Overview

A well-crafted nomination for this award would clearly address sustained excellence and innovation in undergraduate advising. Up to two recipients will be selected to receive this award: one faculty member: tenure-system or specialized, and one professional academic advisor. The award consists of an honorarium and a personalized commemorative plaque.

Eligibility

Faculty:

Tenure-system or specialized, with a non-primary advising role who have served as an academic advisor at the undergraduate level on the Urbana-Champaign campus for at least 5 years as of the first day of the current academic year.
Has not won this award in the previous 10 years

Professional Advisors:

Served as an academic advisor at the undergraduate level on the Urbana-Champaign campus for at least 5 years as of the first day of the current academic year.
Has not won this award in the previous 10 years

Graduate Assistant advisors are not eligible for this award.

Evaluation Criteria

Sustained excellence in undergraduate advising;
Positive impact on undergraduate students and their intellectual development through sustained academic advising relationships;
Innovative approaches to undergraduate advising;
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and,
Other contributions to improve undergraduate advising (e.g., engaging students in innovative advising activities; developing student advising materials; leading workshops on student advising; impacting other student advisers; or impacting departmental or college advising methods; etc.)

Nominations

A nomination may be submitted by students, faculty members, administrators, or alumni, and should be submitted to a departmental selection committee.

Individuals who have been nominated during a particular year should not serve on the departmental selection committee during that same year.

Nomination packets must include all materials described below. Please follow this outline when submitting a nomination:

The standard cover page (Attachment A) with the appropriate signatures.
A nomination letter addressing each of the Evaluation Criteria described above. The nomination letter should indicate why the nominee is exceptional as an excellent advisor of undergraduate students. (Not to exceed 3 pages.)
A philosophy statement provided by the nominee. This statement should include a discussion of the challenges, methods, and goals of undergraduate advising including a well-articulated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through their advising. (Not to exceed 2 pages.)
Two letters of support* from students, preferably one from a student currently enrolled at Illinois and one from an alumnus. (See Attachment C for a sample solicitation letter.) (Not to exceed 2 pages each.)

*Letters from students should be solicited by the departmental selection committee, not the nominee. The nominee may be asked to suggest names.

Attachments

Attachment A: Nomination Cover Sheet (you must download the form to complete it)
Attachment C: Sample Letter Request from Former Student

Assistance

For more information about Campus Awards for Excellence in Instruction, contact the Office of the Provost at tab-awards@illinois.edu or 217-333-6677.