Nazareth’s Nicole Juersivich earns national 2025 Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate award
Nazareth University’s Nicole Juersivich, associate dean of students for academic thriving and First Year Experience coordinator, is a 2025-26 Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate for her successful work surrounding first-year student success at Nazareth. The award is given by the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition, in collaboration with Penguin Random House Publishing. Juersivich, who is also a professor of mathematics, is among just 10 higher education colleagues nationwide to earn the first-year advocate award.
“Dr. Juersivich is a tireless advocate for first-year students, devoting her career to fostering their sense of belonging, purpose, and academic success,” said Nazareth President Beth Paul. “She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ensuring each student’s transition to college is inclusive, intentional, and supported.”
Over the past two years, Juersivich has taken on the ambitious task of transforming Nazareth’s Orientation and First-Year Experience (FYE) program. Nazareth’s Associate Dean of Students for Campus Life Victoria Gebel said her colleague’s strategic thinking led to success in the redesign. “Nicole is a detail-oriented planner and a thoughtful collaborator. One of her most impactful contributions has been her leadership in reimagining our first-year seminar course, a foundational experience for all new Nazareth students,” said Gebel. “Working with a small group of faculty and staff, Nicole employed the principles of universal design to map out the course structure, integrating institutional data and national best practices. She kept student well-being at the forefront of the process. As a result, the course has been fully reenvisioned to meet the needs of today’s students — academically, socially, and emotionally.”
Nazareth student Molly Connors ‘26 was among Juersivich’s students who wrote letters about why she deserved this award. “Dr. J creates a learning environment that is conducive to the transition from high school to college, said Connors. “The first semester of freshman year can be very overwhelming. Understanding how Moodle works, where all of the assignments are posted, how to read syllabuses, and adjusting to new expectations — Dr. J shows her students nothing but endless support and love. Her class teaches not only high expectations, but also what a kind, responsive professor looks like.”
Juersivich will receive her award at the 45th Annual First Year Experience conference in Seattle, Washington, in February 2026.
Contact
Julie Long | Chief PR Officer | jlong2@naz.edu | (585) 389-2456 | (585) 781-8186 (cell)
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
