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Awards

The recipients of all excellence in teaching, research, and service awards are determined by the Faculty Awards Committee, which is appointed by the provost. Candidates for awards may be nominated by students, faculty, alumni, and administrators, or may be self-nominated.

Faculty who are nominated and are qualified for the various awards will receive an email from Watermark - Faculty Success to upload their dossiers for consideration of the awards. The Faculty Awards Committee will thereafter determine the recipients of each award.

Teaching Awards

The criteria for excellent teaching as established in 1994 are based upon the following categories: (1) Instructional Delivery Skills, (2) Instructional Design Skills, (3) Content Expertise, (4) Course Management, (5) Student Mentoring, and (6) Personal Attributes/Teaching Philosophy.

Board of Governors’ Excellence in Teaching Award ($12,500)

Board of Governors’ Excellence in Teaching Award Nomination Form

Due date October 15, 2023

Criteria for the Board of Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching were established for the UNC system.

To be eligible for nomination for the Board of Governors’ Award a faculty member must

  • have earned tenure at WSSU;
  • have taught at WSSU for at least seven years; and
  • be teaching in the academic year selected.

No faculty member may be eligible to receive this award more than once while teaching at any UNC institution.

Wells Fargo Excellence in Teaching Award ($4,500)

Wells Fargo Excellence in Teaching Nomination Form

Due date October 15, 2023

To be eligible for nomination for the Wells Fargo Excellence in Teaching Award a faculty member must

  • have taught at WSSU for at least two years (prior to nomination);
  • have demonstrated excellent or exceptional teaching ability over a sustained period of time (e.g., two years); and
  • be teaching in the academic year selected.

No faculty member may be eligible to receive the Wells Fargo Excellence in Teaching Award more than once.

Each nominee must complete the formal application process to be considered for one of the teaching awards. The application requires the submission of a teaching portfolio, photograph, and classroom instruction video. Additionally, classroom observations are conducted by the Faculty Awards Committee.

Master Teacher Awards ($3,500 each)

Master Teacher Awards Nomination Form

Due date October 15, 2023

  • Joseph Patterson Master Teacher Award
  • Bill Sheppard Master Teacher Award
  • John Fountain Master Teacher Award
  • Wilma Lassiter Master Teacher Award
  • Willie Burke Master Teacher Award

To be eligible for nomination for one of the WSSU Master Teacher Awards a faculty member must

  • Have taught at WSSU for at least two years (prior to nomination)
  • Have demonstrated excellent or exceptional teaching ability over a sustained period of time (e.g., two years
  • Teach in the academic year selected
  • Engaged in high impact practices across undergraduate and graduate curriculum
  • Curriculum will be relevant, coherent, and diverse and will offer students a broad exposure to academia and the ways knowledge is produced
  • Opportunities to become global citizens will be integrated throughout the teaching experience
  • Curriculum will provide opportunities to promote social justice learning
Faculty may receive the Master Teacher Award more than once

Each nominee must complete the formal application process to be considered for one of the teaching awards. The application requires the submission of a teaching portfolio, photograph, and classroom instruction video. Additionally, classroom observations are conducted by the Faculty Awards Committee.

Research and Service Awards

Wilveria B. Atkinson Distinguished Research Award ($3,500)

Wilveria B. Atkinson Distinguished Research Award Nomination Form

Due date October 15, 2023

Any faculty member who meets the following criteria may be nominated for the Wilveria B. Atkinson Distinguished Research Award:

  • Has taught at WSSU for at least five years
  • Is recognized as being an outstanding scholar, as scholarship is defined in his/her discipline
  • Demonstrated research that will strengthen and support liberal education
  • Research that involves high impact practices
  • Research that offers opportunity for global preparation for students that is integrated in the learning experience
  • Research that involves co-curricular engagement that will develop essential skills that supports the education experience

A nominee for this award should submit a research portfolio or a service portfolio with supporting documentation.

Cedric S. Rodney Service Award ($3,500)

Cedric S. Rodney Service Award Nomination Form

Due date October 15, 2023

Any faculty member who meets the following eligibility requirements may be nominated for the Cedric S. Rodney Distinguished Service Award:

  • Has taught at WSSU for at least three years
  • Service that supports and builds commitment to social justice through enhanced community engagement on the campus, the local community and nationally
  • Service that impacts student learning outcomes
  • Hosting students to participate in discipline specific professional organizations and conferences to gain exposure to professional field
  • Coordinating student events that will advance issues of social justice

A nominee for this award should submit a research portfolio or a service portfolio with supporting documentation.

Students’ Choice Teaching Award ($2,000)

Students’ Choice Teaching Award Nomination Form

Due date February 19, 2022

The Students’ Choice Teaching Award selection committee chooses a recipient of this award each year from nominations solicited from WSSU students. Any regular faculty member may be nominated, a process which entails a student filling out the Students’ Choice Teaching Award nomination form and providing a detailed reasoning for the nomination. Further information can be found on the nomination form.