The goal of the National Organization for Student Success (NOSS) is to assist higher education professionals in making a positive difference in the lives of students.
NOSS: OH Mission Statement: As a state chapter we are committed to:
Providing students the scaffolding necessary to achieve college-level success and to become lifelong learners
Providing members opportunities for continuing professional development and networking
Providing the public with information about the needs and successes of developmental students and educators
Membership Benefits of Joining NOSS: OH...
Annual Conference
The annual conference is the crown jewel of our organization. Held in either October or November, our annual conference features world-renowned keynote speakers and a robust amount of guest presenters. We are proud to offer hybrid options for our conference so that you may participate, regardless of your location.
Monthly Newsletters
Delivered to your inbox as well as archived on our site, members are kept up to date with our monthly newsletter. Pertinent organization information as well as member spotlights and achievements in addition to professional development opportunities are relayed through our newsletter
First Friday Chats
On the 1st Friday of every month, members have the opportunity to engage in professional development. Our First Friday Chat series features special guests lecturing on various topics pertaining to higher education. Sessions are recorded and archived for viewing at a later date if you cannot attend.
Fourth Friday Roundtable Discussions
Connect and network with peers and colleagues as you discuss relevant topics in higher education. Informal in nature, this is an opportunity to learn what your colleagues are doing at their institution. Sessions are occasionally recorded.
Quarterly Book Club
Join board members Stacey Souther and Ritu Sharma as they lead our members in robust discussion on selected titles. Recorded and archived for viewing at a later date.
Thoughtful Thursday
On the 3rd Thursday of every month, members have the opportunity to engage in discussion regarding their mental health and wellbeing as it pertains to all areas of life.
A brief overview of our membership...
Institution Type
All higher education professionals are welcome to join NOSS: OH regardless of institution type.
Below are the institutions that NOSS: OH members hail from
Professional Division Breakdown
NOSS: OH invites all divisions of higher education professionals to join our ranks. We look forward to growing our student service membership demographic.
Faculty by department
NOSS: OH welcomes all faculty from all disciplines and backgrounds.
Meet the Executive Board
Dr. James Predovich, President
James is currently the course coordinator for FYEX and Music at North Central State College and is a Doctoral candidate at the University of Cincinnati College- Conservatory of Music where he studies with Gillian Benet Sella, formerly of the Israel Philharmonic. James has served as a practitioner for the 12th World Harp Congress in Sydney Australia and is currently the piano and harp adjudicator for the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra Young Musician’s Program. James has presented extensively with NOSS: Ohio, and most recently, at Heartland CRLA, TxNCLCA, Bucks County Community College Faculty of the Future, and OCLCA. James is a 5-time recipient of the Canvas Artist Award in addition to receiving the Golden Mic award in 2020. Most recently James earned his credential in Effective Online Instruction from ACUE. James is Principal harpist for the Central Ohio Symphony and Perrysburg Symphony and is Acting Principal for the Lima Symphony. He also plays regularly with Mansfield, Springfield, and Westerville Symphonies.
Kim Ciroli, Member-at-large
Kimberly Ciroli is an Associate Professor of Instruction of Early Childhood and Elementary Education at Ohio University Eastern. Ms. Ciroli was trained in and inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to Early Childhood education. Ms. Ciroli specializes in Elementary Reading, Special Education, and developmentally appropriate practice. Her work focuses on integrating best practice into the public-school setting and putting theory into practice. Her research interests include relationship building with remote classrooms and well as how co-teaching improves outcomes for teacher candidates and P-12 learners. Ms. Ciroli obtained a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in Elementary Education, an endorsement from Ohio State University in Early Education of the Handicapped, and a master’s degree in Elementary Reading.
Carter Jastram, Treasurer
Carter Jastram holds a Master’s in Educational Theory and Practice (Mathematics) and has worked at Columbus State Community College since 1992, where he taught various mathematics classes and tutors in the Math Skills Learning Center. He has been an OADE member since 1992, served as Membership Coordinator from 2000-2019, and Treasurer from November 2006. Carter is a member of the Celtic Irish band group Mad Maudlin and performs frequently at the Dublin Irish Festival.
Ritu Sharma, Member-at-large
Ritu Sharma, Ph.D., has been a decorated educator for thirty years. She has taught in various countries. She was a valedictorian during M.A. Through her education and work experience, she has integrated technology skills and has developed useful teaching strategies to accelerate the understanding of the students and to boost the results. She has received various teaching (online and onsite) excellence awards. Moreover, she was nominated as the Top Ten Best Online Professors in the USA in 2012. Through her education and work experience, she has integrated technology skills in developing effective pedagogical and andragogical strategies to accelerate the retention of the at-risk students and to enhance their academic progress by positively impacting them. She is working on her forthcoming book named Quest for Self. Ritu is an active member of Lakeland Community College’s professional development committee and adjunct advisory committee in addition to her full-time adjunct duties at Purdue Global University where she teaches English.
Stacey Souther, Recorder
Stacey S. Souther is professor of psychology at the Eastern Campus of Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). Professor Souther earned her masters degree in developmental psychology at The University of Toledo and undergraduate degrees in biology and psychology from Heidelberg University. She has been teaching psychology at Tri-C since 2004, having previously taught at Heidelberg University, University of Toledo, and Owens Community College. Her areas of expertise are in cognitive development in infants and children, specifically language and perceptual skills. Stacey currently serves as Academic Professional Development Faculty Liaison at Tri-C, as well as the faculty development coordinator at the Eastern Campus. She is an ambassador and conference reviewer for the Lilly Conferences on College and University Teaching, co-chair for the 2021 Ohio Association of Two-Year Colleges Conference and belongs to the Society for the Teaching of Psychology, a division of the American Psychological Association.