College of Natural Sciences

CNS Dean's Faculty Awards for Superior Achievement

The Dean's Faculty Awards for Superior Achievement are presented each year to recognize outstanding professors in the College of Natural Sciences. The three faculty awards recognize teaching excellence in departmental programs, teaching excellence in the Lliberal Arts Core, and superior achievement in research. Each faculty awardee receives $500 and an engraved plaque, to be presented at the CNS faculty meeting in the following fall semester. (The Dean's Student Award recognizes superior achievement and service to the College.)

Teaching Excellence in Departmental Programs

Criteria

• The ability to guide and inspire students to grow professionally in courses applied to major, minor, pre-professional (including mathematics and science education), or graduate programs in a way that extends beyond mere popularity with students
• The ability to foster and encourage intellectual inquiry in the classroom and/or laboratory through the generation of new ideas, the discovery of new information, and the development of new skills in a cooperative effort with students
• The development and implementation of stimulating and successful teaching strategies and pedagogy in courses associated with departmental programs

Eligibility

Any tenured or tenure-track faculty member, including a department head, in the College of Natural Sciences who has not received the award in the last five years is eligible.

Selection Process

Students currently enrolled in a major, minor, pre-professional, or graduate program in a given academic unit (defined as a CNS department, the math education group, or the science education group) may each nominate one faculty member from their academic unit. Final selection will be made by the Dean's Student Advisory Committee by May 1.

Teaching Excellence in the Liberal Arts Core

Criteria

• The ability to guide and inspire students in Liberal Arts Core courses in a way that extends beyond mere popularity with students
• The ability to encourage and foster intellectual inquiry in the classroom and/or laboratory through the generation of new ideas, the discovery of new information, and the development of new skills in a cooperative effort with students
• The development and implementation of stimulating and successful teaching strategies and pedagogy in Liberal Arts Core courses

Eligibility

Any faculty member, permanent or temporary, in the College of Natural Sciences who has not received this award in the last five years is eligible.

Selection Process

Each department head may nominate, by April 1, one faculty member from his or her department based on the stated criteria. Final selection will be made by the Council of Department Heads by May 1.

Superior Achievement in Research

Criteria

• Books or articles published in refereed research journals in one's discipline
• A record of external grant applications and successful support
• Contributed and invited research papers at professional conferences, symposia, workshops, etc.
• Student involvement in one's research

Eligibility

Any tenured or tenure-track faculty member in the College of Natural Sciences who has not received the award in the last five years is eligible.

Selection Process

Each department head may nominate, by April 1, one faculty member from his or her department based on the stated criteria and after receiving input from students in the department. Final selection will be made by the Council of Department Heads by May 1.