Overview

The University Distinguished Teacher-Scholar Award recognizes faculty who take sustained, active leadership in improving teaching and learning at Illinois. These faculty members not only teach effectively, but also create, design, and lead educational efforts that support student learning and strengthen teaching across departments, colleges, and the campus. Their contributions often include developing impactful pedagogies, designing new curricula or programs, offering workshops or trainings focused on teaching, or leading teaching initiatives that others adopt.

Many also engage in research on teaching and learning-whether through the scholarship of teaching and learning, discipline-based education research, or related work that informs practice. Others contribute through public engagement, advocacy, or outreach that connects educational efforts to broader communities.

University Distinguished Teacher-Scholars are recognized for the ways their work improves the quality of teaching not just in their own classrooms, studios or labs, but across campus and disciplines, helping to shape a stronger learning environment for all.

University Distinguished Teacher Scholar (DTS) Prize recipients become members of the University Distinguished Teacher-Scholar Academy:

• Members of the DTS Academy are eligible to be nominated by campus for the Cherry Award and/or other national and international teaching awards.
• Membership in the DTS Academy is permanent throughout the recipient’s appointment at Illinois.
• The DTS Academy fosters connections among members, providing opportunities to exchange ideas and support one another in advancing teaching and scholarship.
• Members contribute to discussions on the university’s instructional mission, goals, and policies, offering valuable perspectives to the Provost as needed.

The University Distinguished Teacher Scholar Prizes are recognized at the annual Celebration of Teaching Excellence ceremony.

Awards

University Distinguished Teacher-Scholar (Advanced Career Prize)

$10,000 (deposited to recipient’s discretionary funds account)

Eligibility

• Tenure Stream and Specialized Faculty
• 16 years or more since conferral of terminal degree
• 7+ years as a faculty member at Illinois
• Nominees must already have received recognition of teaching effectiveness from their department, college, campus, or disciplinary organizations.
• Faculty members who received the Early Career Prize within the last 5 years are not eligible.

University Distinguished Teacher-Scholar (Early Career Prize)

$5,000 (deposited to recipient’s discretionary funds account)

Eligibility

• Tenure Stream and Specialized Faculty
• 15 years or less since conferral of terminal degree
• 4+ years as a faculty member at Illinois
• Nominees must already have received recognition of teaching effectiveness from their department, college, campus, or disciplinary organizations.

The title of University Distinguished Teacher-Scholar is permanent throughout the recipient’s appointment at Illinois.

Nominations

Stage 1 Requirements

1. Each nomination must include a cover sheet. (Download to complete.)
2. A nomination letter that describes how the nominee’s teaching and scholarship have contributed to the quality and effectiveness of teaching and learning on our campus; how their efforts have influenced the teaching practices of colleagues within the unit, college, campus, and/or broader discipline; and any additional information that highlights the nominee’s impact.
3. Submit the Stage 1 nomination using the online form. The college’s dean must sign the nomination cover sheet (linked above in item 1) to indicate support of the nomination. A supporting letter from the dean is not required or accepted in Stage 1.

The review committee will determine semifinalists during the initial screening process. Nominators will be notified of the status of their nomination after Stage 1 evaluations are complete.

Stage 2 Requirements

Nominators of semifinalists will be requested to submit the following:

1. A self-statement from the nominee that addresses contributions to teaching within the context of assigned responsibilities; describes the use of innovative and research-informed strategies and their impact on student learning and success; and outlines action-oriented advocacy for teaching effectiveness. This may include participation, leadership, and collaboration in initiatives related to faculty development and student success, along with the impact of these efforts on improved teaching practices and student outcomes.
2. Three letters of support from individuals other than the nominator. Letters of recommendation will only be accepted during Stage 2 submission. (Max 2 pages each.) Letters must include:
   • One letter from a colleague or colleagues external to the nominee’s college
   • One letter from a colleague or colleagues internal to the nominee’s college
   • One letter from a former student or students who are not currently enrolled in the nominee’s department
3. Submit the Stage 2 nomination using the online form by the deadline. Include the original cover sheet (submitted in Stage 1).

Calendar*

November 1 – Deadline for Stage 1 nominations to be submitted.

Mid-Late November – Nominators will be notified whether their nominee will move forward to Stage 2 as a semifinalist

January 15 – Deadline for Stage 2 nomination packages (for semifinalists only) to be submitted.

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

Previous Recipients

Assistance

For more information about University Distinguished Teacher-Scholar Awards, contact the Office of the Provost at provostawards@illinois.edu.