• All full-time UTRGV faculty members who, at the time of nomination, have completed at least three consecutive years of full-time service at UTRGV. Part-time faculty and full-time administrators are not eligible for nomination.

• Nominated faculty should NOT have been a recipient of a UTRGV impact (formerly excellence) award in the same category as current nomination within the last five years.

• Nominated faculty should NOT have been a recipient of any UTRGV impact (formerly excellence) award within the last three years.

• Distinguished Career Award Eligibility: Faculty nominees must have at least 20 years of service to UTRGV and its legacy institutions as full-time faculty members. (Intermittent administrative service to UTRGV will count toward the 20 years.)

Faculty Impact Awards in Teaching

Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following:

The nominee demonstrates a documented record of impact in teaching, incorporating innovative practices, and aligning curricular practices with student needs. They are established leaders in their teaching discipline, evidenced by program development, conference presentations, publications, workshops, and/or mentorship. They present an established record of capitalizing on best practices and student and peer feedback to inform them of their pedagogical approach that results in student success. Beyond the classroom, they engage students through efforts such as (not limited to) participation in research and creative activities related to teaching practices, supporting students’ participation in service learning and/or community engagement activities, supervising clinical or field experiences, and mentoring students in career exploration and development. Collectively, the nominee’s teaching portfolio exemplifies a respected professional reputation.

Helpful 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) is helpful.

• Nominees should encourage individuals to write supporting letters clearly identifying their professional status, vantage point, or area of expertise.

• Summaries of the nominee’s student evaluations and peer reviews of their teaching are required.

• Applicants are required to provide materials in their packet that address student learning outcomes assessment.

Application Packet Contents

Applications will be submitted through FPT:

1. Number of years in current rank
2. Total number of years at UTRGV and legacy institutions
   
   

1. Letter of Nomination: Limit two (2) pages
   The letter should summarize the nominee’s achievements in the area of the Impact Award and address impact(s).

2. Nominee’s Abbreviated Teaching CV: Limit five (5) pages
   The abbreviated CV should focus on the nominee’s accomplishments in teaching during the last five years. Areas of attention include courses taught, number of students, teaching awards, publications and conference presentations related to teaching, professional development related to teaching, university, college/school, and national service related to teaching.

3. Teaching Philosophy and Student Impact Statement: Limit one (1) page
   The nominee should be able to articulate a philosophy of teaching that communicates their approach to education, describes their primary goals as a teacher, and explains the impact of that approach on student success.

4. Highlighted Achievements/Activities: Limit three (3) pages
   The highlighted list of achievements should only include work done 1) at UTRGV and 2) in the past five years within the award category. Candidates must provide a narrative of no more than three pages highlighting their teaching practices' quality, impact, innovation, assessment, and significance.

5. Summary of Peer and Student Course Evaluations: Limit two (2) pages
   Provide data from the last 5 years on student course evaluations and peer teaching evaluations. Include the quantitative and relevant qualitative data, including a sampling of student comments supporting teaching philosophy and practices.

6. Letters of Endorsement: Limit one (1) page per letter, max four (4) letters
   Up to four (4) letters of endorsement may be included per packet. Letters may be written by anyone who can speak to the impact award criteria. At least 1 letter must be from a current student (who cannot be currently enrolled in a course with the applicant) or former students who were advised, mentored, or in prior courses instructed by the faculty nominee. However, those from former students/graduates are appropriate. The role/position of the letter’s author and relationship with the nominee should be clearly identified within the letter. Packets should not exceed 19 pages.

Faculty Impact Awards in Research

Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following:

The nominee demonstrates research impact through a robust record of exceptional research/creative work(s) contributions that significantly advance their field, evidenced by outputs such as external grant funding and publications. The nominee's work should showcase innovation and have a measurable impact on their discipline and beyond, as demonstrated by patents, product development, high-impact publications, or widely disseminated creative works through marquee venues. Additionally, the nominee should be recognized for their scholarly leadership by peers and professional organizations, exemplified through awards, conference invitations, editorial roles, leading grant study sections, or organizing workshops that facilitate the success of other faculty and graduate students.

Helpful 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) is helpful.

• Nominees should encourage individuals to write supporting letters clearly identifying their professional status, vantage point, or area of expertise.

• All 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/contributed to the knowledge in the field/discipline. Supporting letters from peers outside of UTRGV are especially useful.

Application Packet Contents

Applications will be submitted through FPT

1. Number of years in current rank
2. Total number of years at UTRGV and legacy institutions

1. Letter of Nomination: Limit two (2) pages
   The letter should summarize the nominee’s achievements in the area of the Impact Award and address impact(s).

2. Nominee’s Abbreviated Research CV: Limit five (5) pages
   The abbreviated CV should focus on the nominee’s accomplishments in research/scholarship/creative works during the last five years. Areas of attention include grants, patents, review panels, creative works, editorial boards, research awards, product development, publications, and conference presentations related to research, university, college/school, national, international, and professional service related to their
   scholarship.

3. Research Impact Statement: Limit one (1) page
   The nominee should be able to articulate their research goals and social impact clearly. Briefly describe how your scholarly work advances this purpose. Explain how your research efforts enhance your expertise and help establish you as a leader committed to improving people's lives.

4. Highlighted Achievements/Activities: Limit three (3) pages
   The highlighted list of achievements should only include work done 1) at UTRGV and 2) in the past five years within the award category. Candidates must provide a narrative of no more than three pages highlighting their scholarship quality, impact, innovation, and significance.

5. Letters of Endorsement: Limit one (1) page per letter, max four (4) letters
   Up to four (4) letters of endorsement may be included per packet. Letters may be written by anyone who can speak to the excellence award criteria. Letters cannot be from students currently enrolled in a course with the applicant. However, those from former students/graduates are appropriate. The role/position of the letter’s author and relationship with the nominee should be clearly identified within the letter. Packets should not exceed 17 pages.

Faculty Impact Awards in Service

Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following:

The nominee demonstrates a robust portfolio of service contributions that have advanced the institutional mission. The nominee's service contributions should have a noteworthy impact on the institution and/or region, gaining local, regional, and/or national recognition. The nominee demonstrates leadership roles such as committee chair, program director, and department chair, contributing to the institution's governance and strategic direction. The nominee actively serves the profession and/or community, enhancing the reputation of the institution and the discipline through professional organizations, editorial boards, conference committees, community outreach, and/or partnerships with schools, businesses, or non-profit organizations. The nominee provides mentorship and professional development opportunities for faculty, students, and/or staff, fostering a supportive and collaborative academic environment.

Helpful 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) is helpful.

• Nominees should encourage individuals to write supporting letters clearly identifying their professional status, vantage point, or area of expertise.

• All supporting materials, including letters of endorsement, should clearly articulate the impact or results of the service activities.

• Highly regarded packets often include letters from both colleagues at UTRGV and individuals in the community who can attest to the impact of the service.

Application Packet Contents

Applications will be submitted through FPT

1. Number of years in current rank
2. Total number of years at UTRGV and legacy institutions
   
   

1. Letter of Nomination: Limit two (2) pages
   The letter should summarize the nominee’s achievements in the area of the Excellence Award and address impact(s).

2. Nominee’s Abbreviated Service CV: Limit five (5) pages
   The abbreviated CV should focus on the nominee’s accomplishments in service during the last five years. Areas of attention include course contributions to committee work, professional service, community engagement, mentorship taught, and institutional leadership.

3. Highlight Achievements/Activities: Limit three (3) pages
   The highlighted list of achievements should only include work done 1) at UTRGV and 2) in the past five years within the award category. Candidates must provide a narrative of no more than three pages highlighting their service contributions, their role, and the impact of these contributions.

4. Letters of Endorsement: Limit one (1) page per letter, max four (4) letters
   Up to four (4) letters of endorsement may be included per packet. Letters may be written by anyone who can speak to the excellence award criteria. Letters cannot be from students currently enrolled in a course with the applicant. However, those from former students/graduates are appropriate. The role/position of the letter’s author and relationship with the nominee should be clearly identified within the letter. Packets should not exceed 16 pages.

The UTRGV Distinguished Career Award

Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following:

The evaluation committee seeks an exemplary applicant for a career award who has made significant contributions to UTRGV and its legacy institutions for 20 years or more. The nominee should demonstrate a significant impact on the institution's teaching and/or research/scholarship mission. The impact on teaching should be demonstrated by innovative pedagogy, a positive impact on student success, curriculum development, development and improvement of academic programs, mentorship, and/or recognition through awards, honors, or recognitions from the institution or professional organizations. The impact on research and scholarly contributions should be demonstrated through a robust publication record, securing substantial grants, producing impactful research or training programs, and/or leading collaborative projects that have substantially impacted faculty and student success. Service to the institution and community is also essential, with leadership roles, active participation in professional organizations, community engagement, and mentorship. The nominee's impact on the success of others, including mentorship and the success of alumni and faculty, should be noteworthy, highlighting their long-term influence and commitment to excellence.

Helpful 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) is helpful

• Nominees should encourage individuals writing supporting letters to clearly identify their professional role as it relates to the nominee as well as relay their vantage point and area of expertise.

• The supporting materials should clearly articulate the impact the faculty member has had in multiple areas over the course of their time at UTRGV and its legacy institutions.

• It is highly recommended applicants provide letters from former students, colleagues, and/or administrators, in addition to current peers/students, that can demonstrate the longevity of excellence.

Application Packet Contents

1. Number of years in current rank
2. Total number of years at UTRGV and legacyinstitutions
   
   

1. Letter of Nomination: Limit two (2) pages
   The letter should summarize the nominee’s achievements in the area of the Excellence Award and address impact(s).

2. Nominee’s CV: No limit
   The CV should be cumulative for their career and include areas of success in teaching, research, and service.

3. Summary Statement of Institutional Impact: Limit two (2) pages
   The nominee should be able to articulate their collective impact on the institution with attention to faculty and student success.

4. Highlighted Achievements/Activities: Limit six (6) pages
   The highlighted list of achievements should include work done at UTRGV and legacy institutions over 20+ years. Candidates must provide a narrative of no more than six pages highlighting their impact on institutional growth in areas of teaching, research, and/or service.

5. Summary of Student/Faculty Success: Limit three (3) pages
   Provide data from the last 20+ years highlighting student and faculty impact. Include examples of (not all 20 years) former students and mentees’ success (i.e., graduate school, professional school, occupation). Also include, if applicable, faculty success data (i.e. Developmental workshops, scholarship produced, policy and procedure implemented contributing to faculty success).

6. Letters of Endorsement: Limit one (1) page per letter, max four (4) letters 
   Up to four (4) letters of endorsement may be included per packet. Letters may be written by anyone who can speak to the excellence award criteria. Letters cannot be from a current student currently enrolled in a course with the applicant. However, those from former students/graduates are appropriate. The role/position of the letter’s author and relationship with the nominee should be clearly identified within the letter.