Award-Nominated Lecturer Inspiring Next Generation at Crawley College 

Nelia Felicio, Beauty Therapy lecturer, has recently inspired students and staff at Crawley College, as she was nominated for Educator of the Year in the Professional Beauty Awards 2026.

This was Nelia’s second nomination for the prestigious awards, which are a set of 15 awards designed to celebrate salons, spas, clinics, teams and individuals who set the standard in customer service.  

This particular award recognises all the hard work that Nelia puts into her lessons and her self-development, which she then passes on to her students and shares with her colleagues.  

Nelia has been teaching in Further Education for nearly a decade, teaching makeup artistry, beauty therapy and hairdressing. She also began her career with the group, completing her teaching experience at Chichester College.  

She attended the awards ceremony on Sunday 1 March, joined by several of her fellow nominees, sadly missing out on winning the award. Speaking ahead of the event about how she felt, she said:  

“I’ve got mixed feelings. I’m nervous because obviously, it’s my first time attending such a big event. And I’m also excited because it’s amazing and so humbling to be recognised.”   

She was absolutely over the moon when she received the news of her nomination, saying:   

“So, when I received my email saying I was nominated, I was home, and I had to reread it. I said to myself oh my, I’ve been nominated, this is amazing, but also a bit scary, as I wasn’t expecting it.  

“The first thing I did was tell my husband and my children, and they are so proud and really supportive.”  

She also reflected on an inspirational figure for herself, Kate Smith, who was her mentor when she was training. She said:  

“She has supported me throughout my career and still today continues to do so… She was the first lady who gave me a teaching job and believed in me.  

“I’d like to recognise her amazing qualities in supporting not just myself, but anyone that works with her, alongside her – they benefit so much. She is so knowledgeable about what she does and so passionate as well. And I would not be here today as well as being nominated if it wasn’t for her input, her support and her mentoring skills.”