Education Faculty Member Named 2019-20 Outstanding Advisor

Associate Professor Joanne Van Boxtel, Department of Education, has been selected to receive the 2019-2020 Outstanding Advisor Award for her dedication to supporting student success.

Each year, Cal Poly Pomona chooses one faculty member from each college, one staff member from Academic Affairs, and one staff member from Student Affairs to be recognized with the Outstanding Advisor Award. 

The award goes to individuals who support student success by seeking innovative ways to resolve student issues; encouraging students to establish goals and objectives; and helping students find opportunities to grow professionally. The recipient of the award receives a $50 gift card, a book and a framed certificate.

"I am humbled and honored by such a meaningful award,” said Van Boxtel. "It has been a joy and a privilege to help train the next generation of special education teachers to advance inclusive education in their schools and communities. Being formally recognized for supporting student success will be a highlight of my career at Cal Poly Pomona."

Van Boxtel, an advocate for inclusive education, has over 14 years of experience in special education. Prior to CPP, she served as the special education curriculum leader and professional development specialist at Long Beach Unified School District. She has presented both nationally and internationally on various disability topics and inclusive practices and she has provided training to teachers and specialists on inclusive education in Romania and El Salvador.

Van Boxtel has helped secure nearly $1.5 million in educational grants over the past three years to offer full tuition scholarships and residency stipends to students who want to become special educators.  

She is the project lead for a special education teacher residency program with Upland Unified School District, and co-director of Project SEEDS (Special Educators of Excellence in Diverse Settings).  She was the project director for CPP’s Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) from 2017-2019.

“Everyone in our college respects and admires Dr. Van Boxtel’s great work,” said CEIS Dean Jeff Passe. “We are all thrilled to see her selected as our Outstanding Advisor.”  

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Outstanding Advisor Awards ceremony has been postponed. The recipients will be recognized at a later date. For more information, visit https://www.cpp.edu/outstandadvisor/index.shtml.