Sponsor
University of Arizona Foundation
Purpose
This award recognizes excellence in the art of teaching at all levels, but the Foundation places particular emphasis on teaching at the undergraduate level.
Award
One $2,500 award and the placement of a plaque in the Donna Swaim Honors Lounge in the Student Union Memorial Center.
Number of Awards
Up to one award may be made each year.
Criteria
Unusually outstanding teaching methodologies; a demonstrated effort to ensure the quality of students' learning experiences; and consistently high scholarly standard in both rigor and currency of course content.
Eligible candidates are tenured, tenure-eligible, and multi-year career-track faculty who have a long-standing association (five years) with the University.
Candidates may be nominated by students, parents, faculty, department heads or deans.
Nomination Process
Nomination packages must include:
- A letter of nomination containing the names(s) of the nominator(s)
- Nominee's current curriculum vitae
- Statement of teaching philosophy (2-4 pages)
- Teaching documentation including descriptions of teaching methods and techniques (2-4 pages)
- Evaluation summaries from students across courses for the past three years. This may include both TCEs and SCSs. We acknowledge that SCSs were not collected in Spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, and were offered as an opt-in for Fall 2020. Thus, student evaluations from Spring and Fall 2020 will not be required.
- Letters of recommendation from students (maximum of 6)
- Letters of recommendations from peers and relevant administrators (maximum of 3)
The nomination letter and letters of recommendation should highlight the nominee's creative and innovative contributions to teaching.
The University recognizes the wide range of skills and talents that faculty bring to our thriving academic community, which drive innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving. The University of Arizona is committed to fostering a culture of recognition and encourages the nomination of individuals of all experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. Additionally, the University values the significant contributions nominees make to advancing its land-grant mission.
Submission of Materials
Materials must be submitted online through Arizona Cultivate.
Review the nomination packet carefully before submitting to make sure that all of the required material is accurate and included. Packets that are incomplete may be delayed.
Selection Process
The nomination packet should be sent to the college deans. The dean will submit ranked nominations from their college before the nomination is submitted to Arizona Cultivate for review by a university-wide committee. The committee will not see the dean's ranking until members convene to review the nominations.
Notification of the award winners will be sent to the individual, the dean of the college and the nomination contact person in early March. Notification of nominations that were not selected will be sent to the dean of the college and the contact person or an appropriate senior member of the nominating team.
Selection Process
This award will be recognized at the annual Awards of Distinction Luncheon and Ceremony held in Spring at the Student Union Memorial Center to honor the recipients of the University of Arizona highest faculty teaching honors.
Due Date
Monday, December 9, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Awardees will be announced by the end of April, 2025.
For More Information
Please contact: Dr. Adrián Arroyo, +1 (520) 621-2121 or email arroyopa@arizona.edu.