Faculty Honors & Awards
COS Dean's Office – Faculty Affairs Contacts
Brad Story
Associate Dean, Faculty
(520) 621-4091
bstory@arizona.edu
Susan Bridgewater
Manager, Faculty Affairs
(520) 621-7226
sbridgewater@arizona.edu
College of Science Teaching & Advising Awards
The College of Science recognizes outstanding faculty and advisors who have made significant contributions to the teaching and advising mission of the University. There are six different award categories to recognize outstanding faculty:
Distinguished Early-Career Teaching Award
In recognition of outstanding classroom (in-person or virtual) teaching at the undergraduate or graduate levels. Nominees should have less than ten years as members of the University of Arizona and should have demonstrated sustained commitment to high quality, inclusive teaching in a variety of settings.
Distinguished Career Teaching Award
In recognition of a long career as an outstanding classroom (in-person or virtual) teacher and mentor of students at different levels and in diverse settings. Nominees should have made important contributions to the educational efforts in their departments as recognized by their peers and current and past students.
Innovation in Teaching Award
In recognition of outstanding educational innovation developed and applied to course delivery whether in the classroom or in a virtual setting. For example: newly developed teaching aids and methods or innovative course designs. Special consideration will be given to innovations that have been formally evaluated to demonstrate their effectiveness in promoting student understanding, inclusion, and belonging.
Distinguished Achievement in Science Education Award
In recognition of outstanding contributions directed toward systematic improvement of science and mathematics education beyond the classroom. This includes scholarly works that make a contribution to improving teaching and learning. Amongst these are innovative courses, textbooks, materials, and activities that substantially impact the educational process in colleges and public schools.
Distinguished Mentoring Award
In recognition of demonstrated outstanding, extensive, and continuous involvement in student mentoring.
Distinguished Advising Award*
In recognition of demonstrated outstanding, extensive, and continuous involvement in undergraduate advising.
*Both faculty and advisors are eligible for this award.
How to Nominate a Faculty Member or Advisor for an Award
Nominations will be accepted for any teaching faculty (those designated as faculty by ABOR definitions).
*Professional Advisors may also be nominated for the Distinguished Advising Award.
Nominations must include the following materials for all nominees:
- Nomination letter from the department head
- Two to four supporting letters from faculty, students, or other appropriate individuals
- A personal statement of teaching/advising/educational philosophy (one-page maximum)
- Optional - A summary of other relevant accomplishments pertaining to teaching/advising/education, e.g., innovative adaptations of courses during the COVID-19 pandemic (two-page maximum).
When available, include these additional materials for nominees of the Distinguished Early-Career Teaching Award and the Distinguished Career Teaching Award:
- Peer observations for any course taught within the last three years.
- A summary of student comments for courses taught in the last three years (two-page maximum).
Submit a nomination on the Arizona Cultivate website.
If you have any questions about the process, please contact Susan Bridgewater at sbridgewater@arizona.edu.
Award nominations are due May 24, 2024. Awardees will be recognized at the annual College of Science Faculty Reception during the Fall semester.
A committee of College of Science faculty will review the nominations and select one award recipient in each category. If there is an insufficient number of nominations for an award, the committee reserves the right to not make a selection for this year and reconsider the nomination(s) during the following year’s process.
Award recipients will receive a one-time $500 award and will be recognized at the College of Science faculty reception in the fall.
Galileo Circle Awards
Curie Awards are given to junior faculty whose innovative work not only advances science, but also adds to the diversity within the scientific community.
Copernicus Awards recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of faculty and staff who significantly advance the mission of their department and the knowledge base of their discipline.
The Postdoc Award was created for the substantial and invaluable contributions postdocs make to the research, mentoring, and outreach missions of both the college and university.
For information about the Galileo Circle Awards, please contact Kasey Barghout, Assistant Director of Donor Stewardship and Alumni Engagement at (520) 621-7187 or kaseybarghout@arizona.edu.
External Awards
See the current list of available awards here: Arizona Cultivate.
Please note: Some awards require a Dean's recommendation. If you plan to apply or nominate for one of these awards, please email Susan Bridgewater (sbridgewater@arizona.edu). Nomination packets that require Dean's approval will need to be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the deadline Files can be uploaded here: 2024 Award Packet Upload Folder.