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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Olson Voted as SSC’s Candidate for NCAA Faculty Mentor Award
Nancy Olson
Nova Southeastern University faculty member Nancy Olson has been selected as the Sunshine State Conference’s candidate for the NCAA Division II 2015 Dr. Dave Pariser Faculty Mentor Award. Olson is a faculty member in the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business & Entrepreneurship, a member of NSU’s Athletic Advisory Council, and a part of the university’s Hall of Fame Committee.
The NCAA faculty mentor award honors a faculty member at a Division II institution who has demonstrated dedication, support and guidance to student-athletes and the institution’s athletics program as a faculty member. Olson was selected as the SSC’s candidate through a voting process conducted among SAAC representatives from each of the nine member institutions.
“Congratulations to Ms. Olson for receiving this prestigious recognition,” said SSC Commissioner Ed Pasque. “I also want to thank her for everything she has done to support the success of Sunshine State Conference student-athletes.”
Beyond her teaching duties, Olson coordinates volunteer opportunities for Sport and Recreation Management department at Nova Southeastern, which includes events like the Conine All-Star Golf Classic and Cliff Floyd Celebrity Bowling Tournament. These events drive charitable donations for the surrounding community while getting student-athletes involved in the event’s process.
Olson works continuously to secure professional internship opportunities for many of the student-athletes at NSU, while providing long lasting mentorship.
“She was fully engaged with everything I was doing and is always there for advice,” said volleyball student-athlete Candice Johnson.
In the classroom, Olson uses a real world approach to learning by asking students to participate in activities to run successful events which will raise money for local charities.
“There are so many other [students] that have had the opportunity to find jobs right out of school because of Professor Olson,” said Johnson. “One of her goals is to prepare her students for life after athletics and school. Without a doubt she exceeds that goal.”
In 2013, Olson received the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business Adjunct Faculty of the Year award.
Division II sets forth a strong commitment to prepare student-athletes to excel in their endeavors after their athletic careers have ended. In creating this award with the assistance and support of the Division II governance staff, the Division II Student-Athletics Advisory Committee (SAAC) firmly believes that the winner of this award should be an example of this philosophy. There is an expectation that the nominees for the award will have documented examples of the supports he or she provides to student-athletes both on and off the field/court of competition. This support can be provided in athletics, academics, life skills or other areas.
The Division II SAAC will evaluate each conference’s top selection and determine the winner. The winner will be announce during the Fall and awarded at the NCAA Convention in January 2016.