Each year, one of our Faculty of the Year Award winners goes above and beyond, proving themselves as an exceptional educator and mentor for our nursing students.

To be considered for the Dr. Joan L. Frey Excellence in Teaching Award, candidates must have demonstrated excellence, compassion, and professionalism in their interactions with our Galen students during their clinical class time. Clinical educators nominated for this award must also display exceptional nursing knowledge and expert skill, showing how students can improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients in any clinical setting. Many clinicians also went the extra inch to guide and support the career development of Galen students.

This year we have a tie, meaning two recipients of this prestigious award.

Our first winner is Valorie Campbell, RN, MSN, faculty member at Galen’s Richmond Campus.

Students nominated Ms. Campbell saying she, “inspires and motivates faculty, staff, and students through her genuine passion for teaching and her unwavering commitment to student success. She consistently goes out of her way to ensure every student understands the material, meeting learners at their individual level and creating an environment where questions are welcomed and confidence can grow. Through her encouragement, friendly conversations, and relatable, engaging stories, she makes even challenging content approachable and meaningful.”

Another student writes that, “Her caring spirit shines through in everything she does. She not only teaches nursing concepts, but also models compassion, professionalism, and a true love for patients and the nursing profession. Her enthusiasm for teaching and for life itself is evident, making her classroom a place we as students look forward to being. Personally, she motivated me to continue pursuing my dreams and transformed medical-surgical nursing into an experience that was both fun and exciting. Her positive energy and dedication uplift everyone around her, leaving a lasting impact on students, colleagues, and the future of nursing.”

Congratulations to Ms. Valorie Campbell!

Our second winner is Ashley Andraski, RN, faculty member at Galen’s Gainesville Campus.

Multiple students submitted nominations for Ms. Andraski saying, “Miss Ashley exemplifies emotional intelligence through her deep understanding of her students’  needs, emotions, and challenges. She approaches every interaction with empathy and respect, creating an atmosphere where students feel supported and empowered to grow. Her ability to sense when someone is struggling and to respond with patience, encouragement, and understanding reflects a level of emotional awareness that truly sets her apart.”

Another student writes, “She is fully engaged in every aspect of teaching, bringing energy, creativity, and purpose to each class. Miss Ashley adapts her teaching style to meet the diverse learning needs of her students, using different approaches and examples to ensure everyone can grasp the material. Her flexibility and openness to change demonstrate her commitment to helping each student succeed.”

A third student writes, “Miss Ashley also encourages reflective evaluation by prompting us to think critically about our actions, decisions, and growth both in the classroom and in clinical practice. She challenges us to look beyond the what and consider the why, fostering self-awareness and accountability. Through her guidance, she has taught us that reflection is not just an academic exercise, but an essential part of becoming compassionate, competent nurses.”

Congratulations to both Ms. Ashley Andraski and to Ms. Valorie Campbell. Galen College of Nursing is proud to have you representing us and educating future nurses in your communities.