UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies is thrilled to announce that Associate Professor Charlotte Matthews and Assistant Professor James McElvain have been honored with the 2026 Adelle F. Robertson Award.
This distinction recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated sustained excellence in providing new knowledge, instruction, or public service to the people, organizations, and institutions that the University serves. Given annually, the award honors former Dean Robertson’s career, which was characterized by her devotion to continuing education and public service.
Together, the two professors have over 60 years of teaching experience. At UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies, Matthews has dedicated 20 years to teaching adults and nontraditional learners. Matthews loves being with people in a shared endeavor, whether that is reading a poem or debating the merits of short sentences. “There is a communion in teaching, I believe: a rare find in our world,” Matthews explains.
In addition, Matthews finds working with adult learners in the School's Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree program particularly rewarding. “I deeply respect the non-traditional learners who, after an eight-hour day and caring for children, come to class with open hearts and minds. I treasure the liberty I am given to design and curate courses. I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, I adore this school and job,” she reflects.
It’s easy to see how much Matthews’ students return her affection. Former student Alexis Guschel states, "Charlotte Matthews is unparalleled in her dedication to her students and her passion for teaching...Fostering community in the classroom is paramount to her teaching methods. Within every course, students have the opportunity to teach others about something they love, and their contributions are celebrated with intention. Professor Matthews offers individualized feedback, often recording a short personal video response alongside her line notes on assignments. With her encouragement throughout the BIS program, I have grown as both a writer and a person."
McElvain, too, realized how much he enjoyed the academic environment and engaging with students shortly after he began teaching administration of justice courses in 2000 at Riverside Community College. When McElvain completed his PhD, his career was marked by both practitioner and academic success. He served as Chief of Police in Vancouver, Washington, and taught at both Loma Linda University and Washington State University, Vancouver.
Now retired from law enforcement, McElvain focuses his time on academics with UVA’s Master of Public Safety students. “As both a practitioner and an academic, blending professional experience with scholarly work,” McElvain explains, “I find that I am able to connect with students in a meaningful way.”
McElvain feels a kinship with the School community, especially given that “many of the students in the Master of Public Safety program are working professionals in leadership roles who are pursuing their graduate degrees while actively serving their communities.” McElvain notes that “it is incredibly rewarding to work with and support them. I am continually impressed by their experience, determination and commitment to applying what they learn to real-world challenges.”
Like Matthews, McElvain values being part of such a talented and experienced faculty, stating that "The School of Continuing and Professional Studies’ community is deeply committed to practical, applied learning, and seeing students succeed and excel in their professions is one of the most fulfilling aspects of teaching."
Former student Rob Ham describes his experience with McElvain in the Master of Public Safety program: "He demonstrates a genuine dedication to student learning and consistently invests the time necessary to ensure students understand the concepts being taught and how they apply in their professional roles. His willingness to meet individually, sometimes even on weekends, reflects the level of support he provides to his students. His encouragement pushed me to approach problems more analytically and reinforced the importance of evidence-based decision-making in public service. That experience has had a lasting impact on my professional development."
On behalf of the entire School, Stephen Levine, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, expresses appreciation for the professors' dedication to the School and its students, stating that both professors' work is characterized by a generous, student-centered focus, a commitment to continual innovation, and the ability to provide transformative learning environments.