Dr. Regena Fails Nelson, Walther Class of 1986, has recently retired after 32 years of teaching at Western Michigan University. After graduating from Walther, Regena attended Loyola University-Chicago where, in 1989, she earned a degree in Psychology and Political Science. While at Loyola, she completed an internship at a preschool for children with emotional impairments, which she thoroughly enjoyed. During that time she realized that, “watching children develop lights me up.” Regena determined, “I will never get bored of this.” She was awarded a Fellowship to attend the University of Michigan where she completed her PhD in Education and Psychology, focusing on Early Childhood Education and Developmental Psychology.

In 1994, Regena became an Assistant Professor at WMU. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 2000 and Full Professor in 2006. “My life’s work has been about research on school readiness, creating ready environments that meet the needs of all children and supporting the teachers in this process” explained Dr. Nelson. “It is about removing barriers for students. Research shows that once the environment is ready for them, early childhood students will blossom.”

While at WMU, Dr. Nelson was involved with 18 research projects and 32 publications, and presented on her research nearly 70 times, including speaking to the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Association for Early Childhood Teacher Educators. She also chaired the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Studies for nine years at WMU and concurrently chaired the Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies for four years. “No one else at the university ever chaired two departments,” she shared. 

Regena also served on several community boards. She is most proud of her work as Board President of the Kalamazoo County Ready 4s, an initiative with the mission of providing access to high quality preschool while supporting teachers in those classrooms, and creating the Urban Teacher Residency Program which supports adults with a BA in getting their teaching license in elementary and special education.

While at Walther, Regena was a three sport athlete, participating in tennis, basketball, and track. She also played clarinet in the Wind Ensemble, worked on the yearbook, and was an office aide. Regena credits basketball in particular for becoming a team player and learning to persevere. She cited Sra. Farmer as the one who inspired her to become a teacher. 

Regena also recalls her senior religion class as being influential. “That was the class that made me think about purpose,” recalled Regena. “The spiritual development that was poured into me at Walther has stayed with me. I knew leaving Walther that having Christ at the center of what I would do was important. I have lived into that in my career, while raising my children, and in my personal life.” 

Dr. Regena Fails Nelson is another example of the far reaching impact Walther alumni have had on the world. We are so proud of all she has accomplished.