Outstanding Faculty Advisor of the Year Award
2023-2024 Award Winner
Dr. Leslie Nelson, 2023-2024 Award Winner
Associate Professor, Communication Studies
Dr. Leslie Nelson is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she has been a faculty member since 2018. Dr. Nelson earned her B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Interpersonal and Family Communication from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Dr. Nelson's commitment to student growth and success is clearly articulated in her advising philosophy. According to Dr. Nelson, her approach to advising focuses on three commitments: to meet students where they are and enthusiastically support their personal and professional goals, to balance high expectations with warmth and compassion, and to empower students to be creative and critical thinkers who are passionate about using their communication skills for positive social change.
Since coming to Cal Poly, Dr. Nelson has received many awards for student success, teaching, and mentoring. She can now add the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award recipient for 2023-24!
2024-2025 Nominations are now Closed.
The Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award, developed by the Academic Advising Council, recognizes a faculty member who has had a positive influence on students through academic advising. The award recipient will receive a $2,000 cash stipend and will be recognized by the President at Fall Conference. One faculty member is recognized annually.
Guidelines for submitting a nomination:
- Faculty, staff, and current students are eligible to nominate faculty for this award.
- At least one submission must come from a current student.
- No self-nominations will be accepted.
- Individual Submissions only. If more than one person would like to nominate a faculty member, each person must submit separate nominations.
- Submissions must include a statement of 300 words or less describing the nominee’s academic advising services, activities and interactions, as distinct from the nominee’s teaching responsibilities.
- Previous awardees are not eligible.
- Any questions should be directed to Denise Lazar.