Awards & Recognition
The College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities recognizes the outstanding faculty and staff who make our college great.
A call for nominations with evaluation criteria will be posted every fall semester. Nominations for the 2025–26 awards cycle are due by March 13, 2026. Nominees will be asked to submit a concise dossier by March 27, 2026.
With the exception of the Dean’s Recognition Award, applications will be reviewed by a committee of peers. Awards will be announced at the annual CASSH Awards Ceremony. Information about each award and the nomination process can be found below.
- Description: The CASSH Teaching Award recognizes an outstanding faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to teaching and a profound impact on student learning within the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities. This annual award celebrates innovative teaching practices, commitment to student success, and recognizes faculty who go above and beyond their duties to mentor, inspire, and support students in their academic, personal, and professional growth.
- Eligibility: All full-time faculty.
- Criteria: Includes sustained demonstration of teaching excellence; student mentorship; significant course/curricular development; interdisciplinarity, and/or contribution to the broader teaching community.
- Description: The CASSH Adjunct Teaching Award recognizes an outstanding adjunct faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to teaching and a significant impact on student learning within the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities. This annual award celebrates the vital contributions of adjunct instructors to the college's educational mission, acknowledging their commitment to student success and innovative teaching practices.
- Eligibility: Adjunct faculty members who have taught at least two courses in the college over the past two academic years.
- Criteria: includes demonstration of teaching excellence, student engagement, effective course delivery, and/or commitment to academic standards.
- Description The CASSH Excellence in Scholarship Award recognizes someone who has made significant contributions to their academic discipline through impactful research, publications, or scholarly engagement. This award honors work that advances knowledge, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhances the scholarly reputation of CASSH.
- Eligibility: All CASSH faculty (full-time, part-time, and adjunct) and staff
- Criteria: Includes demonstration of quality, impact, and originality of scholarly work; Contribution to the advancement of the discipline; Interdisciplinary or collaborative research efforts; Student involvement in research; External funding, research leadership, and/or public engagement; Ethical and responsible research practices
- Description: The CASSH Excellence in Creative Activities Award recognizes a faculty or staff member whose creative work has made a meaningful impact in their field and the broader community. This award celebrates artistic innovation, performance, design, writing, and other creative endeavors that enrich cultural life and reflect the mission of the CASSH.
- Eligibility: All CASSH faculty (full-time, part-time, and adjunct) and staff
- Criteria: Includes demonstration of originality and innovation in creative work; Excellence in performance, production, or presentation; Recognition at local, regional, national, or international levels; Community engagement or public dissemination; student collaboration or mentorship in creative practice; Contribution to the cultural and artistic goals of the college.
- Description: The CASSH Staff Innovation Award recognizes outstanding staff members who have demonstrated exceptional creativity, ingenuity, and forward-thinking in their contributions to the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities. This award celebrates individuals or teams who have implemented innovative solutions, practices, or initiatives that significantly enhance the college's academic environment, operational efficiency, or community impact.
- Eligibility: CASSH Staff [Nominated by Chair or Dean’s Office].
- Criteria: Includes a demonstration of innovative thinking, impact, and effectiveness; Collaboration and leadership; Alignment with the college mission, sustainability, and scalability; Interdisciplinary approach, community engagement, adaptability, and responsiveness.
- Description: The CASSH Dean's Recognition Award is a special honor bestowed upon individuals or groups who have made extraordinary contributions to the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities. This award acknowledges exceptional achievements, acts of service, or significant impacts that may fall outside the scope of traditional faculty or staff awards. It celebrates those who have gone above and beyond in enhancing the college's mission, reputation, or community in unique and impactful ways.
- Eligibility: All CASSH faculty (full-time, part-time, and adjunct) and staff.
- Criteria: Includes exceptional contribution, innovation and creativity, college advancement, community impact, leadership and inspiration, and overcoming adversity.
- Description: The CASSH AI Pedagogy Award recognizes an outstanding faculty member who has demonstrated innovative, ethical, and impactful integration of artificial intelligence tools in the classroom. This award recognizes instructors who utilize AI-enhanced teaching methods and assignments to enhance student learning, promote critical thinking, and prepare students for a rapidly evolving digital landscape. It highlights creative approaches to instruction that thoughtfully incorporate AI while maintaining academic integrity and student-centered engagement.
- Eligibility: All CASSH faculty (full-time, part-time, and adjunct) who have incorporated AI tools into their teaching practices within the past academic year.
- Criteria: Includes demonstration of innovative and intentional use of AI tools to enhance instruction or assessment; Promotion of digital literacy, critical thinking, or ethical AI use among students; Measurable impact on student learning, engagement, or accessibility; Transparency in how AI is used in the classroom; Contribution to the broader teaching community through shared best practices or professional development
Candidates for consideration may be identified through nomination by a second party (e.g., faculty or staff) or by direct application by the individual. All candidates will be asked to submit an electronic dossier that includes the following:
- Cover letter with a brief narrative demonstrating how the applicant’s accomplishments meet the award criteria.
- Complete an up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume which highlights the activities that support the application.
- Please submit nomination and supporting material to the CASSH assistant dean or associate dean.
