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Faculty & Staff Excellence Awards

Nomination Procedures and Evaluation Criteria

Each department in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR), the Institute for Applied Agriculture, the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES), University of Maryland Extension (UME), and components of Entomology and Family Studies may annually nominate candidates in each of the following categories:

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.

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Nomination Procedure

(Revised February 2010)

Each nomination must include the following documents, which may be uploaded in either word format or pdf format (300 dpi):

  1. A nomination statement, not to exceed two pages in length, from the nominating unit or individual, emphasizing criteria appropriate for the award.
  2. A letter of support, not to exceed one page in length, 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:
    (Supporting works that cannot be scanned must be submitted to the Dean's office by April 1.)
    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. A brief summary statement about the nominee, not to exceed 450 words, to be used in the Awards Convocation Program in the event the candidate is selected to receive the award for which he/she is nominated.
  6. All required documents must be provided. Incomplete nomination packets will not be reviewed by the Awards Committee.
  7. Only members of the Awards Committee will be given access to the folders of nominees.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Nominators may re-submit a nomination for a candidate previously nominated, but not selected to receive an award. A nomination does not automatically convey to the following year.

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Criteria for Each Award

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

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. The Awards Committee may, at its discretion, select up to two recipients (either/or exempt or non-exempt staff) for this award.

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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. The Awards Committee may, at its discretion, select up to two recipients (either/or exempt or non-exempt staff) for this award.

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Non Tenure-Track Faculty Excellence Award

(Includes Faculty Extension Assistants, Faculty Research Assistants, Associate Agents, Instructors, and Lecturers)

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. The Awards Committee may recommend up to two individuals to receive this award.

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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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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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Integrated Research & Extension Excellence Award

This award may be given to an individual or to a team.  Candidates must be full-time tenured or tenure track faculty members based in an agricultural research and education center, extension office, or academic department.  Candidates must have clearly demonstrated excellence and integrated approach to their extension program that includes applied research that addresses issues important to the citizens of Maryland including, but not limited to, economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and/or quality of life.

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Faculty Research Award

This award is presented annually to recognize an individual or team, in the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, that has published highly significant scholarly research, enhancing the reputation of the college and university and having a substantial impact on their discipline at the national and international levels.  Nominees must be tenured or tenure-track faculty within the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources with a minimum of three years service in the College.  The same individual or team may receive the award more than once during their career in the College, but not for the same work.

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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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UME 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 University of Maryland 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 UME 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 six departments, Institute of Applied Agriculture, UME East Region, UME West Region, AES, and a chair appointed by the Dean.  The Dean will consider membership from a listing of previous award winners, previous members of the Awards Committee, and individuals who have been conscientious about sending forward nominations, as well as other faculty and staff.  Membership will be established on a two-year term basis and staggered to provide needed continuity.

Nominations are submitted electronically via AGNR Web Tools.  Only members of the current AGNR Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards Committee will be given access to the nominees' folders. 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 Awards Convocation held in April or May each year. The date of the Convocation will 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.

June/July
Date and location established for AGNR Spring Awards Convocation.

December
Membership of Awards Committee reviewed and modified as needed and chair appointed.

January
Requests for nominations for AGNR Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards sent to all units.

Awards Committee membership announced and first meeting date for committee established.

March
Nominations for all awards submitted to committee.

April (mid)
Committee makes recommendations to Dean.

May
Awards presented

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For more information, contact Loretta Carstens

Last updated: 02/18/2011