Chair instructions 

Thank you for putting the time and effort into recognizing the excellent work of your colleagues.

Important note 

The Committee has placed a page limit on files and indicated materials that will be consistent across all files (details are found below according to the award category).  The committee makes award decisions in January and awards are given at Founder's Day.  

Files in support of award nominations

Supporting files are compiled by the chair (or dean if a chair is nominated) or their designee. Nominees (either individuals or members of a department) must provide information as noted below and should be included in the process of compiling the supporting file. The deadline for supporting files is January 8, 2018 at 4 PM. No late files will be accepted. 

1. Teaching

Outstanding (Individual) Undergraduate or Graduate Teaching Awards:

Strict overall page limit of 10 pages. Please use the following format for file name: nominee's lastname_firstname.pdf

The pdf file must include

• a one-page executive summary indicating how and where the file content supplies evidence of excellence in teaching and student learning  
• supporting letter from chair (or dean if a chair is nominated)
• a resume focused on recent teaching related work, listing courses (indicating enrollment size and course level) taught for the last 3 years, any particular honors/awards, advisees, curriculum and assessment work, work with students outside of classes, etc. 
• a two-page narrative by the nominee on their teaching approach/philosophy (and SoTL research if applicable) and efforts to enhance undergraduate student learning;
• letters of support (Note: it is not appropriate for nominees to solicit letters from current students on their own behalf. A chair or their designee may solicit letters through a general call to students in the department.)
• evidence of general student response to the nominee’s teaching (this can be student evaluation summaries combined onto one table or other student data summarized).

Materials can be added as space permits (up to a total page count of 10 pages).  The following are examples of possible indicators of teaching excellence:

• evidence of strongly positive student response to teaching (e.g. consistently above average student evaluations, unusually positive alumni comments, student sponsored awards, etc.);
• publication/presentation of teaching materials, research on teaching, innovations in course content or pedagogy;
• peer recognition of commitment to student learning and teaching excellence;
• receiving grants for instructional development, teaching equipment or materials;
• leadership in non-traditional learning experiences and activities, e.g. undergraduate research, independent studies, class projects, etc.;
• evidence of instructional vitality, e.g. developing new courses, methods and materials, innovations in course content or methodology;
• professional development through such efforts as participation in workshops, conferences or similar activities devoted primarily to improving teaching methods and course content;
• leadership in initiating and executing constructive changes in curriculum that improve student learning;
• leadership in program assessment;
• evidence of quality teaching in a variety of learning contexts, e.g. special lectures, seminars, discussion groups.

Departmental Excellence in Teaching Awards:

Strict overall page limit of 15 pages. Please use the following format for file name: department name.pdf

The pdf file must include 

• a one-paragraph executive summary indicating how and where the file content supplies evidence of excellence in teaching and student learning;
• supporting letter from dean;
• a concise summary of teaching and assessment related work e.g. a program overview giving an indication of enrollments for the last 3 years, any particular honors/awards, advisees, curriculum and assessment work, work with students outside of classes, efforts to enhance undergraduate student learning, etc.;
• letters of support (Note: it is not appropriate to solicit students individually or in departmental courses for letters. A chair or their designee may solicit letters through a general invitation to all students in the department. Alumni letters may be solicited.)
• evidence of general student response to teaching in the department (can be summarized departmental student evaluation data for last three years or other student data summarized).

Materials can be added as space permits (up to a total page count of 15 pages) a.  The following are examples of possible indicators of teaching excellence:

• evidence of strongly positive student response to teaching (e.g. consistently above average student evaluations, unusually positive alumni comments, student sponsored awards, etc.);
• publication/presentation of teaching materials, research on teaching, innovations in course content or pedagogy;
• peer recognition of commitment to student learning and teaching excellence;
• receiving grants for instructional development, teaching equipment or materials;
• leadership in non-traditional learning experiences and activities, e.g. undergraduate research, independent studies, class projects, etc.;
• evidence of instructional vitality, e.g. developing new courses, methods and materials, innovations in course content or methodology;
• professional development through such efforts as participation in workshops, conferences or similar activities devoted primarily to improving teaching methods and course content;
• leadership in initiating and executing constructive changes in curriculum that improve student learning;
• leadership in program assessment;
• evidence of quality teaching in a variety of learning contexts, e.g. special lectures, seminars, discussion groups.

 

2. Service

Outstanding Faculty Development or Service Award:

Strict overall page limit of 10 pages. Please use the following format for file name: nominee's lastname_firstname.pdf

The pdf file must include:

• a one-page executive summary noting how and where the content of the nominee’s file supplies evidence of excellence in faculty development or service;
• supporting letter from chair (from the dean if a chair is nominated);
• a resume focused on recent service or faculty-development work noting any particular honors/awards, and documenting service work at the disciplinary, department, institutional, national/international or community level;
• a two-page narrative by the nominee on their approach/philosophy regarding service and/or faculty development work that illuminates the work documented in their resume;
• letters of support (Note: letters that supply direct evidence of the quality and impact of service work will be most effective.)

Additional materials can be added as space permits (up to a total page count of 10 pages). The possibilities for service are broad: some faculty may concentrate their service in narrowly defined areas while others may render professional service broadly across several domains. The following are examples of possible indicators of excellence in service or faculty development:

• effectively fulfilling a need within a department, college or the university;
• active and productive leadership in faculty governance;
• service activities that have a substantial impact on the lives of faculty, students or community members;
• actively serving as an advisor to a student group;
• mentoring/assisting new faculty members;
• leadership in a professional organization;
• serving as a referee or reviewer of scholarly articles, books, conference presentations or proposals or serving as an editorial member for a professional journal;
• providing effective service for a regional, national or international professional organization;
• being nominated for or receiving an award for professional service.

 

Departmental Excellence in Service Awards:

Strict overall page limit of 15 pages. Please use the following format for file name: department name.pdf

The pdf file must include 

• a one-page executive summary indicating how and where the file content supplies evidence of excellence and impact in service;
• supporting letter from dean;
• a summary of service related work, any particular honors/awards, etc.
• letters of support (Note: letters that supply direct evidence of the quality and impact of service work will be most effective.)

Additional materials can be added as space permits (up to a total page count of 15 pages). The possibilities for service are broad: some faculty may concentrate their service in narrowly defined areas while others may render professional service broadly across several domains. The following are examples of possible indicators of excellence in service or faculty development:

• effectively fulfilling a need within a department, college or the university;
• active and productive leadership in faculty governance;
• service activities that have a substantial impact on the lives of faculty, students or community members;
• actively serving as an advisor to a student group;
• mentoring/assisting new faculty members;
• leadership in a professional organization;
• serving as a referee or reviewer of scholarly articles, books, conference presentations or proposals or serving as an editorial member for a professional journal;
• providing effective service for a regional, national or international professional organization;
• being nominated for or receiving an award for professional service.

 

3.  Faculty Scholar Award (for Excellence in Teaching, Research or Creative Activity and Service).

This award honors a faculty member who has a demonstrated record of excellence in all three of these traditional faculty roles: teaching, research and/or creative activity; service to the university, the profession, and/or the community.

Strict overall page limit of 10 pages. Please use the following format for file name: nominee's lastname_firstname.pdf

The file must include

• a one-paragraph executive summary, noting how the content of the supporting file provides evidence of excellence in teaching, research and service;
• a resume focused on achievements in teaching, research, and service, noting any particular honors/awards, etc.;
• a two-page narrative by the nominee on their scholarly work in teaching, research and service;
• letters of support (Note: it is not appropriate for nominees to solicit letters from students on their own behalf. A department chair or their designee may solicit letters through a general call to students in the department.)
• supporting letter from chair (or dean if a chair is nominated)
• evidence of general student response to the nominee’s teaching and/or advising (this can be student evaluation summaries combined onto one table or other student data summarized).

Additional materials can be added as space permits (these additions count toward the total 10 pages). Potential indicators of excellence in teaching and service are indicated in the award criterion for those targeted awards above. Potential indicators of excellence in creative activity and/or research vary among disciplines but may include:

• production of creative works or performances;
• demonstrated contribution to knowledge through a program of research or creative activity;
• authoring peer-reviewed articles or books;
• juried creative activities;
• presentations at national or international conferences;
• receipt of professional achievement awards or other evidence that demonstrates external recognition of professional achievement;
• successful grant funding or contracts.