Professional Development

Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Awards Guidelines

The Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Awards recognize excellence, innovation and effectiveness in teaching in our undergraduate programs.

AWARD DESCRIPTION

The goal of the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award program is to encourage excellence in teaching at the undergraduate level. The University intends to ensure that the foundation courses of the undergraduate curriculum receive the proper emphasis in preparing students for work in the major, as well as providing the proper foundation in critical thinking, problem-solving, and written and oral communication skills. 

Up to eleven winners will be selected as recipients of the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, with each winner awarded $2,000 (less normal payroll taxes). Top three awardees with highest rubric scores will receive additional $1500 (less normal payroll taxes).

SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF APPLICANTS

Applicants for the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Awards must be full-time continuing faculty (including Instructors) on any of the USF campuses who taught a minimum of two undergraduate courses during the prior academic year; who were in a continuing faculty position in the prior two academic years; and who have not received this award during the previous five years. Visiting faculty are not eligible, nor are faculty who taught a majority of graduate-level courses during the prior academic year.

The evaluation process will consider evidence of the applicant’s commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching as demonstrated by:

  • Evidence of effective teaching, i.e., teaching that results in demonstrable student learning.
  • Exemplary commitment toward students and the student success initiative.
  • A learning-focused approach to the primary roles of teaching (presenting content, opportunities for student practice, and effective assessment of student performance).
  • Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement.

DESIGN OF APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants self-nominate for the award and submit a digital portfolio (a collection of electronic files combined in one single PDF file).

Required application materials:

  • A cover sheet with the name, rank or title, and unit/program of the applicant.
  • A copy of the applicant’s curriculum vitae or resume.

  • Enclose a link to an online bio of yourself.

  • A short statement (500-1,000 words) describing the applicant’s philosophy of teaching.

  • A short statement (500-1,000 words) describing the activities in teaching during the prior academic year in which the applicant is to be judged, and explaining how the applicant uses specific teaching methods that match the applicant’s philosophy of teaching.
  • A short statement (500-1,000 words) that describes the evidence of student success as a result of the applicant’s efforts; particular attention should be paid to special populations.
  • A short statement (500-1,000 words) that explains how the applicant’s efforts are innovative or particularly successful, and how the applicant is dedicated to continuous improvement in teaching.
  • One-page summary of student evaluation results from the prior two years.
  • Letter of support from the chair/director, which should also certify the student evaluation results as presented by the applicant.

Optional BONUS application materials:

  1. A  list of teaching- related publications in the past three years.

  2. Documentation of classroom observations received by peers or CITL staff.

  3. The development of courses or methods designed to address diverse backgrounds and/or to address learning deficiencies or issues in teaching and learning specific to at-risk populations.

  4. Other work related to teaching that is not adequately reflected otherwise in this rubric.

  5. Link to a short (5 min.) video showing applicants teaching a class and interacting with students.

TIMELINE FOR SUBMISSION AND AWARDING PROCESS

Applications and nominations are to be submitted online using the appropriate links below. Applications must be completed no late than October 1, 2024 at 11:59 PM. For questions, please contact Madeleine Hershberger, Office of the Provost at mhershberger@usf.edu. 

Applications will be reviewed by a committee of faculty members, some of whom will be previous award winners, selected each year by the Provost's designee in consultation with Regional Vice Chancellors. The committee will include representation from all three USF campuses. Each nomination will be reviewed by at least three members of the review committee. No member of the committee may also be an applicant. The committee should consider USF’s Principles of Community.

The committee will make recommendations for awards to the Provost's designee during the fall semester. Notifications of the winners will be sent via email from the Office of the Provost during the fall semester; regrets will be sent by email at the same time.

Applicants submit here.
Nominator submit here.
Download a copy of the rubric.