Franchesca Nestor
Sherwood Dodge Shankland Award for Encouragement of Teachers (2022)
2022 Commencement Excerpt
Franchesca Nestor has excelled as an inspiring educator and a role model since joining OWU in 2017. Her students describe her teaching environment as unlike any other, balancing rigor and empathy while challenging them in and out of the classroom setting.
Dr. Nestor’s work and contribution in the field of Political Science includes Equality and American Politics, the American Presidency, Women and Politics, Food Politics & Policy, and Environmental Public Policy, to name a few. While her approach is one that is enjoyable and transformative, it invigorates critical thinking and productive discussion.
She has the energy and drive to motivate students to achieve great things and to excite them about traditionally mundane topics through an inclusive lens. Her classes embody the OWU Connection and liberal arts experience by guiding students in connecting the content to real life situations. One of her most substantial impacts has been to modernize and increase voter registration on our campus.
Dr. Nestor has published articles in a number of journals and co-authored the third edition of Contemporary Regulatory Policy. In 2021, she was awarded Exemplary Teacher of the Year from the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Division of Higher Education. She also serves as the Director of Fellowships. Congratulations and thank you, Dr. Nestor, for your dedication and service!