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About University Faculty Awards

American University annually recognizes outstanding faculty who have made significant contributions in the areas of teaching, scholarship, and service.

2025 Nomination and Selection Process 

Nomination Deadline: TBD
Supplemental Materials Deadline (for nominees): TBD

 Nomination Form   Faculty Awards FAQ

AU students, faculty, and staff may nominate faculty for University Faculty Awards within the categories below. 

  • Nominators provide a nomination narrative and nominees have an opportunity to upload additional supporting documents. Academic units will create an SET summary for nominees in teaching categories.
  • From this initial pool of nominations, the deans of Kogod, OGPS, SOC, SOE, SIS, SPA, and WCL, as well as the university librarian, will select and forward up to one nominee for each category to the Office of the Provost. The dean of CAS may forward up to two nominees.
  • The Office of the Provost will work with the Faculty Senate's University Faculty Awards Committee to select the final recipients. 

The Faculty Award for Inclusive Excellence (formerly the Faculty Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) is given to a faculty member who demonstrates a distinguished record of advancing excellence through diversity and inclusion in the following areas: effective use of inclusive pedagogy and cultivation of an inclusive learning community (regardless of subject area taught), meaningful student mentorship to support student success and sense of belonging (especially among historically marginalized students), and/or effective development of programs, practices, or research initiatives that promote diversity, inclusivity and equity at AU or in scholarship, policy, or practice more broadly. Special consideration is given to applications that demonstrate collaboration across units and roles at AU. This award includes a $2,000 prize as part of the recognition. The faculty member must have a full-time appointment during AY2024-2025.

The Morton Bender Prize is given to a faculty member who has been tenured within the previous four years. The purpose of the prize is to recognize an important research, scholarly, creative endeavor, or professional achievement since attainment of the rank of associate professor and to facilitate the faculty member's progress towards the rank of full professor. Through the generosity of Morton Bender, the university will award $2,000 to the recipient of the prize. The faculty member must have a full-time appointment during AY2024-2025. 

The Outstanding Community Engagement Award is given to a faculty member who is a leader in teaching, outreach, or scholarship initiatives defined by innovative and mutually beneficial university-community partnerships. The award recognizes the recipient's sustained record of reciprocal collaboration and demonstrated impact, which may include community-based and community-informed social change, knowledge creation, problem solving, and capacity building, as well as student learning and thriving. Ideally, the faculty member has made exceptional engagement with communities in the DC region central to their approach, but outstanding work with other communities also will be eligible for consideration. This award includes a $2,000 prize as part of the recognition. The faculty member must have a full-time appointment during AY2024-2025.

The Outstanding Contribution to Fostering Collaborative Scholarship Award recognizes an individual or a group of faculty fostering collaborative work on large-scale, high-impact scholarly initiatives, with a focus on internal collaboration at AU. The award may be granted to any leading, multi-investigator, scholarly engagement involving AU faculty members—including, but not limited to, shared efforts related to the areas of strategic focus identified in AU’s strategic plan. As part of the recognition, this award includes a $2,000 prize to be used to sustain or advance the collaborative work upon which the award is granted. The faculty member must have a full-time appointment during AY2024-2025.

The Outstanding Scholarship, Research, Creative Activity, and Other Professional Contributions Award is given to a faculty member who has achieved distinction as a scholar as documented through publications; invited lectures and papers; performances or shows; leadership in professional societies; work on editorial boards; procurement of major grants; membership in prestigious professional organizations; references, quotes, or appearances in the media; or selective positions of leadership. The faculty member's record of achievement should reflect sustained contributions to the university over many years. This award includes $2,000 as part of the recognition. The faculty member must have a full-time appointment during AY2024-2025.

The Outstanding Service to the University Community Award is given to a faculty member who demonstrates exceptional contributions to the university community as shown through leadership in faculty governance or administrative work; mentoring of student activities; sponsorship of university events; or initiation of new services for students, faculty, and other members of the university community. The faculty member's record of achievement should reflect sustained contributions to the university over many years. This award includes $2,000 as part of the recognition. The faculty member must have a full-time appointment during AY2024-2025.

The Outstanding Teaching in a Full-Time Appointment Award is given to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in teaching as documented by student evaluations; other assessments of teaching; success of former students; descriptions of new courses or curricula; development of a new program; integration of innovative approaches to teaching and learning; or notable work beyond the classroom setting, such as recognition for advising, sponsorship of student honor societies, collaboration with students in research projects, and active participation with students in professional activities. The faculty member's record of achievement should reflect sustained contributions to the university over many years. This award includes a $2,000 prize as part of the recognition. The faculty member must have a full-time appointment during AY2024-2025.

The Outstanding Teaching in an Adjunct Appointment Award is given to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in teaching as documented by student evaluations; other assessments of teaching; originality of course; and integration of innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Ideally, the candidate should have significant full-time professional status outside the university and a record of achievement that reflects sustained contributions to the university. This award includes $2,000 as part of the recognition. The faculty member must have a part-time appointment during AY2024-2025.

The Scholar/Teacher of the Year must demonstrate outstanding and significant scholarly contributions to the university and discipline; exceptional teaching as documented by student evaluations or other assessment of teaching; a commitment to high standards within one's professional life; recognized concern for students and colleagues; and sensitivity to the mission of the university. This award includes a $5,000 prize and customarily rewards full professors, either tenured or term. The faculty member must have a full-time appointment during AY2024-2025.

Contact

Sara Biggs
Office of the Provost
(202) 885-2128
sbiggs@american.edu

 

Faculty & Staff Collaboration Award

Find out more about the Faculty & Staff Collaboration Award designed to promote and reward outstanding collaborative efforts between faculty and staff at AU. More information on the Staff Awards page.

Past Recipients

View past recipients of the Student, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni Awards. We applaud their continued great work and success on and off campus!

View Past Recipients