UMass Lowell's Faculty Excellence Awards recognize and celebrate the outstanding performance of UMass Lowell faculty whose work exemplifies excellence in teaching, mentoring, community engagement, and research. Award recipients are selected through a review process conducted by the Faculty Excellence Awards Committee. Please click on the links below to see the rubrics for the specific awards.
- Award for Excellence in Research (Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity)
- Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
- Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching
- Award for Excellence in Online Teaching
- Award for Excellence in Teaching for Adjunct Faculty
- Award for Excellence in Mentoring Students
- Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring Faculty
- Award for Excellence in Community Engagement
Award for Excellence in Research
(Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity)
| Element | Element Description | Not Exemplified or Discussed (0) | Meets Norms (1) | Exceeds Norms (2-3) | Exceptional (4-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality, Originality, and Significance of Work |
| No examples provided. | Limited originality or unclear significance. | Solid and competent scholarship with moderate originality or scope. | Transformative contributions; work clearly distinguishes the nominee as a leader in their field. |
| Scholarly Productivity, Influence, and Sustainability |
| No examples provided. | Limited or uneven productivity; minimal evidence of influence. Minimal or no evidence of competitive funding activity relevant to the norms of the discipline. | Consistent scholarly output with emerging or moderate influence. Some success in securing funding or strong efforts with partial success relevant to the norms of the discipline. | Strong, influential record in top-tier outlets with clear evidence of impact. Strong record of competitive funding relevant to the norms of the discipline, demonstrating leadership and sustainability. |
| Guidance on Growth |
| No examples provided. | Limited or unrealistic discussion of broader impacts. | Plausible or emerging broader impacts, with some supporting evidence. | Clear, well-documented impact with demonstrable benefits beyond the academic community. |
| Commitment to Mentoring |
| No examples provided. | Limited evidence of professional service or recognition. Minimal or undocumented mentorship outcomes. | Active participation with some leadership roles. Provides meaningful mentorship with developing outcomes. | National or international leadership and recognition. Provides sustained, high-quality mentorship. |
Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
| Element | Element Description | Not Exemplified or Discussed (0) | Meets Norms (1) | Exceeds Norms (2-3) | Exceptional (4-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engaging Students | Uses innovative methods to spark interest and active participation in learning. | No examples provided. | Limited examples of engagement. (1-2 examples) | Clear examples of innovative teaching practices. (3-5 examples) | Students describe the instructor as inspiring further exploration of the subject. (More than 6 examples). |
| Timely Feedback | Provides timely and useful feedback that supports student learning and performance. | No examples provided. | Some examples of feedback provided. (1-2 examples) | Detailed and actionable feedback. (3-5 examples) | Innovative feedback methods tailored to students’ needs. (More than 6 examples). |
| Critical Thinking | Encourages students to analyze, evaluate, and generate new ideas. | No examples provided. | Some examples of fostering critical thinking. (1-2 examples) | Clear evidence of developing students’ analytical skills. (3-5 examples) | Students demonstrate advanced critical thinking in coursework and discussions. (More than 6 examples). |
| Collaboration Skills | Provides opportunities for collaboration and teamwork to enhance learning. | No examples provided. | Limited group or collaborative activities. (1-2 examples) | Clear support for collaborative learning. (3-5 examples) | Students showcase teamwork skills relevant to academic and professional settings. (More than 6 examples). |
Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching
| Element | Element Description | Not Exemplified or Discussed (0) | Meets Norms (1) | Exceeds Norms (2-3) | Exceptional (4-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engaging Students | Uses innovative methods to spark interest and active participation in learning. | No examples provided. | Limited examples of engagement. (1-2 examples) | Clear examples of innovative teaching practices. (3-5 examples) | Students describe the instructor as inspiring further exploration of the subject. (More than 6 examples). |
| Integrating Research | Incorporates advanced research topics and methodologies into the learning experience. | No examples provided. | Limited use of research topics in teaching. (1-2 examples) | Clear examples of incorporating advanced research. (3-5 examples) | Students report applying research methods and critical analysis learned in class. (More than 6 examples). |
| Providing Feedback | Offers timely and constructive feedback that helps graduate students refine their skills and research capabilities. | No examples provided. | Some evidence of providing feedback. (1-2 examples) | Clear examples of detailed, actionable feedback. (3-5 examples) | Students describe consistent, innovative feedback methods supporting their success. (More than 6 examples). |
| Mentoring Graduate Success | Guides students in applying their learning to research, professional development, or career aspirations. | No evidence provided. | Limited examples of mentoring provided. (1-2 examples) | Clear examples of supporting students’ professional growth. (3-5 examples) | Students achieve notable academic or professional milestones as a result of mentorship. (More than 6 examples). |
Award for Excellence in Online Teaching
| Element | Element Description | Not Exemplified or Discussed (0) | Meets Norms (1) | Exceeds Norms (2-3) | Exceptional (4-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engaging Students | Uses strategies to ensure active student involvement in the online learning process. | No examples provided. | Limited examples of engagement in online settings. (1-2 examples) | Clear examples of fostering engagement online. (3-5 examples) | Students describe being inspired to explore more deeply beyond the online classroom. (More than 6 examples). |
| Promoting Interaction | Implements technology and creative methods to encourage interaction among online students. | No examples provided. | Limited use of interaction strategies. (1-2 examples) | Examples of regular interaction and creative approaches. (3-5 examples) | Innovative, effective methods enhance student collaboration and overall online learning. (More than 6 examples). |
| Technology for Content Delivery | Uses technology effectively to deliver course content in an asynchronous format, enhancing the learning experience. | No examples provided. | Some use of asynchronous tools. (1-2 examples) | Clear examples of effective, detailed technology use. (3-5 examples) | Students describe innovative and engaging use of technology for delivering content. (More than 6 examples). |
| Feedback and Support | Provides timely and productive feedback to support online student success and well-being. | No examples provided. | Some evidence of timely feedback. (1-2 examples) | Clear examples of consistent, detailed feedback. (3-5 examples) | Students describe exceptional support and innovative feedback methods tailored to their needs. (More than 6 examples). |
Award for Excellence in Teaching for Adjunct Faculty
| Element | Element Description | Not Exemplified or Discussed (0) | Meets Norms (1) | Exceeds Norms (2-3) | Exceptional (4-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engaging Students | Demonstrates ability to inspire and actively engage students in the classroom. | No examples provided. | Limited examples (1-2 examples) of engagement. | Clear examples of active classroom engagement. (3-5 examples) | Students inspired to learn more and apply knowledge beyond the classroom. (More than 6 examples). |
| Timely Feedback | Provides timely and useful feedback to improve student learning and performance. | No examples provided. | Some examples of feedback provided. (1-2 examples) | Detailed and actionable feedback shared regularly. (3-5 examples) | Innovative feedback methods using diverse approaches (written, oral and more.). (More than 6 examples). |
| Promoting Critical Thinking | Encourages students to develop their own ideas and challenge existing theories. | No examples provided. | Some examples provided. (1-2 examples) | Clear evidence of fostering critical thinking. (3-5 examples) | Students consistently challenge and evaluate ideas, showcasing deep critical skills. (More than 6 examples). |
| Communication Skills | Promotes effective written and oral communication as appropriate for the discipline. | No examples provided. | Limited integration of communication skills. (1-2 examples) | Clear support for developing students’ communication skills. (3-5 examples) | Students demonstrate mastery of communication skills relevant to their discipline. (More than 6 examples). |
Award for Excellence in Mentoring Students
| Element | Element Description | Not Exemplified or Discussed (0) | Meets Norms (1) | Exceeds Norms (2-3) | Exceptional (4-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness of Mentoring | Clear examples of how mentoring positively impacted mentees’ academic, personal, or professional growth. | No examples provided. | Impact of mentoring provided. (1-2 examples). | Examples of clear impact on mentees’ growth. (3-5 examples) | Significant examples of long-term mentee transformation and achievements. (more than 6 examples). |
| Building Trust and Support | Demonstrated ability to foster a trusting, supportive relationship, helping mentees overcome challenges and achieve goals. | No evidence of trust-building. | Some efforts (1-2 examples) towards providing support and trust. | Consistent support and encouragement for mentees. (3-5 examples) | Strong trust-based relationships, showcasing mentees overcoming challenges. (more than 6 examples). |
| Guidance on Growth | Evidence of guiding mentees towards deeper intellectual engagement and skill development relevant to their aspirations. | No evidence provided. | Basic guidance provided to mentees. | Examples of mentees guided to meaningful growth. (3-5 examples) | Mentees achieve significant intellectual or professional milestones with guidance. (more than 6 examples). |
| Commitment to Mentoring | Sustained efforts over time, showing leadership in mentoring initiatives at UMass Lowell or beyond. | No evidence of sustained mentoring efforts. | Some evidence (1-2 examples) of mentoring efforts. | Consistent mentoring initiatives over time. (3-5 examples) | Leadership in mentoring programs with sustained impactful contributions. (more than 6 examples). |
Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring Faculty
| Element | Element Description | Not Exemplified or Discussed (0) | Meets Norms (1) | Exceeds Norms (2-3) | Exceptional (4-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructive Guidance | Provides mentorship leading to professional development in teaching, research, or service. | No examples provided. | Limited examples (1- 2 examples) of constructive mentorship. | Clear examples of impactful mentorship. (3-5 examples) | Demonstrated consistent mentorship resulting in long-term growth or success. (More than 6 examples). |
| Fostering Collaboration | Encourages collaborations or creates opportunities that support mentees' career growth. | No evidence of collaboration. | Some support (1-2 examples) provided for professional growth. | Examples of mentoring leading to successful collaborations. (3-5 examples) | Multiple examples of innovative mentoring that significantly impacted mentees’ careers. (More than 6 examples). |
| Building Trust and Support | Fosters a trusting relationship, providing empathetic and practical support. | No examples of trust-building. | Some evidence of fostering trust and empathy. | Consistent support and encouragement. (3-5 examples) | Strong mentor-mentee relationships that inspire long-term impact and confidence. (More than 6 examples). |
| Sustained Commitment | Evidence of long-term mentoring initiatives with leadership in faculty mentoring programs. | No evidence of mentoring efforts. | Mentorship provided on an occasional basis. (1-2 examples). | Consistent and meaningful faculty mentoring initiatives. (3-5 examples) | Leadership in programs and sustained impactful mentoring contributions. (More than 6 examples). |
Award for Excellence in Community Engagement
| Element | Element Description | Not Exemplified or Discussed (0) | Meets Norms (1) | Exceeds Norms (2-3) | Exceptional (4-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collaborative Initiatives | Establishes and / or sustains community initiatives benefitting UMass Lowell and external communities. | No examples provided. | Limited examples of community initiatives. (1-2 examples) | Clear examples of impactful collaborations. (3-5 examples) | Demonstrated long-term community impact through sustained and meaningful partnerships. (More than 6 examples). |
| Supporting Community Objectives | Contributes professional expertise to support community-defined goals through workshops, training, or events. | No examples provided. | Some evidence of community support initiatives. (1-2 examples) | Clear examples of impactful contributions. (3-5 examples) | Sustained track record of successful and influential community initiatives. (More than 6 examples). |
| Equitable Educational Access | Works with community partners to expand access to educational and lifelong learning opportunities. | No evidence provided. | Limited integration of community collaboration in teaching. (1-2 examples) | Clear examples of fostering equitable opportunities. (3-5 examples) | Demonstrated long-term impact on students and community through education partnerships. (More than 6 examples). |
| Inspiring Citizenship | Develops initiatives that enrich lives and prepare students as engaged citizens. | No evidence provided. | Plans are vague with limited objectives. (1-2 examples) | Clear examples of impactful teaching and mentoring. (3-5 examples) | Students and peers describe being inspired by the faculty’s work in community engagement. (More than 6 examples). |