated quality of service (such as innovative programs, recognition by local organizations, publications, awards, etc.); and service to professional association(s) at the local, state and/or national levels.

To nominate a professional, please complete this form.

OCDA: New Logo!

Your votes are in. Thank you to everyone who helped us with choosing our new logo design. We are excited to reveal our new logo:

Meet Our New Board Members

We are excited to be bringing some new faces to our leadership team. Meet our new Professional Development Chair, Katy! Katy is currently a Career Services Advisor at Wright State University Lake Campus, where she helps undergraduate and graduate students as well as alumni find their career path by working with them one on one in advising appointments. With a background in Career Services, she has experience in developing, facilitating, and creating workshops and career fairs for students to ensure their academic and professional success. Additionally, Katy works closely with local employers and builds relationships with business partners so students have access to employment opportunities including full-time employment, internships, and co-ops. Katy received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Master’s Certificate in Marketing from the University of Cincinnati. Katy also received her Master of Science in College Student Affairs with a concentration in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern University.

Meet our Membership Engagement Chair, Steve! Steve is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor-Supervisor located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Steve started and gets to lead his own private practice named Restoring Hope Counseling and Coaching. He is also a certified speaker, trainer, and coach with the John Maxwell Team and serves as an Executive Director with them. Steve's current clinical interests are working with men of Christian faith who live with pornography and/or sexual addictions as well as integrating career and mental health counseling into clinical work. He also provides leadership and business coaching services to others who lead a private practice. Lastly, he is working towards his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Regent University.