Distinguished Faculty Advising Award

Dawn Kelsey

Communication Studies

Dawn Kelsey seemed to be the natural choice to become Communication Studies’ undergraduate advisor in 2002 for a lot of good reasons, not the least of which was her familiarity with K-16 education and the inadequacy of advising throughout the educational system. Additionally, Kelsey is a product of CSULB where she earned both her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1997 and her Master of Arts in 2000.

Kelsey is one of the few advising planners advising on a daily basis, supporting students in their individual endeavors. Whether students need internships (she will call friends in order to place them in professional work settings), academic advice (she listens to their needs and interests first, then guides them toward smart curricular choices), career information (she provides students with a variety of good ideas), or social support (she will sit, give her undivided attention, connect and provide a friendly space long after her colleagues have gone home), she is accessible and approachable.

Kelsey is an active member of the department’s busy Curriculum Committee and is the go-to person for any questions about the effects of proposed curriculum revision on the department’s majors and students’ progress toward graduation.

Kelsey’s experience is unique and clearly invaluable. She served for two years as a graduate teaching associate at CSULB before teaching part time in 2001 and full time in 2007. Kelsey not only fulfills service responsibilities in the department, she also owns a publishing company and writes children’s books (Flippy & Friends) with her husband.