Lea Sexton, director of the Wilson Advising Center in UNLV's College of Liberal Arts, has been chosen as the 2000 President's Outstanding Professional Staff Member of the Year at the university.
Sexton, who has worked at UNLV since 1987, receives $1,000 as part of the award.
"Lea has contributed so much to UNLV in a variety of ways," said UNLV President Carol C. Harter. "It is due largely to her diligent efforts that the Wilson Advising Center is the success it is. Our liberal arts students know they can count on Lea and the other members of the center staff to assist them in selecting the right classes and in tracking their progress toward graduation. Lea is known among her colleagues for her outgoing personality, and she displays that same friendly manner toward the students."
Sexton, who earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in English from UNLV, taught English at the university on a part-time basis from 1987 until 1992.
From 1990 until 1996 she worked as an academic advisor to athletes in women's basketball, softball, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's rodeo, and to all athletes in the honors program.
In 1996 she oversaw the creation of the Wilson Advising Center, which provides advising services to all undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts, helping them make sure that they are taking the classes necessary to complete their degrees.
Sexton also has served on numerous campus committees and belongs to a variety of academic organizations, including Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. She serves as vice president of UNLV's Phi Kappa Phi chapter.
