Peer's Choice Teaching Excellence Awards
In accordance with its mission to recognize and promote effective college teaching, mentoring, and advising, TLC gives "Peers' Choice" awards each year to outstanding faculty members. Awards are given at Convocation in the fall. Pending funding each award features a $300 stipend that can be spent by recipients on any materials, activities, travel, or equipment related to instruction, mentoring or advisement. Candidates need not be tenured or on a tenure track. No candidate may receive an award more than once in a five-year period.
As "Peers’ Choice" awards, these recognitions are based on the knowledgeable evaluations of peers who frequently visit the classes of colleagues, observe colleague achievements in mentoring and advisement, understand the discipline-based competence and pedagogical skills needed for excellent college instruction, and observe through direct assessment the learning in students that emerges from college pedagogy.
The "Excellence in College Pedagogy Award" is given to that professor who, in the opinion of his or her peers, epitomizes the very best in college instruction; someone who has mastered the skills of pedagogy; generates high levels of motivation in students; consistently elicits the best out of students; is noted for creativity, innovation, and risk- taking; inspires both students and colleagues; and continues to study the arts and sciences of college instruction.
The "Excellence in Mentoring Award" is given to that faculty member who, in the opinion of his or her peers, is notable for his or her impact upon colleagues’ or students’ personal and professional growth through personal tutoring, counseling, scholarly activity, and a caring attitude. Great mentors generate motivation and dedication in others who continue in the traditions of a discipline or in the real world applications of that discipline.
The “Excellence in Advisement Award” is given to that faculty member who has made a significant difference in the lives of students, their academic choices, and career development. An adviser who spends quality time with advisees helping them plan their academic and vocational careers; provides helpful advice and materials; uses feedback constructively to improve his or her skills; attends conferences and workshops on advisement; or receives frequent accolades for his or her advising is especially suited for this award. NOTE: advisers can nominate themselves for this award or work with a peer to make the nomination.
To nominate someone for an award, please write a letter in confidence explaining in some detail why your candidate deserves the award, and include any relevant supporting materials. Nominations for the Pedagogy or Mentoring Award should be forwarded to James Bean, Chair of the Teaching and Mentoring Awards team. Nominations for the Advisement Award should be sent to Michelle Eaton, Chair of the Advisement Award team. Nominations can be made at any time to the chairs of the appropriate award but no later than April 1.