![\"Ashley](\"https:\/\/www.muw.edu\/womenscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2023\/03\/J5A9940-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nChisolm also believes it is crucial to assist and support students in part because she remembers how her professors at The W helped her graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies and a minor in Spanish in 2010. She received her Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College of Law in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know firsthand how important it is to build rapport with students because I was given excellent mentorship opportunities from Legal Studies faculty during my time at The W,\u201d said Chisolm, who has been a faculty member at The W since the fall of 2013. \u201cAs a faculty member, I want students to know I am rooting for them and their successes just as the Legal Studies faculty supported me as an undergraduate student.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chisolm\u2019s willingness to support her students is a key reason why she recently was named The W\u2019s Faculty Member of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The award was announced at graduation, includes a $1,000 grant from the Alumni Association. It honors faculty members who exhibit excellence in teaching, advising and professional activities \u2014 in particular, those who go beyond all expectations to support The W\u2019s students and academic programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt meant so much to me that several students and a colleague thought enough of me to nominate me,\u201d said Chisolm, who is from Meridian. \u201cI never expected to receive such an honor, so I was surprised and overjoyed to be recognized as the MUWAA\/Mortarboard 2022 Faculty Member of the Year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sixty-seven students and faculty members submitted nominations that resulted in six nominees. To appear on the ballot, nominees must be nominated by three currently enrolled, full-time students and at least one other full-time, tenured\/tenure-track faculty member. Full-time, tenured\/tenure-track faculty then vote to select the award-winner from among those nominated. Only full-time tenured\/tenure-track W faculty members are eligible to receive the award. Faculty selected in the previous decade are not eligible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
William Balestrino, Christopher Marshall and Nicole Rensink nominated Chisolm for the award. Even though the students are pursuing different majors, they agree Chisolm is always looking out for the best interests of her students, the Legal Studies program and The W.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know from personal experience she has always been a phone call away, and she has helped not only advise me through my undergrad experience, but also going into my graduate experience and navigating the early stages of law school,\u201d Balestrino said. \u201cShe always has a positive demeanor, and brings an energy that can turn an 8 a.m. class into a party. Leaving The W, I know she will be there for me not only as a former adviser but as a colleague.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marshall said Chisolm always has been an \u201camazing\u201d teacher, and that he has had her as a professor in mock trial for the past three years. He said Chisolm is open to talk to students and to help them whenever they need it, whether it be as an advocate or as someone who will listen to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rensink said Chisolm has supported her and helped her fianc\u00e9 prepare for his Honors project and for Law School. She said Chisolm is a hard worker and determined for all of her students to succeed in everything they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe is quirky and sassy, everything to love about a professor,\u201d Rensink said. \u201cWhat is a professor without a little sass added to it? I have never once seen Ms. Chisolm be negative, and that is how I aspire to be in the future. This is my first semester taking one of her classes, but even then she\u2019s never shied away from helping me even though I am not a Legal Studies student.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chisolm said her sense of connection to The W and its amazing faculty motivates her want to work at such a special place. She remembers walking into Rent Auditorium during her commencement ceremony and spotting her mentor and shouting, \u201cI got accepted into law school!\u201d before continuing into the auditorium. Chisolm said she enjoys serving her students and sharing in their enthusiasm when they realize their dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have the privilege of witnessing the excitement on students\u2019 faces when they are accepted into law school or another graduate program, when they reach an exciting life milestone or when they land the job that they sought,\u201d Chisolm said. \u201cI get the opportunity to be a small part in their journeys, and I am so thankful for such a fulfilling career.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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