CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR DEPARTMENT OR PROGRAM

On behalf of the Board of Regents, the USG Office of Academic Affairs is pleased to announce and invite nominations for the Regents’ Teaching Excellence Awards for Department or Program. This award is designed to showcase an outstanding department or program that promotes, supports, and recognizes excellence in teaching and innovative approaches to serving students.

Award Criteria

Nominations will be evaluated based on persuasive evidence of excellence in the following areas:

1. Commitment to Teaching and Learning
   The department or program demonstrates a strong and collaborative faculty commitment to improving teaching and student learning through intentional strategies, professional development, and reflective practices.
    
2. Pedagogical Innovation and Student Engagement
   Faculty employ creative and effective teaching methods that support student engagement, help students discover purpose and value in their coursework, and foster academic resilience and belonging.
    
3. Program-Level Collaboration and Integration
   Teaching excellence is supported beyond individual courses—through team teaching, interdisciplinary approaches, program-wide alignment, common assessments, mentoring, learning communities, or partnerships with other campus units or external organizations.
    
4. Use of Assessment to Improve Teaching
   The department uses a variety of assessment methods to evaluate student learning and uses this data to inform teaching practices, enhance curriculum, and respond to student needs.
    
5. Support and Recognition of Good Teaching
   The department actively supports faculty who implement effective pedagogies and recognizes and celebrates excellent teaching practices across the unit.
    
6. Student Success Outcomes
   Provides evidence of student achievement and success, such as graduation, retention, job placement, or acceptance into graduate/professional programs.
    
7. Shared Philosophy and Definition of Quality
   The department clearly articulates how it defines, promotes, and assesses quality teaching as a collective effort.

Eligibility and Nomination Procedures

Each USG institution may submit one nomination for a department or program that exemplifies outstanding teaching. Nominations should be coordinated by academic leadership and must be endorsed by the institution’s chief academic officer.

Required Documentation

Nomination portfolios must not exceed 15 pages total, including supporting materials (1-inch margins, minimum 12-point font). Portfolios that exceed the limit or do not follow formatting guidelines will not be accepted.

All portfolios should include the following components:

1. Table of Contents
   A list of all portfolio components.
   (Note: Does not count toward the 15-page limit.)
    
2. Nomination Letter (1–2 pages)
   A letter from the institution’s chief academic officer endorsing the nomination and highlighting why the department or program merits recognition.
   (Note: Does not count toward the 15-page limit.)
    
3. Narrative Statement (2–3 pages)
   A clear and cohesive narrative that outlines the department’s or program’s teaching philosophy, shared goals, and strategies to support instructional excellence and student success. This narrative should respond directly to the award criteria and reflect the collective efforts of the faculty.
    
4. Fact Profile (1 page)
   A brief overview of the department or program, including:
   • Personnel involved
   • Scope and scale of student impact
   • Institutional partnerships or collaborations
   • Recognitions, awards, or honors
      
5. Student Success Data (1 page)
   A summary of student outcome data such as:
   • Graduation and retention rates
   • Job placement or licensure rates
   • Acceptance into graduate or professional schools
     (Tables or bullet points are acceptable. Context or explanation may be included briefly.)
      
6. Evidence of Excellence (4+ pages)
   This section is the heart of the portfolio. It should include a curated selection of materials that demonstrate strong performance in each of the award criteria. A narrative should be woven throughout to explain the significance and context of each piece. Examples may include:
   • Syllabi, assignments, or curriculum materials showing innovative pedagogy
   • Documentation of collaborative teaching practices
   • Evidence of assessment-informed improvement
   • Faculty development or mentoring activities
   • Internal or external recognition of teaching excellence

Submission Guidelines

• All materials must be combined into a single PDF file and submitted through the Regents Portfolio Submission System.
• Portfolios must follow formatting guidelines (1-inch margins, minimum 12-point font) and not exceed 15 pages.
• Reviewers will assess only the contents of the portfolio. Links to external materials will not be reviewed.

Award Committee

A special committee composed of faculty and administrators from across the USG who are experienced in teaching and learning practices will review the nomination portfolios and recommend finalists for each award.

The winner of this award will be recognized at a spring meeting of the Board of Regents.