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Faculty & Staff Excellence Awards

Nomination Procedures and Evaluation Criteria

Each unit of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR), the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES), the Maryland Cooperative Extension (MCE), and components of Entomology and Family Studies may annually nominate one candidate for each of the following awards:

Eligibility:

In addition to the criteria indicated for each award category, the following will guide selection of nominees:

  1. All full-time and part-time employees can be nominated for these awards.
  2. Previous winners in an award category are not eligible to be nominated again for the same award for a minimum of five years. They are, however, eligible for nomination in another category as appropriate.
  3. No specific minimum length of service is required for candidates being nominated for awards.

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Nomination Procedure

Each nomination must include the following:

  1. A nomination statement, not to exceed two pages in length, from the unit, emphasizing criteria appropriate for the award.
  2. A letter of support, not to exceed one page in length, for the nomination from the unit’s chair, director or other appropriate administrator.
  3. Candidate’s current curriculum vitae or resume
  4. No more than five (5) of the following:
    1. For tenure-track faculty nominations: samples of publications, course syllabi or programs, teaching evaluations, or other supporting information deemed appropriate by the nominating unit.
    2. For other nominations: samples of creative contributions to the improved operation of the unit or other supporting information deemed appropriate by the nominating unit.
  5. This year, we will use an electronic process for submission of nomination packets.
    1. Documents must be submitted electronically in pdf format (scanned in 300 dpi) to Glenda Canales at gcanales@umd.edu. Supporting works that cannot be scanned may be submitted in original format. Two copies will be required.
    2. In addition to the pdf submission, one original and one copy of the complete nomination packet must be submitted to the Dean’s office.
    3. Glenda will set up individual folders in Wiki.
    4. Only members of the Awards Committee will be given access to these folders.

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Criteria for Each Award

The following criteria will be emphasized in the selection of award recipients.

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Off-Campus Staff Excellence Award

(Includes administrative, technical/paraprofessional, and clerical)

Full-time and part-time exempt and non-exempt staff are eligible for this award. Nominations should be based on a truly exceptional standard of performance of duties, including the candidate’s ability to be innovative within the job and address needs not specifically identified in the job description. The way in which the candidate supports the development, completion, or presentation of high quality research, outreach, and/or educational programs is an essential element of the nomination. Dedication and contributions of the candidate are important factors. Candidate should demonstrate contributions in presenting a positive image for the university. Special activities, such as service to the college or university, should also be included.

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College of Agriculture and Natural Resources On-Campus Staff Excellence Award

(Includes administrative, technical/paraprofessional, and clerical)

Full-time and part-time exempt and non-exempt staff are eligible for this award. Nominations should be based on a truly exceptional standard of performance of duties, including the candidate’s ability to be innovative within the job and address needs not specifically identified in the job description. Dedication and contributions of the candidate are important factors. Nominations should address the role of the individual in helping carry out the mission and responsibilities of the unit in an effective manner. The extent to which a candidate increased the performance and stature of the unit within the college, university, and state is important. The contributions of the candidate toward the development, completion, or presentation of high quality research or educational programs and in presenting a positive image for the university should be addressed. Special activities, such as service to the college or university, should also be included.

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Faculty Extension Assistant/Faculty Research Assistant Excellence Award

Full-time and part-time non tenure track faculty are eligible for this award. Nominations should be based on a truly exceptional standard of performance of duties, including the candidate’s ability to be innovative within the job and address needs not specifically identified in the job description. The way in which the candidate supports the development, completion, or presentation of high quality research, outreach, and/or educational programs is an essential element of the nomination. Dedication and contributions of the candidate are important factors. Candidate should demonstrate contributions in presenting a positive image for the university. Special activities, such as service to the college or university, should also be included.

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College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Off-Campus Junior Faculty Award

Candidates must be full-time tenure track faculty members for a period not to exceed seven years as of June 30 of the award year from date of initial appointment in a regional Research and Education Center or Extension office. Candidates must have clearly established themselves as excellent faculty members with exceptional accomplishments in research and/or Extension education. Nomination statements should focus on creativity and innovations of the candidate and provide evidence of the quality of research productivity, professional service and/or impact of outreach programs, as appropriate for each nominee.

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College of Agriculture and Natural Resources On-Campus Junior Faculty Award

Candidates must be full-time tenure track faculty members for a period not to exceed seven years as of June 30 of the award year from date of initial appointment in an academic department. Candidates must have clearly established themselves as excellent faculty members with exceptional accomplishments in teaching/advising, research, and/or Extension education. Nomination statements should focus on creativity and innovations of the candidate and provide evidence of the quality of instruction, advisement, research productivity, professional service and/or impact of outreach programs, as appropriate for each nominee.

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The Paul R. Poffenberger Excellence in Teaching & Advising Award

Nominees for this award must be involved in teaching and advising of undergraduate and/or graduate students. Nomination materials should clearly demonstrate recent and sustained high standards of teaching performance as indicated by formal student and peer evaluations. Materials should include a list of courses taught with enrollment figures for each course, dates taught, and course evaluations. Also, please submit a summary of how course content is kept current and how the nominee incorporates creativity and innovation to advance student learning. Nominees should demonstrate a strong record of service to students through academic and career advising, mentoring, sponsorship of student organizations, graduate committee service, supervising internships and/or placement of graduates.

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MCE Extension Excellence Award

This award is given annually to an outstanding Extension field faculty or non-academic departmental faculty (Extension educators and regional and state Extension specialists) to recognize innovative, creative, and superior programming at the city/county/regional/state/national level. There are three prerequisites for this award: (1) the recipient must be a tenured Maryland Cooperative Extension educator, (2) the recipient must be working as a Maryland Extension educator or specialist at the time of the award; and (3) the recipient must be an effective educator or specialist with demonstrated results in innovative program development.

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The Dean Gordon Cairns Award for Distinguished Creative Work and Teaching in Agriculture

The Cairns award is the premier award to recognize members of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources faculty, including AES and MCE faculty in Entomology and Family Studies, who make outstanding and creative contributions. This award will be available to all AGNR faculty involved in teaching, research, and/or Extension education in academic departments, at research and education centers or in Extension offices. Nominees should be those individuals who are leaders in the initiation and development of creative ideas leading to enrichment of the learning process and/or discovery of new frontiers in agriculture and related fields. Nomination statements should focus on the accomplishments of the candidate and the positive impact of the nominee on agriculture or appropriate related program areas. Nominees should be outstanding contributors to the programs of AGNR and be clearly among the most outstanding faculty in AGNR.

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The AGNR College Medallion of Excellence Award

The AGNR College Medallion of Excellence Award is the highest honor that the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources can bestow to a member of the agriculture and natural resources community. It recognizes the highest commitment and caliber of contributions that have led to the overall betterment of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The award will be presented at the May Graduation ceremony when suitable candidates have been duly nominated from within the College.

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Selection Process

A College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Awards Committee will be established to evaluate nominations and make award recommendations to the Dean. This committee will consist of one representative from each of the college’s seven units and two regions, one specialist, and a chair, appointed by the Dean. Nominations will be received by the Dean’s office and directed to the Chair of the Awards Committee. The Awards Committee will provide to the Dean the top two (ranked) candidates for each award. Final selection of awards recipients will be made by the Dean. Winners will subsequently be recognized during the AGNR Spring Honors Convocation.

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Awards Presentation

Award recipients will be recognized during an annual College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Spring Honors Convocation held in April or May each year. The date of the Convocation should be coordinated with other college and campus events. Award recipients will receive a plaque and $1000 in recognition of their accomplishments.

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General Schedule for AGNR Awards Process

The following is the general schedule for completing major steps in the awards process.

December
Membership of Awards Committee reviewed and modified as needed, chair appointed, and first meeting date for committee established.

January
Requests for nominations for AGNR and Alumni awards sent to all units

January
Date and location established for AGNR Spring Honors Convocation

March (early)
Nominations for all awards submitted to committee

March (end)
Committee makes recommendations to Dean

April/May
Awards presented

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For more information, contact Loretta Carstens

Last updated: 02/8/2008