David Washington Receives Distinguished Professor Award

Dr. David Washington, associate professor of human resources in NC State’s Poole College of Management, is one of three NC State professors chosen, through student nominations and a student nomination committee, to be honored for the positive impact they have had on students’ lives and education.

As part of the awards program, the three professors also will speak at the First Annual Distinguished Professors Award Lecture Series on March 1, 2011. The lecture series program will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Stewart Theater on the NC State campus.

Washington will speak on the topic of ‘Success in Life.’ Also receiving the student awards and speaking are Dr. Rupert Nacoste, professor of psychology, in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Philip Dail, director of advising and admissions in the College of Textiles.

He was nominated because way of teaching helps him relate to his students on a personal level, and because he cares for his students.

“I love his class,” said Taylor Hiott, a sophomore studying economics and entrepreneurship in Poole College. “He makes the class fun and enjoyable and yet still teaches the material. He always relates what he is teaching back to real-life examples, most of which included himself.”

Washington’s topic, success in life, is something he knows a lot about, and his childhood has had a significant impact on where he is today.

After losing everything at age 14, Washington had to work to provide for his family. With a sick mother and brother, he worked four jobs in high school to pay the bills. “I couldn’t do the adolescent thing. It was a strain,” he said, but he made it through. “If I can survive that, getting to the next level isn’t that hard. It taught me not to give up. I can survive, I can make it through this moment,” he said.

His academic record reflects that. Washington earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Excelsior College; his MBA from Webster University; Master of Science in public administration from Central Michigan University, and his doctorate in educational research and policy analysis from NC State. He also served as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, and joined the Poole College faculty as assistant professor in 2007.

Outside of work, Washington is involved heavily in the community. “I volunteer at local high schools, church groups. I want to help people find a way to make a better life,” he said. “They’ve never seen anyone in their neighborhood do it – do something greater. I try to show them that you need to want it, desire it, make it happen.”

Washington’s “beyond the textbook” methods have helped influence his students. “Dr. Washington truly puts his students first, and impacts their lives in so many ways,” Hiott said.

“There is a level of respect between students and teacher. My door is always open,” said Washington. “No one cares about what you know until they know how much you care.”

The can-do attitude that he lives by is what makes Washington a distinguished and relatable professor, his students have said. “Tomorrow will be a brighter day. A lot of people are giving up the fight to make it,” said Washington. “Never give up.”

Washington is in Poole College’s Department of Management, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.