Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

Overview

A well-crafted nomination for this award would clearly address sustained excellence and innovation in undergraduate teaching and contributions to undergraduate learning beyond classroom instruction. These are the principal campus awards for excellence in undergraduate teaching. Up to 13 recipients will be chosen (5 members of the faculty, 5 graduate teaching assistants, and 5 members of the instructional staff). The award consists of an honorarium and a personalized commemorative plaque.

Calendar*

Nominations are only accepted from colleges. Contact your college to determine its deadline for departmental submissions.

February 1 – Deadline for college nominations to be submitted.

Early March – Recipient(s) and their nominator(s) will be notified.

April – Awards are presented at the annual Celebration of Teaching Excellence.

*When a deadline falls on a weekend or campus holiday, nominations will be due the next business day.

Eligibility

Faculty:

  • Tenure system faculty on the Illinois campus
  • Taught on the Illinois campus for at least 5 years
  • Has not won this award in the previous 10 years

Specialized Faculty:

  • Specialized faculty on the Illinois campus
  • Taught on the Illinois campus for at least 5 years
  • Has not won this award in the previous 10 years

Teaching Assistants:

  • Taught on the Illinois campus for at least two semesters. The semesters need not have been taught consecutively.

Evaluation Criteria

  • Sustained excellence in undergraduate teaching
  • Innovative approaches to undergraduate teaching
  • The overall positive impact on undergraduate student learning
  • Other contributions to improve undergraduate instruction (e.g., engaging students in the classroom; developing courses and curricula; mentoring graduate teaching assistants; leading workshops on pedagogy; advancing the scholarship of teaching and learning; or making other multidimensional contributions beyond the classroom, laboratory, or studio; etc.)

Nominations

A nomination may be submitted by students, faculty members, administrators, or alumni, and should be submitted to a departmental selection committee.* (See Selection section below for additional information.)

Any academic unit offering undergraduate instruction may nominate no more than one faculty candidate and no more than one member of the instructional staff; however, more than one graduate teaching assistant may be nominated.

*Faculty members, instructional staff, or graduate teaching assistants nominated during a particular year should not be serving on the departmental selection committee during that same year.

Nomination packets must include all materials described below, and should be formatted in 12-point Times New Roman or equivalent font; single-spaced; and 1-inch margins. Please follow this outline when submitting a nomination:

  • The standard cover page (Attachment A) with the appropriate signatures. (Not to exceed 1 page.)
  • A nomination letter addressing each of the Evaluation Criteria described above. The nomination letter should indicate why the nominee is exceptional as an excellent teacher of undergraduate students. (Not to exceed 3 pages.)
  • A teaching and learning philosophy statement provided by the nominee. (Not to exceed 2 pages.)
  • A longitudinal ICES profile from the Center for Teaching Excellence (Attachment B).
  • Two letters of support* from current or past undergraduate students (preferably one current student and one alumnus). (See Attachment C for a sample solicitation letter.) (Not to exceed 2 pages each.)

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

Attachments

Submission

Nominations should be submitted first to a departmental committee. This committee will select its final candidates to forward to the college. (The college may establish a limit for the number of candidates each departmental committee can submit.)

A college committee, which should include at least one undergraduate student member, will select the final candidate nominations to submit to campus. The number of nominations (based roughly on the size of the unit) that each college committee is encouraged to submit to the campus selection committee is as follows:

                                                                   NUMBER OF NOMINEES TO BE SUBMITTED
 FacultySpecialized FacultyGraduate TAs
ACES212
Applied Health Sciences212
Education212
Fine & Applied Arts212
iSchool212
Gies Business323
Grainger Engineering323
Liberal Arts & Sciences646
Social Work212
TOTALS241424

Nominations are only accepted from colleges and must be submitted to tab-awards@illinois.edu. The nomination deadline is 11:59 p.m. February 1. If this date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is 11:59 p.m. the next business day.

Selection

The campus selection process is overseen by the Teaching Advancement Board, and is advisory to the Provost. Recipient(s) and their nominator(s) will be notified by early March. Awards are presented at the annual Celebration of Teaching Excellence.

Previous Recipients

Faculty
Award RecipientDepartmentAward Year
Stephanie Sanders-SmithCurriculum & Instruction2022
Daniel Leon RuizClassics2022
Alex ShakarEnglish2022
Amanda Mabry-FlynnAdvertising2022
Andiara SchwingelKinesiology & Community Health2022
Amanda CiafoneMedia & Cinema Studies2021
Ryan ShostedLinguistics2021
Terri BarnesHistory2021
Michael DonohoeAccountancy2021
Paul DavidsonAgricultural & Biological Engineering2021
Andrew GaedtkeEnglish2020
Rana HogarthHistory2020
Zoi RaptiMathematics2020
David RivierCell & Developmental Biology2020
Brian WaltersClassics2020
Brian AllanEntomology/School of Integrative Biology2019
Manisha BasuEnglish2019
Gregory ElliottAerospace Engineering2019
Philipp HieronymiMathematics2019
Sandra RuizLatina/Latino Studies and English2019
Timothy BretlAerospace Engineering2018
Brendan HarleyChemical & Biomolecular Engineering2018
Robert RushingFrench & Italian; Comparative & World Literatures2018
Ren é e TrillingEnglish2018
Craig ZillesComputer Science2018
Laura Segebart DeThorneSpeech & Hearing Science2017
Karla MöllerCurriculum & Instruction2017
Thomas NevinsMathematics2017
Rebecca StumpfAnthropology2017
Andrew SuarezAnimal Biology; Entomology2017
Marni BoppartKinesiology & Community Health2016
Lee DevilleMathematics2016
Behrooz Ghamari-TabriziHistory2016
Jonathan KeebleMusic2016
Karen SearsAnimal Biology2016
Richard GorvettMathematics2015
John MurphyCommunication2015
Fiona I.B. NgôGender & Women’s Studies; Asian American Studies2015
Andrea StevensEnglish2015
Bradley SuttonBioengineering2015
Amelia WoodsKinesiology & Community Health2015
Dale BauerEnglish2014
Christopher BensonJournalism & African American Studies2014
Tamara ChaplinHistory2014
Ollie Watts DavisMusic2014
Alan HansenAgricultural & Biological Engineering2014
Bruce FoukeGeology2013
David HaysLandscape Architecture2013
Steven PetruzzelloKinesiology & Community Health2013
Brian QuickCommunication2013
Kirk SandersClassics2013
Lauretta HoginArt & Design2012
Soo-Yeun LeeFood Science & Human Nutrition2012
Stephen MarshakGeology2012
Steven MichaelBusiness Administration2012
Rebecca Nettl-FiolDance2012
Catherine GrayEnglish2011
A.J. HildebrandMathematics2011
Cynthia JohnsonSpeech & Hearing Science2011
Dimitrios KyritsisMechanical Science & Engineering2011
Robert PahrePolitical Science2011
Roy AxfordNuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering2010
Steven HelleJournalism2010
Anthony PollockEnglish2010
Kelly TappendenFood Science & Human Nutrition2010
Billie TheideArt & Design2010
Carla CaceresAnimal Biology2009
Rosa Santos GilbertzSpecial Education2009
Kim GraberKinesiology2009
Mark H. LeffHistory2009
Bruce A. ReznickMathematics2009
Andrew G. AlleyneMechanical Science & Engineering2008
Cleora J. D’ArcyCrop Sciences2008
Matthew C. EhrlichJournalism2008
Lisa E. Monda-AmayaSpecial Education2008
Alex Winter-NelsonAgricultural & Consumer Economics2008
Bruce A. ConwayAerospace Engineering2007
Jeff EricksonComputer Science2007
Walter L. HurleyAnimal Science2007
Prasanta K. KalitaAgriculture & Biological Engineering2007
Shelly J. SchmidtFood Science & Human Nutrition2007
Donald CrummeyHistory2006
Cara FinneganSpeech Communication2006
Leonard PittComputer Science2006
Julia SavilleEnglish2006
Jasna D. JovanovicHuman & Community Development2005
Gary J. KlingNatural Resources & Environmental Sciences2005
Kimberly ShinewRecreation2005
Mark S. MicaleHistory2005
David H. TewksburySpeech Communication2005
Stephen P. AltanerGeology2004
Richard W. BurkhardtHistory2004
Gail E. HawisherEnglish2004
Jeffrey S. MooreChemistry2004
Robert SkirvinNatural Resources & Environmental Sciences2004
Dorothy L. EspelageEducational Psychology2003
Kimiko GunjiArt & Design2003
Craig M. KoslofskyHistory2003
Richard S. LaugesenMathematics2003
Edward McAuleyKinesiology2003
Carol K. AugspurgerPlant Biology2002
Brigit P. KellyEnglish2002
Darrel J. KeslerAnimal Sciences2002
Robert D. ReidJournalism2002
Douglas B. WestMathematics2002
Stephanie FooteEnglish2001
John A. LynnHistory2001
Roderick McLeodCell & Structural Biology2001
Adam T. MartinsekStatistics2001
Renate G. GoklArt & Design2000
Philip GrahamEnglish2000
Joseph B. MilesMathematics2000
Ty NewellMechanical & Industrial Engineering2000
Philip BuriakAgricultural Engineering1999
Orville V. BurtonHistory1999
Paul F. DiehlPolitical Science1999
Janet LyonEnglish1999
Robin H. McFarquharTheatre1999
Ollie Watts DavisMusic1998
Mark H. LeffHistory1998
Michael D. MadonickEnglish1998
Diane MusumeciSpanish & Portuguese1998
Robert M. SkirvinNatural Resources & Environmental Sciences1998
Karl R. KoenkeCurriculum & Instruction1997
J. Bruce LitchfieldAgricultural Engineering1997
Kenneth M. ReardonUrban & Regional Planning1997
Kim B. RotzollAdvertising1997
Emily S. WattsEnglish1997
Steven J. HelleJournalism1996
Rajeshwari V. PandharipandeReligious Studies & Linguistics1996
Robert Dale ParkerEnglish1996
David N. RuzicNuclear Engineering1996
Donald R. SherbertMathematics1996
Ira H. CarmenPolitical Science1995
Achsah GuibboryEnglish1995
Michael C. LouiElectrical & Computer Engineering1995
Adelle M. RenzagliaSpecial Education1995
Donald G. WhitePlant Pathology1995
Instructional Staff
Award RecipientDepartmentAward Year
Eric LarsonBusiness Administration2022
Raquel Castro GoebelSpanish & Portuguese2022
Jeffrey FrameAtmospheric Sciences2022
April HoffmeisterMathematics2022
Joseph BarichIndustrial & Systems Engineering2022
Scott RickettsEnglish2021
Kate Ditewig-MorrisCommunications2021
Jenny AmosBioengineering2021
Michael RaycraftRecreation, Sport, & Tourism2021
Sarah RichardsonAnimal Sciences2021
Wade Fagen-UlmschneiderComputer Science2020
Aldo ManfroiMathematics2020
Mary RameyCommunication2020
Michael StewartGeology2020
Paul StoddardAgricultural & Consumer Economics2020
Isaac DiIanniEconomics2019
Susan Dramin-WeissSpeech & Hearing Science2019
Karle FlanaganStatistics2019
Kari KeatingAgricultural Education Program2019
Jean McDonaldJournalsim2019
Iryce BaronEnglish2018
Susan FarnerKinesiology & Community Health2018
David ZolaEducational Psychology2018
Gretchen AdamsChemistry2017
Emad JassimMechanical Science & Engineering2017
Bob MurphyMathematics2017
Stephen DowningMechanical Science & Engineering2016
Steven HallAdvertising2016
JW MorrissetteTheatre2016
Dawn BohnFood Science & Human Nutrition2015
Jennifer FollisJournalism2015
Adam PoetzelCurriculum & Instruction2015
Donald DeCosteChemistry2014
Jennifer McNeillyMathematics2014
Mardia BishopCommunication2014
Amy Fischer-BrownAnimal Sciences2013
Grace GiorgioCommunication2013
Julie PriceEnglish2013
Lawrence AngraveComputer Science2012
Suzanne LeeSpecial Education2012
Eric SnodgrassAtmospheric Sciences2012
Barbara HugCurriculum & Instruction2011
John RubinsEnglish2011
Peter SheldonAdvertising2011
Thomas CostelloCommunication2010
Michael RaycraftRecreation Sport & Tourism2010
David SinowFinance2010
John W. GriswoldEnglish2009
Marina MileticChemical & Biomolecular Engineering2009
Katherine A. WahlMathematics2009
Marie-Christine BrunetElectrical & Computer Engineering2008
Stephen J. NotaroHealth2008
Iryce W. BaronEnglish2007
Ryan K. GowerRecreation Sport & Tourism2007
Susan FarnerKinesiology & Community Health2006
Lori GarnerEnglish2006
David ZolaEducational Psychology2006
Ellen FiremanStatistics2005
Sandra Goss LucasPsychology2005
Leslie Klis. McNeilBiochemistry2005
John D. AndersonEnglish2004
Ricardo B. UribeElectrical & Computer Engineering2004
Donna CharlevoixAtmospheric Sciences2003
Peter SheldonAdvertising2003
Robert C. SteltmanEnglish2003
Julie P. PriceEnglish2002
Jason ZychComputer Science2002
Teaching Assistants
Award RecipientDepartmentAward Year
Cody JonesEvolution, Ecology & Behavior2022
Gabe MaloGender & Women’s Studies2022
Julia SpielmannPsychology2022
Emiliana CofellMaterials Science & Engineering2022
Marta TapiaFood Science & Human Nutrition2022
Jone Vicente UrrutiaSpanish & Portuguese2021
Emily BlevinsPsychology2021
Ander BeristainSpanish & Portuguese2021
Leah BeckerEnglish2021
Karie Brown-TessCurriculum & Instruction2021
Brianna AndersonHuman Development & Family Studies2020
Elizabeth FieldMathematics2020
Teresa GreppiSpanish & Portuguese2020
Christiaan HazlettComputer Science2020
Ana OlguinCurriculum & Instruction2020
Zachary BerentMechanical Science & Engineering2019
Katherine NorcrossEnglish2019
Matthew PitchfordCommunication2019
John WestbrookPsychology2019
Leah WilksDance2019
Bryan AbendenscheinCommunication2018
Brynn AdamsonKinesiology & Community Health2018
Valerie O’BrienEnglish2018
Michael PerinoPsychology2018
Nima RasekhMathematics2018
Alexis JonesCurriculum & Instruction2017
Chad KillianKinesiology & Community Health2017
Cara MonicalMathematics2017
David TokarzCommunication2017
Nickolas AndersenMathematics2016
Seong Hee ChoPsychology2016
Yün HanAerospace Engineering2016
Anita MixonCommunication2016
Wendy TruranEnglish2016
Miranda Haus-SeguraPlant Biology2015
Ann HubertEnglish2015
Alicia KozmaMedia & Cinema Studies2015
Audrey NevillePolitical Science2015
Elyse YeagerMathematics2015
Katherine AndersMathematics2014
Joseph DonovanFood Science & Human Nutrition2014
Emily DworkinPsychology2014
Jeremy RobinettRecreation, Sport & Tourism2014
Melanie B. TannenbaumPsychology2014
Molly BriggsLandscape Architecture2013
Anna KurhajecHistory2013
Megan RemmelPolitical Science2013
Amiee RickmanHuman & Community Development2013
Julius RilesCommunication2013
Jane ButterfieldMathematics2012
Andrew HunteMathematics2012
Christopher JoseyCommunication2012
John KnorekEducational Psychology2012
Kerry PimblottHistory2012
Adam IrishPolitical Science2011
Ryan JonesHistory2011
Amy NorgardThe Classics2011
Mary UngerEnglish2011
Amanda VicaryPsychology2011
Kimber AndrewsArt & Design2010
Troy CooperCommunication2010
Lynn HerrmannKinesiology & Community Health2010
Amy OhClassics2010
Jennifer RosnerPsychology2010
Michelle A. BirkettEducational Psychology2009
Julia K. JamiesonMusic2009
Shabnam JavdaniPsychology2009
Samantha M. LookerEnglish2009
Mary E. RameyCommunication2009
Abram J. BickslerNatural Resources & Environmental Sciences2008
Ryan BlumSpeech Communication2008
Luis Eduardo HerreraCenter for Latin American & Caribbean Studies2008
Tara E. LarrisonSchool of Social Work2008
Tara L. LyonsEnglish2008
Erin E. Donovan-KickenSpeech Communication2007
Sarah Marie KieferEducational Psychology2007
Julilly Kohler-HausmannHistory2007
Ellen J. McWhorterEnglish2007
Mark E. UchanskiNatural Resources & Environmental Sciences2007
Melissa GirardEnglish2006
Thomas MackamanHistory2006
Jon ShermanGermanic Languages & Literatures2006
Emma M. BetzGermanic Languages & Literatures2005
Pinaki ChakrabortyTheoretical & Applied Mechanics2005
Grace E. ChoPsychology2005
E. K. TanComparative & World Literature2005
Mandy L. WescottEnglish2005
Eric A. DunnElectrical & Computer Engineering2004
Rebecca C. HarrisPolitical Science2004
Marina P. LevinaCommunications Research2004
Roberto SanchezHistory2004
Jody L. ShipkaEnglish2004
Tobias G. BarskeGermanic Languages & Literatures2003
Trent W. MaurerHuman & Community Development2003
James NelliganHistory2003
Srinivasan SitaramanPolitical Science2003
Catharine M. WaitinasEnglish2003
Bryan F. GanawayHistory2002
Yi-ping HsuEast Asian Languages & Cultures2002
J. Gardner RogersEnglish2002
Sarah J. SchoppePsychology2002
Mahmut YasarAgricultural & Consumer Economics2002
Kristine Baxter BauerMathematics2001
Andrew C. HelmsEconomics2001
Stephanie M. HilgerComparative Literature2001
Elizabeth T. KlettEnglish2001
Jon D. PerkinsAccountancy2001
T. William AltermattPsychology2000
Boris PetracoviciMathematics2000
Joseph R. PomereningPlant Biology2000
Debbie ReeseCurriculum & Instruction2000
Susan K. StewartEnglish2000
Suzanne A. DunSpeech Communication1999
Dennis A. EichhornMathematics1999
Joseph B. PerryHistory1999
Carrie A. RentschlerCommunications Research1999
Amanda J. RosePsychology1999
Ihsan AjwadEconomics1998
Montserrat Oliveras-HerasSpanish, Italian & Portuguese1998
Christopher A. SeguinComputer Science1998
Urmila S. SeshagiriEnglish1998
Randi J. StorchHistory1998
Wendy V. CunninghamEconomics1997
Beth D. HawkinsComparative Literature1997
Emily Noelle IgnacioSociology1997
Philip JohnstonDance1997
Marino ParissiSpeech Communication1997
Margaret J. TimmePlant Biology1997
Tony L. KirschnerSpeech Communication1996
Mary Jo LichtGermanic Languages & Literatures1996
Holly J. NibertSpanish, Italian & Portuguese1996
Kimberly A. PaulAdvertising1996
Marquette C. StankowskiTheatre1996
Steven P. VaughanHistory1996
Dabney Anderson BankertEnglish1995
Eric Anthony BurinHistory1995
W. Kevin CopeMechanical & Industrial Engineering1995
Ted deChateletTheatre1995
Steven W. KnoxMathematics1995
John Edward WernerGeology1995

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.