Excellence in Off-Campus Teaching

Quick Jump:
I. Overview
II. Calendar
III. Eligibility
IV. Evaluation Criteria
V. Nominations
VI. Selection
VII. Submission
VIII. Other Awards
IX. Attachments

Overview

Faculty members or instructors who teach as part of the academic outreach credit program are eligible for the Campus Award for Excellence in Off-Campus Teaching.  The award consists of $5,000 in cash for the personal use of the individual selected, and $1,000 for the award recipient’s academic unit for use to further develop the program.  Each winner will also receive a personalized commemorative plaque.

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Calendar

January 29, 2010: Nominations are due by 5:00 p.m.
April 27, 2010: Celebration for Teaching Excellence, 7pm, Alice Campbell Alumni Center.

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Eligibility

  • Rank of instructor or above.
  • Taught on the Urbana-Champaign campus for at least 7 years.
  • Taught at least three credit courses administered by the Division of Academic Outreach in the past seven years.  NOTE:  Academic Outreach courses co-listed with campus courses are not eligible courses for this purpose. 
  • Has not won this award in the previous 5 years.

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Evaluation Criteria

  • Sustained excellence in off-campus teaching.
  • Positive impact on off-campus student learning.
  • Innovative approaches to teaching off-campus students.
  • Effective use of technology and media when used to teach at off-campus sites or through distance education instructional delivery methods.
  • Creativity in course development and instruction.
  • Sensitivity to the advising needs of off-campus students.
  • Influence on the quality, extent and development of the department's Academic Outreach program.

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Nominations

  • Academic Outreach will send all students enrolled in off-campus courses a letter announcing the award and requesting suggestions for nomination.
  • Nominations may be submitted by students, faculty members, administrators, alumni or regional program directors.
  • Nominations are submitted either to the Head of Academic Outreach or to the appropriate department.  Nominations sent to the Head of Academic Outreach will be forwarded to the department. 
  • Departments may present one nomination to the Review Committee per academic year.  All nominations submitted to the Review Committee must be initiated and supported by the department.

For ease of writing the nomination and committee evaluation, please follow this outline when submitting your nomination

  • The standard cover page (Attachment A) needs to be completed, including the appropriate signatures.   (Not to exceed 1 page.)
  • A statement of evidence to support each of the criteria itemized in the “Evaluation Criteria” section above.  (Not to exceed 3 pages.) 
  • A teaching and learning philosophy statement provided by the nominee.  This statement should include a discussion of the challenges, methods, and goals of teaching off-campus or on-line courses.  (Not to exceed 2 pages.)
  • A separate one-page summary of the off-campus/online courses taught including the semester, location, and enrollment.
  • A longitudinal ICES profile from the Center for Teaching Excellence (Attachment B).  (Not to exceed 1 page.)
  • Two letters of support from students, preferably one from a student currently enrolled at UIUC and one from an alumnus.  (See Attachment C for a sample solicitation letter.)  (Not to exceed 2 pages each.)

    NOTE: Letters from students should be solicited by the selection committee, not the nominee. The nominee may be asked to suggest some names and the department should add some names.

  • Optional: Two letters from individuals or organizations commenting on the impact of the candidate's off-campus activities on their field or organization. (Not to exceed 3 pages.)

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Selection

The Review Committee shall consist of the faculty recipient(s) from the previous year, a faculty member experienced in off-campus teaching appointed by the Head of Academic Outreach, one off-campus or returning adult graduate student, one representative from the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and one representative from the Center for Teaching Excellence.  The Head of Academic Outreach will chair the Committee without voting privileges, except in the case of a tie.

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Submission

Two copies of the final nomination materials are to be sent to Faye Lesht, 901 W. University Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801; MC-260.

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Other Awards

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Attachments

List of Past Winners

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Programs & Courses / Teaching and Advancement Board / Awards for Excellence in Instruction / Campus Award for Excellence in Off-Campus Teaching