2024 President’s Award for Excellence in Human Relations (Unclassified)

Heath Marker, assistant director of new student orientation

Heath Marker, assistant director of new student orientation at Wright State University, received a 2024 President’s Award for Excellence in Human Relations for his dedication to the student experience and his ability to innovate improvements for every program he builds or changes.

Marker’s colleagues describe him as a dynamic, innovative and hard-working person. He has served Wright State in several capacities and has improved multiple programs that bring a better experience for new and returning students.

Erin Compaleo, assistant director of outdoor recreation, said she has seen Marker’s remarkable abilities over the last several years.

“I have seen him transition to a new role, make changes, and adapt to meet the needs of the students he serves and collaborate with campus partners while fostering meaningful relationships,” she said.

Marker has also assisted with the Student Affairs Staff Development Committee, where he helped lead the Student Affairs Summer Olympics, which helps boost morale and teamwork. Even after he joined the Division of Enrollment Management, he continued collaborating with his coworkers to organize the Student Affairs Summer Olympics.

Eight weeks before the first orientation session of the summer of 2023, Marker transitioned to the role of assistant director for new student orientation. He worked diligently and efficiently to create new job descriptions, hire and train staff, and collaborate across campus to organize speakers, dining, spaces for sessions and more.

In 2024, Marker designed and implemented new orientation processes for spring and summer orientation programs, which led transfer and new students through a brief orientation before the first week of classes.

While building these new orientation processes, Heath worked with Undergraduate Admissions to build new programs in Slate, which tracks and develops more consistent communication with incoming students.

Marker also worked with campus partners, reviewed student and guest feedback, and studied national survey trends and data to build a new orientation program for students enrolling in fall 2024.

 “Marker’s commitment to collecting insight from campus partners, students and administration has helped welcome a new class of students in a positive and productive way,” Compaleo said. “His passion for adapting to meet students where they are shows a true dedication to his role and love for Wright State.”