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Paulina Sidwell began working at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ in 2012 as an adjunct instructor teaching Engineering and Mathematics, and shortly after transitioned into the role as a full-time Professor of Engineering. Sidwell was inspired to pursue a career in higher education due to her upbringing in a family of engineers and educators.

Paulina moved to Waco in 2012, where a friend mentioned that Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­’s engineering department—at the time consisting of just one professor, the amazing April Andreas—was looking for another instructor. Although she didn’t know much about Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ at the time, one visit to campus was all it took for her to apply. "I immediately fell in love with Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­’s campus. Everyone was so welcoming and kind. It’s hard to describe why, but this place just felt like home to me,” Sidwell said.

Sidwell, who has spent 13 years at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­, has taught a variety of courses and reflected on her time working with students from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing the unique and valuable experiences each individual contributes to the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ community. Regarding advice for current students, Sidwell encourages them to become familiar with the resources that Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ provides.

Sidwell also spoke about how a campus community is a vital part of a college student’s journey. “Feeling like you belong here can be a huge factor in student success. I hope all students have the chance to meet others who share their interests. I also strongly encourage students to take advantage of opportunities outside the classroom—whether it’s networking, extracurricular activities, or simply broadening their horizons," Sidwell said.

Sidwell was chosen as one of five honorees selected to receive the 2023 National Institute of Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards.