TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Dr. Debra Nelson Gardell, associate professor of social work at The University of Alabama, has been named Faculty Mentor of the Year by the Southern Regional Education Board.

The award recognizes collegiate faculty advisors who have provided outstanding service as mentors to doctoral scholars.

Nelson-Gardell was nominated for the award by Dr. Dana Harmon, program and evaluation manager for UA’s Youth Service Institute, and a SREB/Alabama scholar.

The Southern Regional Education Board, the nation's first interstate compact for education, was created in 1948 by Southern states. SREB helps government and education leaders work cooperatively to advance education and, in doing so, to improve the social and economic life of the region. SREB’s 16 member states are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.