Provost Faculty Awards
Provost Faculty Award Criteria
The Provost is pleased to announce three recognitions for our faculty: one for teaching innovation; one for teaching excellence; and one for excellence in advising. All faculty members, including adjunct faculty are eligible to receive these awards. The award includes a pin and certificate. Nominations will open twice a year, towards the conclusion of each semester. The criteria for each award is listed below.
Teaching Innovation
Innovative teaching involves dynamic methods that foster engagement, critical thinking, and real-world application. Innovative teachers employ creative pedagogies such as project-based learning, flipped classrooms, and gamification, adapting to diverse student needs and interests. They integrate technology for interactive learning experiences, utilizing apps, multimedia resources, and virtual simulations.
Prioritizing student-centered approaches, innovative teachers promote active learning, inquiry, and collaboration. They contextualize content within broader societal contexts, emphasizing interdisciplinary connections and real-world relevance. Facilitating hands-on experiences and group projects, they enable students to apply theoretical knowledge practically.
Innovative teachers embrace flexibility in curriculum design and instructional delivery, continuously seeking feedback and reflecting on their practice. They foster a growth mindset, learning from successes and failures to improve teaching effectiveness. Through their dynamic approach, they inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and readiness for an ever-changing world.
Excellence in Advising
Excellence in academic advising encompasses a multifaceted approach that prioritizes the holistic development and success of students. It is characterized by several key components:
- Personalized Guidance: Excellent academic advising tailors guidance to individual student needs, recognizing their unique strengths, weaknesses, goals, and aspirations. Comprehensive Support: Advising goes beyond course selection and scheduling to encompass broader academic and personal development. Advisors assist students in navigating academic requirements, exploring major and career options, identifying research opportunities, and accessing campus resources for academic and personal support.
- Accessibility and Availability: Excellent advisors are accessible and approachable, offering timely responses to inquiries and providing multiple avenues for communication, including in-person meetings, email, phone calls, and virtual appointments. Expertise and Knowledge: Advisors possess a deep understanding of academic policies, degree requirements, curriculum pathways, and campus resources. They stay informed about changes in academic programs and requirements and continuously seek professional development opportunities to enhance their advising skills and knowledge.
- Empowerment and Advocacy: Excellent advisors empower students to take ownership of their academic and personal growth by fostering self-awareness, self-advocacy, and decision-making skills.
- Cultural Competence and Inclusivity: Advisors demonstrate cultural competence and inclusivity by respecting and valuing students' diverse backgrounds, identities, and perspectives. They create an inclusive advising environment where all students feel welcomed, respected, and supported regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or abilities.
- Continuous Assessment and Improvement: Excellent academic advising is characterized by a commitment to continuous assessment and improvement. Advisors solicit feedback from students, colleagues, and stakeholders to evaluate advising practices and identify areas for enhancement. They adapt their approaches to meet evolving student needs and institutional goals effectively.
In summary, excellence in academic advising is marked by personalized guidance, comprehensive support, accessibility, expertise, empowerment, advocacy, cultural competence, inclusivity, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By embodying these principles, advisors play a vital role in promoting student success, retention, and graduation outcomes.
Teaching Excellence
Excellence in teaching encompasses several key components:
- Mastery of Subject Matter: Excellent teachers possess deep knowledge and expertise, conveying complex concepts clearly and relevantly while staying updated in their field.
- Effective Communication: They engage students through clear communication, fostering dialogue and feedback to promote understanding.
- Engagement and Inspiration: Excellent teachers inspire curiosity and passion for learning, using varied methods and real-world examples to captivate students' interest.
- Adaptability and Differentiation: They adapt teaching strategies to accommodate diverse student needs, employing personalized approaches to ensure all students succeed.
- Student-Centered Approach: Prioritizing students' individual needs, they create supportive, inclusive environments built on positive relationships and mutual respect.
- Assessment and Feedback: They use fair, meaningful assessments and timely feedback to support student growth and inform instructional decisions.
- Lifelong Learning: Excellent teachers are lifelong learners, seeking professional development opportunities and staying informed about best practices.
- Impact and Reflection: They profoundly impact students' lives, inspiring critical thinking and a love of learning, while continually reflecting on and improving their practice.
In summary, excellence in teaching involves mastery of subject matter, effective communication, engagement, adaptability, student-centeredness, assessment, lifelong learning, and reflection. Through these qualities and practices, teachers shape students' academic, personal, and intellectual growth.
Previous Award Winners
Teaching Innovation
- Fall 2025- Holly Jo & Tanu Altomare
- Spring 2025- Ben Coleman & Danielle Costanzo
- Fall 2024- Samuel Rhodes & Kayti Protos
- Spring 2024- Yvette McCoy & Monica Kaniamattam
Excellence in Advising
- Fall 2025- Danielle Costanzo & Ed Nolan
- Spring 2025- Shirley Guider & Shannon Talbott
- Fall 2024- Colin Tomes & Natasha Woods
- Spring 2024- Colleen Payton & Jennifer Maloney
Teaching Excellence
- Fall 2025- Katie Hovencamp & Ellen Payne
- Spring 2025- Elise Colancecco & Natessa Amin
- Fall 2024- Michael Fraboni & Michael Steimling
- Spring 2024- Jennifer Ostrowski & Jamie Paxton