Dr. Naomi D’Alessio was an NSU employee from 1982-2017. While at NSU, Dr. D’Alessio served first as a biology teacher and assistant headmaster at University School. A few years later she joined Nova College. For 15 years she served as the Director of the Division of Math, Science and Technology where she grew what would become the largest undergraduate program to date at NSU. Under her leadership the biology (pre-med) major was developed as well as programs in math, environmental science, marine biology, computer science, and the athletic training program. Dr. D’Alessio developed the dual admission program in 1992 and continued to manage it through 2013. She served as the Associate Dean of the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences from 2004-2013 until she returned to the Department of Biological Sciences where she served as faculty from 2013 until her retirement in 2017. Before her retirement, she inspired and initiated the Biology Student Award to support student scholarship in the biological sciences. Naomi will be remembered for her mentorship, advocacy, leadership and kindness, qualities which she personified. Most recently she served as a board member of the Grassy Waters Conservancy https://www.wpb.org/government/public-utilities/grassy-waters-preserve  where she funded a summer program for inner city children in the city of West Palm Beach to provide resources for 100 children to engage in activities at Grassy Waters while learning to respect, appreciate and preserve the natural environment. We are collecting memories, photos, and well wishes through this form https://forms.gle/QZ225VBUgLFUAr9XA and will share contributions with Naomi’s family and use the material gathered at a future memorial. Donations in honor of Dr. Naomi D’Alessio to the NSU Biology Student Award which Dr. D’Alessio inspired and helped to found may be made here and will be matched (up to $5000) by one of her former students, Dr. Sunil Patel (B.S. Biology Class of 2002).