UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Dawn Nelson, office manager and assistant to the head of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) in the College of Health and Human Development, has been honored with the 2025 Award for Administrative Excellence.
The award, established in 1970, is given to a faculty or staff member whose performance, methods and achievements exemplify the highest standards of administrative excellence.
Nominators called Nelson “one of the very best” administrators on campus. She’s the administrative support manager for the department and works with graduate students serving on committees and special projects. Her duties include monitoring promotion and tenure, coordinating annual faculty activity reports, organizing departmental committee assignments, overseeing faculty recruitment, assisting with peer-teaching evaluations and leading many hiring efforts.
She’s been at Penn State for 38 years, serving in HDFS since 2016.
“One way Nelson shines is in her effort to promote departmental cohesion,” a nominator said. “I don’t know if she is even aware of it, but she works to connect all of us together. Through our relationship with her, she facilitates smooth meetings, coordinates committee functions and supports her staff. Although her role is a range of tasks, it’s her relational style that elevates her contributions into forming strong bonds that make doing our jobs much smoother and more enjoyable.”
In her role as human resources and office manager, Nelson supervises and evaluates staff. Nominators said she maintains close contact with staff, keeping close tabs on morale and workload.
“Clearly, the morale of our staff is important to her, and it is obvious to me that she is well-liked and respected by our staff,” a nominator said. “They view her as even-handed, fair, smart, sensitive to their needs and willing to go the extra mile for them when it is warranted. I’ve come to greatly appreciate her leadership, openness, and candor with me about staff needs, and when I have any questions about staff she is the first person with whom I consult. Her advice invariably helps me work more effectively with them.”
Additionally, Nelson volunteers her time on HDFS’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, including serving as co-chair. She is also involved in various other committees within the department.
“She represents the very best of Penn State, and we are a significantly better place because she is here,” a nominator said.