Tyler Stoldt Receives Nomination for NASPA Region I Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Chief Student Affairs Officer

CALAIS, ME – Washington County Community College (WCCC) is proud to announce that Tyler Stoldt, Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Services, was nominated for the distinguished NASPA Region I Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Chief Student Affairs Officer. While Stoldt was not selected as the final award recipient, his nomination is a testament to his exceptional leadership, dedication to student success, and lasting contributions to higher education.

Since joining WCCC in 2021, Stoldt has spearheaded initiatives that have transformed the student experience. Under his leadership, WCCC achieved record-breaking enrollment for two consecutive fall semesters. His efforts to streamline and simplify the admissions process included creating the New Student Success Specialist position, which provides students with a dedicated point of contact throughout the onboarding process. By accelerating the acceptance process to just two business days, he ensured that students felt an immediate sense of belonging at WCCC. His efforts also led to a partnership with EdSights, an AI-based text communication platform that enables proactive outreach and early intervention for students in need.

Stoldt’s commitment to campus safety has resulted in significant improvements in security infrastructure and processes. He played a key role in implementing an updated emergency notification system, allowing for real-time alerts to students, faculty, and staff. He also facilitated WCCC’s membership in the National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment (NABITA), providing access to advanced tools for assessing and responding to behavioral threats. Recognizing the need for a dedicated role focused on safety, Stoldt was instrumental in the creation of a new Director of Campus Safety position, further reinforcing WCCC’s commitment to student safety and well-being.

Beyond his impact at WCCC, Stoldt is a leader within the Maine Community College System. He actively participates in the Maine Community College System Deans of Students affinity group, sharing innovative practices and supporting other institutions through his expertise in Behavioral Intervention Teams (BIT), student conduct, and crisis management. His professional certifications include CLERY Compliance, Security/FEMA Training, and a Graduate Certificate in Leadership of Title IX, all of which demonstrate his comprehensive understanding of student safety, compliance, and equity issues.

In addition to his work as a practitioner, Stoldt is pursuing his Ed.D. in Adult Learning and Community College Leadership at Kansas State University. His dissertation focuses on students’ perceptions of mental health services at Maine’s community colleges, a topic that underscores his commitment to student well-being and his drive to improve support services at WCCC and beyond.

Stoldt’s nomination was supported by key higher education leaders, including Benjamin Bucklin, Student Services Coordinator at the University of Maine at Augusta; Jennifer Laney at the Maine Community College System; Nicholas Hamel at Central Maine Community College; and Nichole Cote, Associate Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Services at WCCC. Their letters of support emphasized his collaborative leadership, student-focused approach, and significant contributions to student affairs. Jennifer Laney described him as “a phenomenal leader” and credited him with leading numerous advancements at WCCC.

WCCC President Susan Mingo echoed these sentiments, stating, “Dean Stoldt is definitely deserving of such recognition and the WCCC campus could not have grown and been as innovative as an institution without his leadership”.

Nicholas Hamel, Vice President and Dean of Student Services at Central Maine Community College, also praised Stoldt’s leadership, noting, “Tyler’s leadership is evident through his expertise in areas such as Behavioral Intervention Teams, student discipline and conduct, and emergency preparedness and response, for which he is often consulted by his peers, including myself. A strong student-focus is reflected in his efforts to reinvigorate athletics at WCCC and in implementing a college-wide chatbot to better serve students.”

While Tyler Stoldt was not selected as the final recipient of the NASPA Region I Scott Goodnight Award, his nomination alone reflects his extraordinary impact on WCCC and the Maine Community College System. His ongoing commitment to student success, campus safety, and educational excellence will continue to drive innovation and growth at WCCC.