2027 Faculty Award Descriptions and Criteria

Each nomination must include, in this order:

• A letter of nomination (note: if nominated by the department head or by the dean, a separate letter of support is not required)
• A minimum of four but no more than six total letters of support from the nominee’s dean (required), department head (required), at least two letters from former students (required), or colleagues (optional)
• A one-page statement of the nominee’s philosophy of teaching
• The nominee’s curriculum vitae
• Average score on the course material and instructor feedback questions for each course the nominee has taught over the last 3 years, using this suggested template.
• A list of up to 10 positive student comments from teaching evaluations from the last 3 years. 

The final nomination materials for each nominee should be combined into a single PDF file and labeled with the nominee's last name and the name of the award (e.g., "Smith_Distinguished Faculty Award"). 

Each nomination must include, in this order:

• A letter of nomination (note: if nominated by the department head or by the dean, a separate letter of support is not required)
• A minimum of four but no more than six total letters of support from the nominee’s dean (required), department head (required), at least two letters from former students (required), or colleagues (optional)
• A one-page statement of the nominee’s philosophy of teaching
• The nominee’s curriculum vitae
• Average score on the course material and instructor feedback questions for each course the nominee has taught over the last 3 years, using this suggested template.
• A list of up to 10 positive student comments from teaching evaluations from the last 3 years. 

The final nomination materials for each nominee should be combined into a single PDF file and labeled with the nominee's last name and the name of the award (e.g., "Smith_LSU Alumni Association Faculty Excellence Award"). 

Each nomination must include, in this order:

• Letter of support from the department head
• Two letters of support from tenured colleagues
• Personal statement (no more than one page) by the nominee summarizing past research accomplishments, impact of research on the community, and future research plans
• The nominee’s curriculum vitae

The final nomination materials for each nominee should be combined into a single PDF file and labeled with the nominee's last name and the name of the award (e.g., "Smith_LSU Alumni Association Rising Faculty Research Award"). 

Each nomination must include, in this order:

• A letter of nomination, which includes:
  • A brief paragraph summarizing the nominee’s activities and achievements, which are the basis for the nomination.
  • A brief narrative on how the nominee demonstrated a commitment to peace, equality and social justice.
• A minimum of two letters of support, from persons other than the nominee, which directly address how the nominee demonstrated a commitment to peace, equality, and social justice as well as the following two questions:
  • How has the nominee been a role model for the community?
  • What measurable results are attributable to the nominee’s efforts?
• Nominee’s curriculum vitae
• Tentative plans for use of award funds may be stated in nomination materials, although this is not required.

The final nomination materials for each nominee should be combined into a single PDF file and labeled with the nominee's last name and the name of the award (e.g., "Smith_Brij Mohan Distinguished Professor Award"). 

Each nomination should include, in this order: 

• Three expert letters that address the specific work for which the candidate is nominated.
  • At least one letter must be from an outside expert.
  • At least one letter must be from a tenured LSU faculty member (presumably from the nominator). This letter should include a short and clear characterization of the nominated work and the paper(s) or book that is the basis of the nomination.
• A paragraph description of each letter writer’s qualifications.
  The candidate’s curriculum vitae
• Copies of the work
• Supplemental material that addresses the nominated work may be included, e.g., grant reviews of an application to perform the specific nominated work or reviews of the nominated paper(s) or book.

The final nomination materials for each nominee should be combined into a single PDF file and labeled with the nominee's last name and the name of the award (e.g., "Smith_Carruth McGehee Award for Excellent Research by a Junior Faculty Member"). 

Each nomination should include, in this order:

• A letter of nomination (the nominee may be self- or peer-nominated)
• A statement from the nominee’s department chair or dean, indicating an endorsement of the nomination
• A one- to two-page, single-spaced statement from the nominee detailing their participation in and contributions to the CxC program, including the impact of CxC on their teaching and on student learning. (If self-nominated, this statement serves as the letter of nomination.)
• A resume focused on CxC-related activities
• Optional: no more than three letters of support from students, faculty, or community collaborators

The final nomination materials for each nominee should be combined into a single PDF file and labeled with the nominee's last name and the name of the award (e.g., "Smith_C-I Teaching & Service Excellence Award"). 

• A statement from the nominee’s department chair or dean, indicating an endorsement of the nomination
• List of Communication-Intensive course(s) taught
• Answers to the following:
  • Course and Innovation: Briefly describe your Communication-Intensive (C-I) course and highlight a specific assignment or approach that you consider innovative.
  • Communication Skills Integration: Explain how your innovative approach helps students develop communication skills within the context of the course content.
  • Inspiration and Distinction: What inspired your innovative approach, and how does it differ from traditional teaching methods?
  • Methods and Tools: Describe the specific methods, techniques, or tools you use to teach communication skills. How do these approaches help students master these skills?
  • Multimodal Learning: How do you use various communication modes (e.g., writing, speaking, digital communication) to enhance students' understanding of the course material? Provide examples.
  • High Expectations: How do you establish and communicate high expectations for student performance in your C-I courses
  • Structured Learning: How do you design assignments and activities to support student success? Share examples that promote meaningful communication and collaboration.
  • Different Perspectives: Describe assignments or activities that encourage students to engage with different viewpoints or unfamiliar situations.
  • Feedback Mechanisms: What methods do you use to provide students with feedback that helps them improve?
  • Reflective Learning: How do you encourage students to reflect on their learning and connect communication skills with course content?
  • Practical Application: Provide examples of assignments or projects that allow students to apply their learning in real-world contexts or showcase their communication skills publicly.
  • Impact on Students: In your view, how have your innovative C-I teaching practices influenced your students' learning and development?
• Please include any relevant materials (e.g., syllabi, student work samples, assignment instructions, rubrics) that illustrate your innovative teaching practices.
• Additional materials (optional): course syllabi, C-I assignment details (instructions, rubrics)

The final nomination materials for each nominee should be combined into a single PDF file and labeled with the nominee's last name and the name of the award (e.g., "Smith_Lillian Bridwell-Bowles Innovative C-I Teacher Award "). 

Each nomination must include, in this order:

• A letter of nomination (note: if nominated by the department head or by the dean, a separate letter of support is not required)
• A minimum of four but no more than six total letters of support from the nominee’s dean (required), department head (required), at least two letters from former students (required), or colleagues (optional)
• A one-page statement of the nominee’s philosophy of teaching
• The nominee’s curriculum vitae
• Average score on the course material and instructor feedback questions for each course the nominee has taught over the last 3 years, using this suggested template.
• A list of up to 10 positive student comments from teaching evaluations from the last 3 years. 

The final nomination materials for each nominee should be combined into a single PDF file and labeled with the nominee's last name and the name of the award (e.g., "Smith_George Deer Distinguished Teaching Award"). 

Nominations must show how the faculty member’s work advances LSU’s internationalization and directly benefits LSU students or its research enterprise. Contributions may be concentrated in one area or connect several areas of faculty work. The following criteria will be considered in relation to the nominee’s discipline, appointment, and career stage: 

• Advancing internationalization at LSU: Sustained work that brings international and intercultural dimensions into teaching, research, creative activity, mentoring, or service. Examples include developing globally focused courses, advancing international research collaborations, or creating opportunities for LSU students and scholars.
• Benefits for LSU: Demonstrated results such as stronger student learning, increased participation in global opportunities, joint research or creative work, collaborative grants, or new academic programs and activities.
• Mutually beneficial engagement: Evidence that the work benefits LSU and the students, colleagues, institutions, or communities involved. Partnerships and collaborations should demonstrate shared contributions and mutual benefit.
• Lasting contributions: Evidence that the work has continued, deepened, or created ongoing relationships, courses, research collaborations, or academic opportunities beyond a single activity.

Evidence and Nomination Requirements 

Contributions may occur abroad, virtually, or on campus. Examples include international research collaborations, joint scholarly or creative work, internationalized courses, education abroad, visiting-scholar engagement, and mentoring of students or scholars. 

Each nomination must include the following materials, combined into one PDF in this order: 

• A letter of nomination from the nominee’s department head or equivalent supervisor identifying the nominee’s contributions and addressing the selection criteria.
• One letter of support from a colleague or current or former student with firsthand knowledge of the work and its impact. 
  The nominee’s curriculum vitae.
• A one-page statement by the nominee describing their commitment to internationalization and global engagement, their individual contributions, and the resulting benefits for LSU.
• Letters and the statement should provide specific qualitative or quantitative evidence of the nominee’s contributions and their significance for LSU’s internationalization. Evidence may include joint publications, collaborative research projects and grants, creative works, global learning outcomes, mentoring, sustained partner collaboration, or new academic opportunities. 

The final nomination materials for each nominee should be combined into a single PDF file and labeled with the nominee's last name and the name of the award (e.g., "Smith_Globally Engaged Faculty Award "). 

The Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School Graduate Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate excellence in: 

• Supporting graduate student success and degree completion
• Mentoring research, scholarship, and creative activity
• Promoting professional development and career readiness
• Promoting evidence-based mentoring practices
• Creating supportive learning environments
• Fostering student growth, confidence, and independence
• Making a lasting impact on graduate student achievement and career trajectories

A complete nomination package must include: 

• Nomination Letter (maximum two pages)
• Mentoring Statement (maximum two pages), including mentoring philosophy, approach to graduate student mentoring, strategies used to promote student success, and examples of mentoring impact
• Current Curriculum Vitae, including graduate student advising record, student awards and accomplishments, relevant mentoring activities
• Three to five letters of support (Current graduate student, former graduate student, colleague, and/or administrator)
• Optional supporting documentation demonstrating mentoring impact. For example, student publications, student funding success, placement information, mentoring plans and compacts, evidence-based mentoring practices, and program development activities) 

The final nomination materials for each nominee should be combined into a single PDF file and labeled with the nominee's last name and the name of the award (e.g., "Smith_Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School Graduate Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award "). 

Each nomination must include, in this order:

• Letters of support from colleagues
• Letters of support from two previous students
• Evaluation of previous HNRS courses taught

The final nomination materials for each nominee should be combined into a single PDF file and labeled with the nominee's last name and the name of the award (e.g., "Smith_Ogden Honors College Outstanding Teaching Award "). 

Each nomination must include, in this order:

• A letter of nomination (note: if nominated by the department head or by the dean, a separate letter of support is not required)
• A minimum of four but no more than six total letters of support from the nominee’s dean (required), department head (required), at least two letters from former students (required), or colleagues (optional)
• A one-page statement of the nominee’s philosophy of teaching
• The nominee’s curriculum vitae
• Average score on the course material and instructor feedback questions for each course the nominee has taught over the last 3 years, using this suggested template.
• A list of up to 10 positive student comments from teaching evaluations from the last 3 years. 

The final nomination materials for each nominee should be combined into a single PDF file and labeled with the nominee's last name and the name of the award (e.g., "Smith_H. M. 'Hub' Cotton Award for Faculty Excellence Award "). 

Each nomination should include, in this order:

• A letter indicating approval from both the dean and the department chair of this nomination. Letter must certify that information presented in the nominee's packet is accurate.
• A letter of nomination
• Two-page curriculum vita, emphasizing service-learning activities and dissemination of related scholarship
• Table summarizing service-learning courses taught during the past five years, including course number and title, semester, dates taught, learning goals accomplished through service-learning, services performed, community partners involved, and number of students engaged
• One or two page statement of exceptional contributions to service-learning scholarship, service-learning instruction, and community impact
• Two letters of support, between one and two pages each: one from a former student and one from a community partner.

The final nomination materials for each nominee should be combined into a single PDF file and labeled with the nominee's last name and the name of the award (e.g., "Smith_Outstanding Service-Learning Award"). 

Nominations for the award may be initiated by any professional staff or faculty member within the University. A resume should be attached with the nomination letter, and letters of recommendation should include a letter from the applicant's department head. The supporting data must include criteria by which the nominee's competency and service to students are judged and also a statement from the nominee outlining their goals.  

• One letter of nomination (no more than 3 pages)
• Resume of the nominee (no more than 4 pages)
• Teaching philosophy of the nominee (1 page)
• Optional 1-page description of outstanding contributions as a TA
• A minimum of two and no more than three letters of support from current or former students

The final nomination materials for each nominee should be combined into a single PDF file and labeled with the nominee's last name and the name of the award (e.g., "Smith_LSU Alumni Association Teaching Assistant Award").