Bellevue’s Dr. Susan Alford Named First Recipient of the Anne E. Nelson Professorship Award
Bellevue University established the Anne E. Nelson Professorship Award in Teaching Education with a gift from Board Member John P. Nelson. The university named Dr. Susan Alford, Professor and Program Director of Education, as the first recipient. The award recognizes contributions to teacher education and supports work in digital technologies and teaching methods.
Key Facts
- Bellevue University established the Anne E. Nelson Professorship Award in Teaching Education.
- The award honors Anne (Tucker) Nelson.
- Dr. Susan Alford is the first recipient.
- Recipients use funds to support digital technologies and teaching methods in K-12 teacher preparation.
- Dr. Alford has 30 years of experience in teaching and administration.
The University Establishes the Professorship to Honor Anne E. Nelson
With a generous gift from longtime friend and Bellevue University Board Member, John P. Nelson, Bellevue University has established the Anne E. Nelson Professorship Award in Teaching Education to honor faculty and staff in the University’s Teacher Education department and has named Dr. Susan Alford, Professor and Program Director of Education, as the inaugural recipient.
The award, which includes recognition and a stipend, was created to honor the memory of Nelson’s wife, Anne (Tucker) Nelson, a full-time educator, community servant, and advocate for education.
Anne taught high school English and French at Minnetonka High School in Minnesota and Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She was engaged in community leadership and philanthropy until her passing in 2022 and played a key role in establishing the Nelson Family Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award, which honors outstanding local teachers and counselors. This professorship celebrates her lifelong commitment to education, educators, students, and the broader community.
Award recipients will use the funds to support innovative use of digital technologies and advanced pedagogies to prepare and equip K-12 teachers as learning facilitators who can engage and motivate students to succeed academically.
Dr. Susan Alford Receives First Award
Dr. Susan Alford has 30 years of experience in teaching and administration. She holds an undergraduate degree in Biology, a graduate degree in Special Education, and a Doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction with an English as a Second Language specialization. She has served as Program Director of the Bellevue Teacher Education program since 2021.
“Education is changing quickly, and preparing pre-service teachers must keep up. Our goal is to equip them to teach every child, in every classroom, for a changing world,” said Dr. Alford. “This endowment will allow us to study schools worldwide and bring those strategies into our classrooms.”
One example of Dr. Alford’s innovation is her incorporation of the AV1 robot into Bellevue classrooms. The AV1 robot connects students who cannot be in the classroom more closely to the learning experience.
Founded in 1966, Bellevue University is a non-profit university with more than 70,000 graduates worldwide. The University is a recognized national leader in preparing students for lifelong success with career-relevant knowledge and skills, while making college affordable. Routinely ranked among the nation’s top military and accessible institutions, the University serves residential students at its main campus in Bellevue, Nebraska, and everywhere online with more than 85 degree programs uniquely designed for working adults. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org).