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President's Award for Exemplary Online Teaching

The President’s Award for Exemplary Online Teaching at the University of West Florida aims to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements in online education.

By highlighting and rewarding innovative approaches, student-centric methods, and continuous improvement in online instruction, the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT) honors faculty members who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to exemplary online teaching practices and a culture of excellence in online education at the university.

The recipient of this award receives a $1,000 bonus sponsored by the CTLT and recognition from the Florida Board of Governors.

Eligibility

Anyone who has taught at least one fully online course at UWF within the last three academic semesters is eligible to apply for the President's Award for Exemplary Online Teaching. Applicants must submit a short video overview (ten minutes or less) documenting their exemplary online teaching practice via email to facultysupport@uwf.edu by September 24, 2025. Previous awardees are not eligible to win the same award for three (3) years.

Review Eligibility Details

Evaluation

The review committee consists of at least one representative from each College, appointed by their Dean, and CTLT staff. Each member evaluates candidates based only on their video course tour. Nominations are not required. Applicants should prioritize innovative teaching practices that enhance digital accessibility, student engagement, learning gains, and overall satisfaction with online teaching.

Download the Evaluation Rubric

Recipients

2025

Taekyoung “Shawn” Kim, a Senior Lecturer from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, was recognized for his engaging teaching style, commitment to personalized feedback, and creative methods for building strong connections and a vibrant community among his students. 

2023/2024

Lauren Rex, a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics and Statistics, stands out for her groundbreaking techniques that spark student engagement and deepen understanding in her courses. Her fresh approach transforms learning into an exciting journey of discovery.

Dr. Julie Ann Williams, a Professor in Business Administration, has a unique talent for bridging the gap between theory and practice, sparking critical thinking among her business students. Her dynamic approach not only inspires curiosity but also equips students with the tools they need to tackle real-world challenges with confidence.

Both educators prioritize student needs and have transformed online learning at UWF. We thank Lauren Rex and Dr. Julie Ann Williams for their continued commitment to improving teaching and learning at UWF.

2022

Dr. Andrea Nelson, Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Health Sciences and Administration, is dedicated to continuous improvement and innovative online teaching practices. As an online instructor for the past ten years, she has received Quality Matters certifications on multiple courses, developed a Pressbook for her Medical terminology course, saving students $35,000 annually, and has the first UWF ePortfolio high-impact practice designation.