Alison Castellano has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Teaching Excellence Award at Western New England University. Winners of the Teaching Excellence Award are nominated by students, faculty, alumni, and administrators for outstanding contributions as educators and advisors.
Castellano is a Professional Educator of Psychology with over 14 years of service to the University. She is an alumna of the institution, receiving her B.A. in Psychology and Elementary Education in 2003. She attended graduate school at Springfield College and in 2005 received her Master of Education in Student Affairs Administration.
Her dedication to her students and colleagues is evident. "Alison is an individual whose goals are always wrapped around what is best for her students and colleagues," said one of her nominators. "She is devoted to her work and uses interactive and innovative methods of teaching to ensure that her material is digestible and deliberate."
Castellano worked in multiple supervisory roles within Residence Life for 10 years before transitioning back to the classroom. She teaches a variety of courses, including Intro to Psychology, Sports Psychology, Adolescent Development, and Forensic Psychology.
"Alison Castellano is the epitome of an amazing and inspirational professor, role model, and person," expressed another nominator. "Getting to learn from her and witness the amazing things she does inside and outside of the classroom is an honor. It is not just her actions that leave all her students coming back; it is the passion and care she puts into everything she does."
In addition to her work in the classroom, Alison serves as an advisor for the Psychology Club, a student staff supervisor, a member of the Title IX Committee, and is actively involved in several alumni association committees – including President for the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Reflecting on Castellano's impact, another student expressed, "Alison is not just my professor, but she is my hero. What defines a hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities."
Students and colleagues alike attest to Castellano's exceptional qualities beyond the academic realm. "There is simply no end to the positive things I could say about her," shared a student. "She has supported me through my academic worries as well as personal issues as if she were truly my friend, and not only my professor."
Currently, Alison is wrapping up her Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership and Organizational Studies at Bay Path University. She is exploring areas of academic advising through her dissertation work, and her expected graduation is summer 2024.
A resident of Hampden, Mass., Castellano is a youth soccer coach and has been actively involved in various community endeavors. She has received the Certificate of Excellence and Appreciation from the Classes of 2017, 2019, and 2021, and is a former recipient of the WNE Alumni Association Raymond Meyers Award.
The Teaching Excellence Award at Western New England University recognizes faculty members who excel in teaching, innovation, and mentorship. A committee, including faculty, alumni, and students, reviews nominations and selects finalists based on their impact on campus teaching. The wider community then provides support for these finalists, leading to the ultimate selection of the award recipient. The honored educator is presented with the award at the University's Commencement ceremony.
This year's Teaching Excellence Award committee includes faculty members Hillary Bucs, Mike Rust, and Tim Vercellotti; students Patrick Riley, Abdul Azeem Chaudhry, Helen Gillespy; and alumni Crystal Barnes, Kelly Rich, and Andrew Bellemare.
