FACULTY EXCELLENCE AWARDS PROGRAM

2019-2020

Co-sponsored by:

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Student Success, and P-16 Integration

Executive Vice President for Health Affairs

Executive Vice President for Research, Graduate Studies, & New Program Development

Vice President for Governmental & Community Relations

Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Where Excellence Matters

Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Table of Contents

Timeline pg. 3

Process pg. 4

Description, Eligibility, Criteria, & Instructions for Preparation for Awards in Each Category

pg. 5

pg. 7

pg. 10

pg. 12

pg. 14

pg. 16

1. Teaching (2 awards)

a. Tenured/Tenure-Track

b. Non-Tenure-Track

2. Online Teaching

3. Research/Scholarship/Creative Work

4. Service

5. Student Mentoring

6. Community Engaged Scholarship

7. Sustainability Education pg. 18

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Timeline

Date Activity

Monday, February 10, 2020 Call for nominations for Faculty Excellence Awards Wednesday, February 19, 2020 by 11:59 p.m.

Deadline to submit initial nominations for Faculty Excellence Awards via online form

Wednesday, February 26, 2020 Deadline for nominees to accept or decline their nomination

Monday, March 2, 2020 by Noon

Deadline for the full PDF nomination packet of each Excellence Award nominee to be submitted electronically to the Office of Faculty Success & Diversity (OFSD) in the Division of Academic Affairs at FacultySuccess@utrgv.edu, which shall forward to the UTRGV External Awards Committee as appropriate

Friday, March 20, 2020 Deadline for the UTRGV External Awards Committee to complete its review

Wednesday, April 1, 2020 Deadline for the notification of the winners

Recipients of the Faculty Excellence Awards in Teaching, Service, and Student Mentoring will be notified by the Senior Associate Vice President for Faculty Success & Diversity (for recipients in the Division of Academic Affairs) and the Associate Vice President for Faculty (for recipients in the Division of Health Affairs)

Recipients of the Faculty Excellence Awards in Online Teaching, Research/Scholarship/ Creative Work, and Sustainability Education will be notified by the Executive Vice President for Research, Graduate Programs, & New Program Development, or designee

Recipients of the Faculty Excellence Award in Community Engaged Scholarship will be notified by the Vice President for Governmental and Community Relations, or designee

Thursday, April 30, 2020 Faculty Excellence Awards Ceremony

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Process

The Office of Faculty Success & Diversity (OFSD) in the Division of Academic Affairs will facilitate the logistics of the awards process in collaboration with the co-sponsoring Divisions.

Process 1. Call for nominations is shared with faculty.2. Nominations are submitted via online form by the deadline established in this call.

• Faculty members considered for these Excellence Awards shall be identified through a nominationprocess.

• The nomination process is open; that is, any eligible UTRGV faculty member may nominatethemselves or another eligible UTRGV faculty member for any of the Excellence Awards. Full-timeadministrators and students cannot submit nominations.

• Nominators should check with the nominees to ensure that they are willing and eligible to acceptthe nomination, and if so, inform them once the nomination has been submitted.

• If you are a nominee for any award category, you must recuse yourself from all aspects of thereview process for that category.

3. Eligibility is reviewed and confirmed.4. OFSD notifies nominees via email and provides details for the next steps.5. Nominees accept or decline nomination by deadline provided in notification email.6. Nominees submit full PDF nomination packet via email to FacultySuccess@utrgv.edu by the deadline

provided in notification email.7. OFSD shares all nomination packets received with the UTRGV External Awards Committee.8. The oversight of the selection of nominees is conducted by the UTRGV External Awards Committee as

authorized in HOP 06-304.9. Notification of winners by co-sponsoring Division representatives via phone call and email.

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Excellence Award in Teaching

Award Description (2 awards) The Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching recognizes, encourages, and rewards superior teachers and their contributions to the development and delivery of effective teaching and learning experiences. There will be two Awards in this category – one for tenured/tenure-track faculty and the other for non-tenure-track faculty – and includes a $5,000 stipend for each award.

Eligibility for Award 1. All full-time UTRGV faculty members, except for those in a visiting capacity, who have completed at

the time of nomination two or more full academic years of consecutive service at UTRGV areeligible to be nominated.

2. Faculty members with part-time administrative appointments may be nominated. Full-timeadministrators are ineligible for nomination.

3. Nominated faculty members must NOT have been a recipient of a University Excellence Award inthe same category at UTRGV or one of the legacy institutions within the previous five academicyears.

4. Nominated faculty members must NOT have been recipients of a University Excellence Award inany category at UTRGV within the previous three academic years.

Criteria The selection criteria are the following.

1. Use of discipline-appropriate teaching methodologies, with demonstrated innovation in teaching,including new technology.

2. Demonstrated continuous improvement of course material and the use of assessment tools toenhance student learning outcomes.

3. Creation of a positive learning environment.4. Ensured academic rigor.

The Committee will look for evidence of the criteria mentioned above.

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Excellence Award in Teaching

Instructions for Preparation of Nomination/Application Packets One PDF file should be assembled for each Faculty Excellence Award nominee that includes the items described below. Clearly identify the nominee and category in the name of the PDF file (e.g., JaneVaquero_Teaching). Submit the PDF to OFSD (FacultySuccess@utrgv.edu) no later than the deadline in this call. It is expected to conform to the page limits specified in these instructions. Nominations that do not adhere to these instructions are subject to disqualification.

Nomination/Application Packet Contents 1. Cover Page, containing the following information:

a. Excellence Award Category.b. Full name of nominee.c. Current position of nominee (title, rank, department/school, and college).d. Number of years in this position as well as total number of years at UTRGV and legacy

institutions.e. UTRGV email address.f. Phone number.

2. Table of Contents3. Letter of Nomination (limited to two pages)

The letter should summarize the nominee’s achievements in the area of the Excellence Award andaddress impact(s).

4. Nominee’s Abbreviated CV (limited to five pages)The abbreviated CV should primarily focus on the nominee’s accomplishments (particularly in thecategory for which the faculty member is nominated) during the last five years.

5. List of Achievements/Activities in the area of the award within the past five yearsFor faculty who have worked for UTRGV and one of the legacy institutions for less than five years,with the exception of nominations for the Research/Scholarship/Creative Work Excellence Award,the list should include only the contributions made at UTRGV and the legacy institution(s).

6. No more than five letters of endorsement (a maximum of one page in length each)Letters of endorsement may be provided from any person who can speak to the Excellence Awardcriteria. Letters from students who are likely to be subsequently advised or evaluated by the facultynominee are discouraged. Individual letters from graduates are appropriate. The perspective orstatus of the authors of the letters should be clearly identified, either in the letter itself or by theperson who prepares the nomination packet.

Tips • The members of the Committee are likely to be from different disciplines than the nominee,

meaning that clear and simple prose (rather than discipline-specific jargon) would be helpful.• Nominees are encouraged to suggest to the individual writing a supporting letter to clearly identify

their professional status, vantage point, or area of expertise.• Summaries of the department or program student evaluations and peer-reviews of the nominee’s

teaching would be helpful. Persons preparing applications for the Faculty Excellence Award inTeaching should note carefully the importance of addressing assessment of student learningoutcomes.

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Excellence Award in Online Teaching

Award Description The Faculty Excellence Award in Online Teaching recognizes, encourages, and rewards superior teachers and their contributions to the development and delivery of exceptional online teaching and learning. The recipient provides models of excellence for fellow faculty. The recipient courses use well-designed course materials and instructional strategies while demonstrating a rapport with students and effective achievement of desired learning outcomes using best practices. There will be one Award in this category and includes a $5,000 stipend.

Eligibility for Award 1. All full-time UTRGV faculty members, except for those in a visiting capacity, who have completed at

the time of nomination two or more full academic years of consecutive service at UTRGV areeligible to be nominated.

2. Faculty members with part-time administrative appointments may be nominated. Full-timeadministrators are ineligible for nomination.

3. Faculty members must have designed and taught one or more online courses using well-designedcourse materials and instructional strategies.

4. Nominated faculty members must NOT have been a recipient of a University Excellence Award inthe same category at UTRGV or one of the legacy institutions within the previous five academicyears.

5. Nominated faculty members must NOT have been recipients of a University Excellence Award inany category at UTRGV within the previous three academic years.

Criteria The selection criteria are the following.

1. Quality of Online Course Design: The nominee has developed a well-design online course that meetsQuality Matters Standards. The course will be evaluated using the QM Rubric.

2. Exceptional Instructional Strategies: The nominee has utilized commendable practices in instructionalstrategies. Instructional strategies include, but not limited to, incorporating student-centered andcollaborative learning environment, meaningful authentic experiences, and course assessments.

3. Excellent Course Facilitation: The nominee demonstrates best practices in online course facilitation bycreating both faculty and peer-to-peer online presence.

4. Student Feedback on Course Effectiveness: The nominee has demonstrated rapport with courseparticipants and provides evidences of learner's satisfaction and effectiveness. In this section, we willask for a letter of recommendation from a former student.

5. Effective Learning Outcomes: The nominee has demonstrated a strong partnership betweeninstructional materials and strategies towards achieving the course learning outcomes. In this section,we ask for sample student work and explanation towards how learning outcomes were met.

6. Enable Accessibility: The course is consciously developed to meet accessibility standards, inclusivedesign for all learners by incorporating Universal Design for Learning guidelines and Accessibilitystandards.

Notes 1. Nominations and all submitted materials are confidential. Self-nominations are accepted.2. Applications must be filled out completely to be considered.3. If you have any questions concerning awards for Excellence in Online Teaching, please email

EOLC@UTRGV.edu or call (956) 882-6792 [Brownsville] / (956) 665-5327 [Edinburg].4. You will be required to submit, at minimum, two letters of recommendation (one from a student and

one from administrator/colleague)

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Excellence Award in Online Teaching

Instructions for Preparation of Nomination/Application Packets One PDF file should be assembled for each Faculty Excellence in Online Teaching Award nominee that includes the items described below. Clearly identify the nominee and category in the name of the PDF file (e.g., JaneVaquero_Online_Teaching). Submit the PDF to OFSD (FacultySuccess@utrgv.edu) no later than the deadline in this call. It is expected to conform to the page limits specified in these instructions. Nominations that do not adhere to these instructions are subject to disqualification.

Nomination/Application Packet Contents 1. Cover Page, containing the following information:

a. Excellence Award Category.b. Full Name of nominee.c. Current position of nominee (title, rank, department/school, and college).d. Number of years in this position as well as total number of years at UTRGV and legacy

institutions.e. UTRGV Email Addressf. Phone Number:g. Course Information: Course Number, and Semester (ENGL 1301 91L)

2. Table of Contents3. Letter of Nomination should include:

a. Justification (No more than 2 pages)Provide a justification summarizing why you believe the nominee should be the recipient of theExcellence in Online Teaching Award.• Explain how teaching approach, instructional strategies and authentic assessments are

implemented.• Explain how the course meets accessibility standards

4. Provide three examples of well-designed course materials that contain effective teachingstrategies. Provide location of evidence in the course. Justification should address all pointsincluded. Minimum 500 words.

5. Learning OutcomesProvide evidence of effectiveness in achieving desired learning outcomes.

6. Nominee’s Abbreviated CV (limited to five pages)The abbreviated CV should primarily focus on the nominee’s accomplishments (particularly in thecategory for which the faculty member is nominated) during the last five years.

7. List of Achievements/Activities in the area of the award within the past five yearsFor faculty who have worked for UTRGV and one of the legacy institutions for less than five years,with the exception of nominations for the Research/Scholarship/Creative Work Excellence Award,the list should include only the contributions made at UTRGV and the legacy institution(s).

8. No more than five letters of endorsement (a maximum of one page in length each)Attach at minimum two letters of endorsement, one student and one administrator/colleague. Forrecommendation by students have them describe their overall satisfaction of their onlineeducational experience. Letters from students who are likely to be subsequently advised orevaluated by the faculty nominee are discouraged. Individual letters from graduates areappropriate. The perspective or status of the authors of the letters should be clearly identified,either in the letter itself or by the person who prepares the nomination packet.

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Tips • The members of the Committee are likely to be from different disciplines than the nominee,

meaning that clear and simple prose (rather than discipline-specific jargon) would be helpful.• Nominees are encouraged to suggest to the individual writing a supporting letter to clearly identify

their professional status, vantage point, or area of expertise.• Summaries of the department or program student evaluations and peer-reviews of the nominee’s

teaching would be helpful. Persons preparing applications for the Faculty Excellence Award inTeaching should note carefully the importance of addressing assessment of student learningoutcomes.

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Excellence Award in Research/Scholarship/Creative Work

Award Description The Faculty Excellence Award in Research/Scholarship/Creative Work recognizes, encourages, and rewards researchers and scholars and their contributions to the body of knowledge in their field. There will be one Award in this category and includes a $5,000 stipend.

Eligibility for Award 1. All full-time UTRGV faculty members, except for those in a visiting capacity, who have completed at

the time of nomination two or more full academic years of consecutive service at UTRGV areeligible to be nominated.

2. Faculty members with part-time administrative appointments may be nominated. Full-timeadministrators are ineligible for nomination.

3. Nominated faculty members must NOT have been a recipient of a University Excellence Award inthe same category at UTRGV or one of the legacy institutions within the previous five academicyears.

4. Nominated faculty members must NOT have been recipients of a University Excellence Award inany category at UTRGV within the previous three academic years.

Criteria The selection criteria are the following.

1. Research, scholarship, and/or creative work recognized locally, regionally, or nationally for itsimpact.

2. Research, scholarship, and/or creative activities that expand the body of knowledge in the facultymember’s discipline.

3. Impact of research, scholarship, and/or creative work on the academic field and beyond.

The Committee will look for evidence of the criteria mentioned above.

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Excellence Award in Research/Scholarship/Creative Work

Instructions for Preparation of Nomination/Application Packets One PDF file should be assembled for each Faculty Excellence Award nominee that includes the items described below. Clearly identify the nominee and category in the name of the PDF file (e.g., JaneVaquero_Research). Submit the PDF to OFSD (FacultySuccess@utrgv.edu) no later than the deadline in this call. It is expected to conform to the page limits specified in these instructions. Nominations that do not adhere to these instructions are subject to disqualification.

Nomination/Application Packet Contents 1. Cover Page, containing the following information:

a. Excellence Award Category.b. Full name of nominee.c. Current position of nominee (title, rank, department/school, and college).d. Number of years in this position as well as total number of years at UTRGV and legacy

institutions.e. UTRGV email address.f. Phone number.

2. Table of Contents3. Letter of Nomination (limited to two pages)

The letter should summarize the nominee’s achievements in the area of the Excellence Award andaddress impact(s).

4. Nominee’s Abbreviated CV (limited to five pages)The abbreviated CV should primarily focus on the nominee’s accomplishments (particularly in thecategory for which the faculty member is nominated) during the last five years.

5. List of Achievements/Activities in the area of the award within the past five yearsFor faculty who have worked for UTRGV and one of the legacy institutions for less than five years,with the exception of nominations for the Research/Scholarship/Creative Work Excellence Award,the list should include only the contributions made at UTRGV and the legacy institution(s).

6. No more than five letters of endorsement (a maximum of one page in length each)Letters of endorsement may be provided from any person who can speak to the Excellence Awardcriteria. Letters from students who are likely to be subsequently advised or evaluated by the facultynominee are discouraged. Individual letters from graduates are appropriate. The perspective orstatus of the authors of the letters should be clearly identified, either in the letter itself or by theperson who prepares the nomination packet.

Tips • The members of the Committee are likely to be from different disciplines than the nominee,

meaning that clear and simple prose (rather than discipline-specific jargon) would be helpful.• Nominees are encouraged to suggest to the individual writing a supporting letter to clearly identify

their professional status, vantage point, or area of expertise.• The supporting letters should address the significance and impact of the research/creative work in

its theoretical, practical, and/or artistic aspects, and how it has advanced knowledge and/orcontributed to the field/discipline. Supporting letters from appropriate individuals, other thanthose employed at UTRGV, are especially useful. A copy of the research/creative work itself (e.g.,book, journal article, artwork, etc.) will not be forwarded to the Committee.

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Excellence Award in Service

Award Description The Faculty Excellence Award in Service recognizes, encourages, and rewards faculty and their service contributions to the university, community, and profession. There will be one Award in this category and includes a $5,000 stipend.

Eligibility for Award

1. All full-time UTRGV faculty members, except for those in a visiting capacity, who have completed at the time of nomination two or more full academic years of consecutive service at UTRGV are eligible to be nominated.

2. Faculty members with part-time administrative appointments may be nominated. Full-time administrators are ineligible for nomination.

3. Nominated faculty members must NOT have been a recipient of a University Excellence Award in the same category at UTRGV or one of the legacy institutions within the previous five academic years.

4. Nominated faculty members must NOT have been recipients of a University Excellence Award in any category at UTRGV within the previous three academic years.

Criteria The selection criteria are the following.

1. Service contributions that recognized locally, regionally, and/or nationally for their impact. 2. Demonstrated leadership, commitment, and dedication to the university, community, and/or

profession. 3. Impact of the service on the university, community, and/or profession.

The Committee will look for evidence of the criteria mentioned in above.

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Excellence Award in Service Instructions for Preparation of Nomination/Application Packets One PDF file should be assembled for each Faculty Excellence Award nominee that includes the items described below. Clearly identify the nominee and category in the name of the PDF file (e.g., JaneVaquero_Service). Submit the PDF to OFSD (FacultySuccess@utrgv.edu) no later than the deadline in this call. It is expected to conform to the page limits specified in these instructions. Nominations that do not adhere to these instructions are subject to disqualification. Nomination/Application Packet Contents

1. Cover Page, containing the following information: a. Excellence Award Category. b. Full name of nominee. c. Current position of nominee (title, rank, department/school, and college). d. Number of years in this position as well as total number of years at UTRGV and legacy

institutions. e. UTRGV email address. f. Phone number.

2. Table of Contents 3. Letter of Nomination (limited to two pages)

The letter should summarize the nominee’s achievements in the area of the Excellence Award and address impact(s).

4. Nominee’s Abbreviated CV (limited to five pages) The abbreviated CV should primarily focus on the nominee’s accomplishments (particularly in the category for which the faculty member is nominated) during the last five years.

5. List of Achievements/Activities in the area of the award within the past five years For faculty who have worked for UTRGV and one of the legacy institutions for less than five years, with the exception of nominations for the Research/Scholarship/Creative Work Excellence Award, the list should include only the contributions made at UTRGV and the legacy institution(s).

6. No more than five letters of endorsement (a maximum of one page in length each) Letters of endorsement may be provided from any person who can speak to the Excellence Award criteria. Letters from students who are likely to be subsequently advised or evaluated by the faculty nominee are discouraged. Individual letters from graduates are appropriate. The perspective or status of the authors of the letters should be clearly identified, either in the letter itself or by the person who prepares the nomination packet.

Tips • The members of the Committee are likely to be from different disciplines than the nominee,

meaning that clear and simple prose (rather than discipline-specific jargon) would be helpful. • Nominees are encouraged to suggest to the individual writing a supporting letter to clearly identify

their professional status, vantage point, or area of expertise. • The supporting material should make clear the impact or results of the service activities. In this

category, letters from persons inside as well as outside the university who can attest to the impact of the service are especially useful.

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Excellence Award in Student Mentoring

Award Description The Faculty Excellence Award in Student Mentoring recognizes, encourages, and rewards faculty mentors for their contribution to student success and engagement. There will be one Award in this category and includes a $5,000 stipend.

Eligibility for Award

1. All full-time UTRGV faculty members, except for those in a visiting capacity, who have completed at the time of nomination two or more full academic years of consecutive service at UTRGV are eligible to be nominated.

2. Faculty members with part-time administrative appointments may be nominated. Full-time administrators are ineligible for nomination.

3. Nominated faculty members must NOT have been a recipient of a University Excellence Award in the same category at UTRGV or one of the legacy institutions within the previous five academic years.

4. Nominated faculty members must NOT have been recipients of a University Excellence Award in any category at UTRGV within the previous three academic years.

Criteria The selection criteria are the following.

1. Demonstrated improvements in student engagement and achievement. 2. Impact on student retention and graduation. 3. Significant contributions to the lives of students during and after college.

The Committee will look for evidence of the criteria mentioned above.

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Excellence Award in Student Mentoring Instructions for Preparation of Nomination/Application Packets One PDF file should be assembled for each Faculty Excellence Award nominee that includes the items described below. Clearly identify the nominee and category in the name of the PDF file (e.g., JaneVaquero_StudentMentoring). Submit the PDF to OFSD (FacultySuccess@utrgv.edu) no later than the deadline in this call. It is expected to conform to the page limits specified in these instructions. Nominations that do not adhere to these instructions are subject to disqualification. Nomination/Application Packet Contents

1. Cover Page, containing the following information: a. Excellence Award Category. b. Full name of nominee. c. Current position of nominee (title, rank, department/school, and college). d. Number of years in this position as well as total number of years at UTRGV and legacy

institutions. e. UTRGV email address. f. Phone number.

2. Table of Contents 3. Letter of Nomination (limited to two pages)

The letter should summarize the nominee’s achievements in the area of the Excellence Award and address impact(s).

4. Nominee’s Abbreviated CV (limited to five pages) The abbreviated CV should primarily focus on the nominee’s accomplishments (particularly in the category for which the faculty member is nominated) during the last five years.

5. List of Achievements/Activities in the area of the award within the past five years For faculty who have worked for UTRGV and one of the legacy institutions for less than five years, with the exception of nominations for the Research/Scholarship/Creative Work Excellence Award, the list should include only the contributions made at UTRGV and the legacy institution(s).

6. No more than five letters of endorsement (a maximum of one page in length each) Letters of endorsement may be provided from any person who can speak to the Excellence Award criteria. Letters from students who are likely to be subsequently advised or evaluated by the faculty nominee are discouraged. Individual letters from graduates are appropriate. The perspective or status of the authors of the letters should be clearly identified, either in the letter itself or by the person who prepares the nomination packet.

Tips • The members of the Committee are likely to be from different disciplines than the nominee,

meaning that clear and simple prose (rather than discipline-specific jargon) would be helpful. • Nominees are encouraged to suggest to the individual writing a supporting letter to clearly identify

their professional status, vantage point, or area of expertise. • The supporting materials should make clear the impact or results of the student

advising/mentoring activities on student success.

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Excellence Award in Community Engaged Scholarship

Award Description The Faculty Excellence Award in Community Engaged Scholarship recognizes, encourages, and rewards faculty and their contributions to advance community engagement principles through research/creative works and experiential learning that impact the region. There will be one Award in this category and includes a $5,000 stipend.

Eligibility for Award

1. All full-time UTRGV faculty members, except for those in a visiting capacity, who have completed at the time of nomination two or more full academic years of consecutive service at UTRGV are eligible to be nominated.

2. Faculty members with part-time administrative appointments may be nominated. Full-time administrators are ineligible for nomination.

3. Nominated faculty members must NOT have been a recipient of a University Excellence Award in the same category at UTRGV or one of the legacy institutions within the previous five academic years.

4. Nominated faculty members must NOT have been recipients of a University Excellence Award in any category at UTRGV within the previous three academic years.

Criteria The selection criteria are the following.

1. Contributions to community engaged scholarship recognized locally, regionally, and/or nationally for its impact.

2. Demonstrated leadership in infusing community engagement in research/creative works and experiential/service-learning opportunities.

3. Fostering impactful community partnerships that are reciprocal in nature. The Committee will look for evidence of the criteria mentioned above.

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Excellence Award in Community Engaged Scholarship Instructions for Preparation of Nomination/Application Packets One PDF file should be assembled for each Faculty Excellence Award nominee that includes the items described below. Clearly identify the nominee and category in the name of the PDF file (e.g., JaneVaquero_CommunityEngaged). Submit the PDF to OFSD (FacultySuccess@utrgv.edu) no later than the deadline in this call. It is expected to conform to the page limits specified in these instructions. Nominations that do not adhere to these instructions are subject to disqualification. Nomination/Application Packet Contents

1. Cover Page, containing the following information: a. Excellence Award Category. b. Full name of nominee. c. Current position of nominee (title, rank, department/school, and college). d. Number of years in this position as well as total number of years at UTRGV and legacy

institutions. e. UTRGV email address. f. Phone number.

2. Table of Contents 3. Letter of Nomination (limited to two pages)

The letter should summarize the nominee’s achievements in the area of the Excellence Award and address impact(s).

4. Nominee’s Abbreviated CV (limited to five pages) The abbreviated CV should primarily focus on the nominee’s accomplishments (particularly in the category for which the faculty member is nominated) during the last five years.

5. List of Achievements/Activities in the area of the award within the past five years For faculty who have worked for UTRGV and one of the legacy institutions for less than five years, with the exception of nominations for the Research/Scholarship/Creative Work Excellence Award, the list should include only the contributions made at UTRGV and the legacy institution(s).

6. No more than five letters of endorsement (a maximum of one page in length each) Letters of endorsement may be provided from any person who can speak to the Excellence Award criteria. Letters from students who are likely to be subsequently advised or evaluated by the faculty nominee are discouraged. Individual letters from graduates are appropriate. The perspective or status of the authors of the letters should be clearly identified, either in the letter itself or by the person who prepares the nomination packet.

Tips • The members of the Committee are likely to be from different disciplines than the nominee,

meaning that clear and simple prose (rather than discipline-specific jargon) would be helpful. • Nominees are encouraged to suggest to the individual writing a supporting letter to clearly identify

their professional status, vantage point, or area of expertise. • The supporting materials should make clear how the faculty member infuses community

engagement in research/creative works and experiential learning that impacts the region. In this category, letters from persons in the community who can attest to the impact of the activities are especially useful.

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Excellence Award in Sustainability Education

Award Description The Faculty Excellence Award in Sustainability Education recognizes, encourages, and rewards faculty and their contributions to infuse sustainability through teaching, research/creative works, and service in alignment with UTRGV’s Strategic Plan. There will be one Award in this category and includes a $5,000 stipend. Eligibility for Award

1. All full-time UTRGV faculty members, except for those in a visiting capacity, who have completed at the time of nomination two or more full academic years of consecutive service at UTRGV are eligible to be nominated.

2. Faculty members with part-time administrative appointments may be nominated. Full-time administrators are ineligible for nomination.

3. Nominated faculty members must NOT have been a recipient of a University Excellence Award in the same category at UTRGV or one of the legacy institutions within the previous five academic years.

4. Nominated faculty members must NOT have been recipients of a University Excellence Award in any category at UTRGV within the previous three academic years.

Criteria The selection criteria are the following.

1. Contributions to sustainability education recognized locally, regionally, and/or nationally for their impact.

2. Demonstrated leadership in infusing sustainability in teaching, research/creative works, and service.

3. Promoting an environment in which members of the campus and community initiate sustainable practices in their personal and professional lives

The Committee will look for evidence of the criteria mentioned above.

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Faculty Excellence Awards Program 2019 – 2020

Excellence Award in Sustainability Education

Instructions for Preparation of Nomination/Application Packets One PDF file should be assembled for each Faculty Excellence Award nominee that includes the items described below. Clearly identify the nominee and category in the name of the PDF file (e.g., JaneVaquero_Sustainability). Submit the PDF to OFSD (FacultySuccess@utrgv.edu) no later than the deadline in this call. It is expected to conform to the page limits specified in these instructions. Nominations that do not adhere to these instructions are subject to disqualification.

Nomination/Application Packet Contents 1. Cover Page, containing the following information:

a. Excellence Award Category.b. Full name of nominee.c. Current position of nominee (title, rank, department/school, and college).d. Number of years in this position as well as total number of years at UTRGV and legacy

institutions.e. UTRGV email address.f. Phone number.

2. Table of Contents3. Letter of Nomination (limited to two pages)

The letter should summarize the nominee’s achievements in the area of the Excellence Award andaddress impact(s).

4. Nominee’s Abbreviated CV (limited to five pages)The abbreviated CV should primarily focus on the nominee’s accomplishments (particularly in thecategory for which the faculty member is nominated) during the last five years.

5. List of Achievements/Activities in the area of the award within the past five yearsFor faculty who have worked for UTRGV and one of the legacy institutions for less than five years,with the exception of nominations for the Research/Scholarship/Creative Work Excellence Award,the list should include only the contributions made at UTRGV and the legacy institution(s).

6. No more than five letters of endorsement (a maximum of one page in length each)Letters of endorsement may be provided from any person who can speak to the Excellence Awardcriteria. Letters from students who are likely to be subsequently advised or evaluated by the facultynominee are discouraged. Individual letters from graduates are appropriate. The perspective orstatus of the authors of the letters should be clearly identified, either in the letter itself or by theperson who prepares the nomination packet.

Tips • The members of the Committee are likely to be from different disciplines than the nominee,

meaning that clear and simple prose (rather than discipline-specific jargon) would be helpful.• Nominees are encouraged to suggest to the individual writing a supporting letter to clearly identify

their professional status, vantage point, or area of expertise.• The supporting materials should make clear how the faculty member infuses sustainability in

teaching, research/ creative works, and service. In this case, letters supporting how the work hasled to changes in sustainability practices are especially useful.

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