Stories

Dr. Tonya Nilsson, senior lecturer and vice chair for the Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering Department, began her journey at Santa Clara University (SCU) in 2010, driven by a twist of fate. Having previously held a tenured position within the California State University (CSU) system, Dr. Nilsson transitioned to SCU to find a new home in its vibrant academic community. Dr. Nilsson's decision to shift from a tenured professor to a lecturer came with its challenges, including a change in status and ego. Despite these obstacles, she remained committed to making a meaningful impact in her students' lives. As Dr. Nilsson approaches the milestone of retirement, we reflect on her passion for teaching and dedication to fostering an inclusive, supportive environment that played a pivotal role in shaping the civil engineering program and its culture.

During her tenure at SCU, Dr. Nilsson assumed leadership roles in esteemed professional organizations, such as serving on the executive board of the Civil Engineering division of the American Society for Engineering Education. She also served as a senior mentor and conducted teaching demonstration classes at the national ExCEEd Teaching Workshops, sharing her expertise with new participants.

Dr. Nilsson’s commitment to excellence was recognized through numerous awards. She received both the Louis and Dorina Brutocao Award for Teaching Excellence and the School of Engineering Teaching Excellence Award. These honors were a source of great pride for her, as they are based on student recognition. Additionally, Dr. Nilsson was a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Special Recognition Award. This was for her leadership in developing and publishing a STEM Educational Master Plan, as well as her service on the STEM Academic Planning Team from 2017-2019. She also received the SCU Brutocao Family Foundation Award for Curriculum Innovation.

As a female engineering professor, she understood the importance of being a role model for her students, particularly for women and underrepresented groups. A standout moment occurred while she was serving as a quarterly adjunct lecturer early in her career; a male student approached her to express how much her presence in the classroom meant to the female students. They valued her wealth of knowledge and the fact that she represented what other women students could aspire to be.

“I really am driven by the recognition that I have an opportunity every time I walk into that classroom to make an impact, and I have to choose daily to make it positive,” said Dr. Nilsson.

Dr. Nilsson’s advocacy for inclusive teaching methods led her to develop hands-on curricula and collaborative approaches. These benefited underrepresented groups in engineering by offering activities appealing to a broad range of learners, beyond traditional lecturing. Her efforts not only helped close the performance gap for women students but also provided a supportive learning environment in her classroom.

“As a female, I have a real opportunity to be a role model and to represent–not only show them– what they're capable of, but also help break barriers in the minds of all the students,” said Dr. Nilsson.

Throughout her time at SCU, Dr. Nilsson cherished her interactions with students, offering guidance and fostering growth. She emphasized the importance of finding a supportive community where students could take risks, challenge themselves, and trust in a network that had their back.

“If you asked me what I thought of Santa Clara, I'd say that I’m grateful! I think I won the jackpot. The fact that I get to teach at a school that values growing as humans has been amazing. I'm supported in trying teaching methodologies and supporting the students, and I'm able to have such a great connection with them. I will miss it,” said Dr. Nilsson.

Dr. Tonya Nilsson's impact on Santa Clara University's School of Engineering and its students will be remembered for years to come. Her legacy of dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to creating a positive, inclusive learning environment will leave a lasting impression. Dr. Nilsson will soon depart to complete her final year in the CSU system before moving to Washington with her husband and their dog, Ollie, where they will enjoy a well-deserved retirement.