Nature of Award:
One award of $3,500 and a non-monetary gift. 

Eligibility:
Open to all current full-time faculty members with at least five years of consecutive full-time employment at VCU.

Criteria: 
A recipient of this award should have achieved superior accomplishment consistent with Quest 2028, specifically in the area of teaching. A recipient of this award should be recognized as being an outstanding teacher. This may be evidenced by being an inspiration to students; by utilizing stimulating techniques, materials and methods designed to promote learning; by outstanding attention to the development of curriculum, learning materials and teaching strategies; by serving in a teaching capacity outside the classroom and University; or by any combination of the above (additional guidance on teaching effectiveness can be found in the Report on Teaching Effectiveness).

Nomination Materials: 
The nomination packet must include the following (maximum 13 pages single spaced):

• Cover sheet (please make a copy of the PDF to complete and submit)
• A letter of nomination (no more than a maximum of 3 single spaced pages)
• College/School nominations: this letter of nomination must be written by the Dean
• Self nominations: this letter of nomination must be written by the nominee
• A maximum of 10 testimonials, adhering to the following guidelines:
• Each testimonial must be no more than a maximum of 250 words
• All testimonials together must be no more than a maximum of 2 pages total
• There must be at least 2 testimonials from colleagues
• We strongly encourage 1 testimonial from community leaders/members, though it is not required
• Each testimonial must provide the writer’s name, title, affiliation and must indicate their relationship to the nominee. This information does not count towards the 250 word maximum (e.g. Melinda Mayes, Associate Professor, Department of Film Studies, QSU; colleague)
• A personal statement, in which the nominee articulates and includes their teaching philosophy as a portion of the statement (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A Summary of Teaching Accomplishments reflecting innovation in teaching and learning within the last three years (maximum 3 single spaced pages). Below is a list of possible materials that might be included as additional supporting materials in a summary of teaching accomplishments. This list is not exhaustive nor are all of the items required: 
• approaches to student/trainee engagement
• evidence of engaging with scholarship of pedagogy (as it applies to your discipline)
• innovation in teaching 
• description of recent (in the last three years) courses taught 
• description of recent new assignments created
• description of recent innovations to instructional materials 
• description of recent experimentation in teaching methods and techniques
• description of recent study abroad work
• description of recent experiential learning work
• description of recent curricular work (curriculum development and/or curriculum revision)
• list of scholarship published on teaching and learning and if possible, hyperlinked to the full work
• Excerpts from narrative student comments on course evaluations (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A summary of standardized course evaluations from the past 3 years with scores for measures. This should be submitted as a separate PDF document with the following nomenclature: Nominee Last name_course evaluations. This document is not counted toward the page limits listed in this section nor toward the full nomination packet 13 page limit
• A full curriculum vitae (this should be submitted as a separate PDF with the following nomenclature: Nominee Last name_CV. This document does not count toward the 13 page limit of the nomination packet)
• Nominees are eligible for re-nomination (by dean or self-nomination) every three years

Nature of Award:
One award of $3,500 and a non-monetary gift. 

Eligibility:
Open to all current full-time faculty members with at least five years of consecutive full-time employment at VCU.

Criteria: 
A recipient of this award should have achieved superior accomplishment consistent with Quest 2028, specifically in the area of scholarship. A recipient of this award should be recognized as an outstanding scholar as defined in their discipline. The individual should have demonstrated a pattern of productive scholarly activity which has been recognized nationally or internationally, as appropriate. Traditional research, creative endeavors and other scholarly activities are included in this category

Nomination Materials:
The nomination packet must include the following (maximum 11 pages single spaced): 

• Cover sheet (please make a copy of the PDF to complete and submit)
• A letter of nomination (no more than a maximum of 3 single spaced pages)
• College/School nominations: this letter of nomination must be written by the Dean
• Self nominations: this the letter of nomination must be written by the nominee
• Letters of nomination are required to include a description of what criteria are especially important for defining excellence and national eminence in the nominee’s discipline given that nomination materials will be reviewed at the campus level by a panel of faculty from differing disciplines, i.e., non-specialists. One way of doing so could be to utilize the nominee’s home department P&T criteria
• A maximum of 10 testimonials, adhering to the following guidelines:
• Each testimonial must be no more than a maximum of 250 words
• All testimonials together must be no more than a maximum of 2 pages total
• There must be at least 2 testimonials from colleagues
• We strongly encourage 1 testimonial from community leaders/members, though it is not required
• Each testimonial must provide the writer’s name, title, affiliation and must indicate their relationship to the nominee. This information does not count towards the 250 word maximum (e.g. Melinda Mayes, Associate Professor, Department of Film Studies, QSU; colleague)
• A personal statement, in which the nominee articulates their research trajectory and impact as a portion of their statement (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A Summary of Research Accomplishments reflecting scholarly contributions and research innovation within the last three years (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A list of selected publications which should include up to five samples of scholarly work, listed as references and, if possible, hyperlinked to the full work (maximum 1 single spaced page)
• A full curriculum vitae (this should be submitted as a separate PDF with the following nomenclature: Nominee Last name_CV. This document does not count toward the 11 page limit of the nomination packet)
• Nominees are eligible for re-nomination (by dean or self-nomination) every three years

Nature of Award:
One award of $3,500 and a non-monetary gift. 

Eligibility:
Open to all current full-time faculty members with at least five years of consecutive full-time employment at VCU.

Criteria: 
A recipient of this award should have achieved superior accomplishment consistent with Quest 2028, specifically in the area of service. A recipient of this award should have performed superior service to the University, the profession and/or the wider community. This may be evidenced by activities which extend beyond normal expectations, unique contributions or long- standing leadership and impact on the University and beyond.

Nomination Materials:
The nomination packet must include the following (maximum 11 pages single spaced):

• Cover sheet (please make a copy of the PDF to complete and submit)
• A letter of nomination (no more than a maximum of 3 single spaced pages)
  • College/School nominations: this letter of nomination must be written by the Dean
  • Self nominations: this the letter of nomination must be written by the nominee
• A maximum of 10 testimonials, adhering to the following guidelines:
  • Each testimonial must be no more than a maximum of 250 words
  • All testimonials together must be no more than a maximum of 2 pages total
  • There must be at least 2 testimonials from colleagues
  • We strongly encourage 1 testimonial from community leaders/members, though it is not required
  • Each testimonial must provide the writer’s name, title, affiliation and must indicate their relationship to the nominee. This information does not count towards the 250 word maximum (e.g. Melinda Mayes, Associate Professor, Department of Film Studies, QSU; colleague)
• A personal statement, in which the nominee articulates their service philosophy as a portion of their statement (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A Summary of Service Accomplishments, reflecting the recipient’s service contributions, and impact of service activities (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A list and brief description of service activities within the last three years (maximum 1 single spaced pages). This may include:
  • Department service
  • College/School service
  • University Service
  • Professional/Discipline Service
  • Community Service
• A full curriculum vitae (this does not count toward the 11 page limit of the nomination packet)
• Nominees are eligible for re-nomination (by dean or self-nomination) every three years

Nature of Award:
One award of $3,500 and a non-monetary gift. 

Eligibility:
Open to all current full-time tenured and tenure track faculty at the rank of Associate Professor, and below. A recipient of this award should have been no more than 6 years in ranked positions, with at least three years of those at VCU. 

Criteria: 
A recipient of this award should have achieved superior accomplishment consistent with Quest 2028 and in the areas of teaching, research and scholarship, and service. 

Nomination Materials:
The nomination packet must include the following (maximum 13 pages single spaced):

• Cover sheet (please make a copy of the PDF to complete and submit)
• A letter of nomination (no more than a maximum of 3 single spaced pages)
  • College/School nominations: this letter of nomination must be written by the Dean
  • Self nominations: this the letter of nomination must be written by the nominee
  • Letters of nomination are required to include a description of what criteria are especially important for defining excellence and national eminence in the nominee’s discipline given that nomination materials will be reviewed at the campus level by a panel of faculty from differing disciplines, i.e., non-specialists. One way of doing so could be to utilize the nominee’s home department P&T criteria
• A maximum of 10 testimonials, adhering to the following guidelines:
  • Each testimonial must be no more than a maximum of 250 words
  • All testimonials together must be no more than a maximum of 2 pages total
  • There must be at least 2 testimonials from colleagues
  • We strongly encourage 1 testimonial from community leaders/members, though it is not required
  • Each testimonial must provide the writer’s name, title, affiliation and must indicate their relationship to the nominee. This information does not count towards the 250 word maximum (e.g. Melinda Mayes, Associate Professor, Department of Film Studies, QSU; colleague)
• A full curriculum vitae (this does not count toward the 13 page limit of the nomination packet)
• Nominees are eligible for re-nomination (by dean or self-nomination) every three years

For faculty nominees in a predominately teaching role, the nomination packet must include:

• A personal statement, in which the nominee articulates and includes their teaching philosophy as a portion of the statement (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A Summary of Teaching Accomplishments reflecting innovation in teaching and learning within the last three years (maximum 2 single spaced pages). Below is a list of possible materials that might be included as additional supporting materials in a summary of teaching accomplishments. This list is not exhaustive nor are all of the items required. 
  • approaches to student/trainee engagement
  • evidence of engaging with scholarship of pedagogy (as it applies to your discipline)
  • innovation in teaching 
  • description of recent (in the last three years) courses taught 
  • description of recent new courses taught 
  • description of recent new assignments created
  • description of recent innovations to instructional materials 
  • description of recent experimentation in teaching methods and techniques
  • description of recent study abroad work
  • description of recent experiential learning work
  • description of recent curricular work (curriculum development and/or curriculum revision)
  • list of scholarship published on teaching and learning and if possible, hyperlinked to the full work
• Excerpts from narrative student comments on course evaluations (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A summary of standardized course evaluations from the past 3 years with scores for measures. This should be submitted as a separate PDF document with the following nomenclature: Nominee Last name_course evaluations. This document is not counted toward the page limits listed in this section nor toward the full nomination packet 15 page limit
• A Summary of Service Accomplishments, reflecting the recipient’s service contributions, and impact of service activities (maximum 1 single spaced page)

For faculty members in a predominately research/creative works role, the nomination packet must include:

• A personal statement, in which the nominee articulates their research trajectory and impact as a portion of their statement (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A Summary of Research Accomplishments reflecting scholarly contributions and research innovation within the last three years (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A list of selected publications which should include up to five samples of scholarly work, listed as references and, if possible, hyperlinked to the full work (maximum 1 single spaced page)
• A Summary of Service Accomplishments, reflecting the recipient’s service contributions, and impact of service activities (maximum 1 single spaced page)

Nature of Award:
One award of $3,500 and a non-monetary gift. 

Eligibility:
Open to all current full-time term faculty at the rank of Instructor and higher who have at least five consecutive years of employment at VCU.

Criteria:
A recipient of this award should have achieved superior accomplishment consistent with Quest 2028, and in the areas of teaching, research and scholarship, and service. 

Nomination Materials:
The nomination packet must include the following (maximum 13 pages single spaced):

• Cover sheet (please make a copy of the PDF to complete and submit)
• A letter of nomination (no more than a maximum of 3 single spaced pages)
  • College/School nominations: this letter of nomination must be written by the Dean
  • Self nominations: this the letter of nomination must be written by the nominee
  • Letters of nomination are required to include a description of what criteria are especially important for defining excellence and national eminence in the nominee’s discipline given that nomination materials will be reviewed at the campus level by a panel of faculty from differing disciplines, i.e., non-specialists. One way of doing so could be to utilize the nominee’s home department P&T criteria
• A maximum of 10 testimonials, adhering to the following guidelines:
  • Each testimonial must be no more than a maximum of 250 words
  • All testimonials together must be no more than a maximum of 2 pages total
  • There must be at least 2 testimonials from colleagues
  • We strongly encourage 1 testimonial from community leaders/members, though it is not required
  • Each testimonial must provide the writer’s name, title, affiliation and must indicate their relationship to the nominee. This information does not count towards the 250 word maximum (e.g. Melinda Mayes, Associate Professor, Department of Film Studies, QSU; colleague)

For faculty nominees in a predominately teaching role, nomination packages must include: 

• A personal statement, in which the nominee articulates and includes their teaching philosophy as a portion of the statement (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A Summary of Teaching Accomplishments reflecting innovation in teaching and learning within the last three years (maximum 2 single spaced pages). Below is a list of possible materials that might be included as additional supporting materials in a summary of teaching accomplishments. This list is not exhaustive nor are all of the items required
  • approaches to student/trainee engagement
  • evidence of engaging with scholarship of pedagogy (as it applies to your discipline)
  • innovation in teaching 
  • description of recent (in the last three years) courses taught 
  • description of recent new courses taught 
  • description of recent new assignments created
  • description of recent innovations to instructional materials 
  • description of recent experimentation in teaching methods and techniques
  • description of recent study abroad work
  • description of recent experiential learning work
  • description of recent curricular work (curriculum development and/or curriculum revision)
  • list of scholarship published on teaching and learning and if possible, hyperlinked to the full work
• Excerpts from narrative student comments on course evaluations (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A summary of standardized course evaluations from the past 3 years with scores for measures. This should be submitted as a separate PDF document with the following nomenclature: Nominee Last name_course evaluations. This document is not counted toward the page limits listed in this section nor toward the full nomination packet 13 page limit
• A Summary of Service Accomplishments, reflecting the recipient’s service contributions, and impact of service activities (maximum 1 single spaced page)

For faculty members in a predominately research/creative works role, nomination packets must include:

• A personal statement, in which the nominee articulates their research trajectory and impact as a portion of their statement (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A Summary of Research Accomplishments reflecting scholarly contributions and research innovation within the last three years (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A list of selected publications/creative works which should include up to five samples of scholarly work, listed as references and, if possible, hyperlinked to the full work (maximum 1 single spaced page)
• A Summary of Service Accomplishments, reflecting the recipient’s service contributions, and impact of service activities (maximum 1 single spaced page)

Nature of Award:
One award of $3,500 and a non-monetary gift. 

Eligibility:
Open to all adjunct faculty who have been employed by VCU for a minimum of six semesters and are a consistent presence in their academic unit.

Criteria:
A recipient of this award should have achieved superior accomplishment consistent with Quest 2028, specifically with a record of accomplishment in teaching and pedagogical practices, and evidence of outstanding student learning outcomes in courses taught. They will have exhibited excellence in leadership, teaching, and dedication to student success. Note: Nominations may not be made by students.

Nomination Materials:
The nomination packet must include the following (maximum 7 pages single spaced):

• Cover sheet (please make a copy of the PDF to complete and submit)
• A nomination letter spotlighting the nominee’s contribution to their students and the effect of this work (no more than a maximum of 3 single spaced pages)
• For College/School nominations, the letter of nomination must be written by the Dean
• For self nominations, the letter of nomination must be written by the nominee
• A personal teaching statement describing their unique teaching philosophy and background (maximum 3 single spaced pages)
• A full curriculum vitae (this does not count toward the 7 page limit of the nomination packet) 
• Nominees are eligible for re-nomination (by dean or self-nomination) every three years

Nature of Award:
One award of $5,000 and a non-monetary gift. 

Eligibility:
Open to all current full-time tenured, tenure-track, and term faculty who have at least seven years of consecutive employment at VCU.

Criteria:
A recipient of this award should have achieved superior accomplishment consistent with Quest 2028. A recipient of this award should have performed in a superior manner in teaching, scholarly activity and service as described above. This award is one of the highest honors the University can bestow on one of its faculty and is awarded only to an exceptional individual. 

Nomination Materials:
The nomination packet must include the following (maximum 20 pages single spaced):

• Cover sheet (please make a copy of the PDF to complete and submit)
• A letter of nomination (no more than a maximum of 3 single spaced pages)
• College/School nominations: this letter of nomination must be written by the Dean
• Self nominations: this the letter of nomination must be written by the nominee
• Letters of nomination are required to include a description of what criteria are especially important for defining excellence and national eminence in the nominee’s discipline given that nomination materials will be reviewed at the campus level by a panel of faculty from differing disciplines, i.e., non-specialists. One way of doing so could be to utilize the nominee’s home department P&T criteria
• A maximum of 10 testimonials, adhering to the following guidelines:
• Each testimonial must be no more than a maximum of 250 words
• All testimonials together must be no more than a maximum of 2 pages total
• There must be at least 2 testimonials from colleagues
• We strongly encourage 1 testimonial from community leaders/members, though it is not required
• Each testimonial must provide the writer’s name, title, affiliation and must indicate their relationship to the nominee. This information does not count towards the 250 word maximum (e.g. Melinda Mayes, Associate Professor, Department of Film Studies, QSU; colleague)

• A personal statement in which the nominee articulates their career contributions to VCU, their discipline and the overall community through their teaching, scholarship and service (maximum 4 single spaced pages)
• A Summary of Research Accomplishments reflecting scholarly contributions and research innovation within the last three years (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A list of selected publications which should include up to five samples of scholarly work, listed as references and, if possible, hyperlinked to the full work (maximum 1 single spaced page)
• A Summary of Teaching Accomplishments reflecting innovation in teaching and learning within the last three years (maximum 2 single spaced pages). Below is a list of possible materials that might be included as additional supporting materials in a summary of teaching accomplishments. This list is not exhaustive nor are all of the items required
• approaches to student/trainee engagement
• evidence of engaging with scholarship of pedagogy (as it applies to your discipline)
• innovation in teaching 
• description of recent (in the last three years) courses taught 
• description of recent new courses taught 
• description of recent new assignments created
• description of recent innovations to instructional materials 
• description of recent experimentation in teaching methods and techniques
• description of recent study abroad work
• description of recent experiential learning work
• description of recent curricular work (curriculum development and/or curriculum revision)
• list of scholarship published on teaching and learning and if possible, hyperlinked to the full work
• A summary of standardized course evaluations from the past 3 years with scores for measures. This should be submitted as a separate PDF document with the following nomenclature: Nominee Last name_course evaluations. This document is not counted toward the page limits listed in this section nor toward the full nomination packet 20 page limit
• Excerpts from narrative student comments on course evaluations (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A Summary of Service Accomplishments, reflecting the recipient’s service contributions, and impact of service activities (maximum 2 single spaced pages)
• A list and brief description of service activities within the last three years (maximum 1 single spaced page). This may include:  
• Department service
• College/School service
• University Service
• Professional/Discipline Service
• Community Service
• A full curriculum vitae (this does not count toward the 20 page limit of the nomination packet)
• Nominees are eligible for re-nomination (by dean or self-nomination) every three years

The Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs shall appoint a selection committee, The University Faculty Awards Committee, and shall name the chairperson. The selection committee will consist of faculty members chosen to fairly represent each campus. To promote a more inclusive approach in evaluation of nominations, the selection committee will include three past awardees and four additional faculty members from Colleges/Schools not represented by the three past awardees. No one with the title of Dean, Vice President, Senior Vice Provost, or Vice Provost is eligible to serve on the selection committee.

All deliberations of the selection committee must be held in complete confidence. An electronic version of each nomination will be received in the Office of the Provost within the specified time frame. The Office of the Provost, Faculty Affairs will review these files to assure all submission requirements are met and then immediately share these files with the committee. At this point, the committee will begin their confidential selection process. Once the committee has reviewed and deliberated, the committee chair will forward the recommended awardees to the Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, who will share them with the Provost for final approval.

The Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs will announce a call for nominations. Nominations may be made one of the following ways:

1. A College/School nomination: The nomination process begins at the department level. Nominations can be made by faculty or staff colleagues, alumni, or the faculty member directly and submitted to the nominee’s Department Chair. These nominations will then move through the respective department review process.
2. Self Nomination: A faculty member can self nominate for any award. These nominations are made directly by the nominee and submitted directly to the Office of the Provost.
3. Alumni nomination: These nominations are made by an alumni submitted directly to the Office of the Provost. These nominations require a co-nomination sponsorship statement in the form of an attachment to the nomination letter from a current faculty member to assure all university guidelines are met.

In addition, the chairperson/immediate supervisor of each department is urged to review all faculty members in the department each year and make appropriate nominations. The chairperson/supervisor will prepare a thoroughly documented recommendation and forward it to the school or college faculty award committee (if applicable). Note: in the case where the faculty member to be nominated is a department chair, the nomination should be made directly to the Dean, who will be responsible for preparing the documented recommendation and forwarding it to the school or college faculty award committee. This nominee should be considered by the committee in the same manner as nominees from chairs. Individuals whose duties are primarily administrative (e.g., Deans, Vice Presidents) are not eligible for these awards. Retired or emeriti faculty are also ineligible.

The department chair/immediate supervisor or faculty award committee will review the nominations and send nominations per category to the Dean. For each nominee, the Dean will prepare and submit a letter of nomination summarizing the accomplishments of the nominee, and submit the nomination package to the Office of the Provost by uploading the nomination documents to the google folder provided by the Office of the Provost. Self-nominees may submit packages directly to the Office of the Provost (vpfacaffrs@vcu.edu) by requesting a google folder for uploading their materials.

The Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs will publicly announce the award recipients. Details of an awards reception will be made available. Recipients will be named on the Awards website prior to the awards reception.

2026 Timeline

To ensure that members of all faculty are considered for these prestigious awards, each school or college is asked to submit at least two (2) nominations per year. Self-nominations are considered additional submissions. Please see table above for submission deadlines. Google folders will be made available to deans to upload an electronic copy of each nomination packet. For self-nominations, please email Faculty Affairs, Office of the Provost, at vpfacaffrs@vcu.edu well in advance of the deadline of March 2, 2026 for access to the google folders. All nominations are due to the Office of the Provost on March 2, 2026. Award recipients will be notified by mid to late May.

Distinguished Scholarship Award 
Dr. Jason A. Carlyon, Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine

Distinguished Service Award 
Dr. Susan Kornstein, Professor, Department of Psychiatry - Ambulatory Care, School of Medicine

Distinguished Teaching Award  
Dr. Krista L. Donohoe, Professor and Skills Laboratory Director, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science, School of Pharmacy

Outstanding Early Career Award 
Dr. Ka Un Lao, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Humanities and Sciences

Outstanding Term Faculty Award 
Dr. Mariah Crilley, Assistant Vice Provost for University Interdisciplinary Programs and Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs, University College

University Excellence Award 
Dr. Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology, School of Medicine

Distinguished Scholarship Award 
Dr. Yan Zhang, Professor, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy

Distinguished Service Award 
Dr. Charlene Crawley, Teaching Associate Professor Coordinator, B.S. Interdisciplinary Science Program, Department of Chemistry, College of Humanities and Sciences

Distinguished Teaching Award  
Dr. Shelli Fowler, Associate Professor, Department of English, College of Humanities and Sciences

Outstanding Early Career Award 
Dr. Xuewei Wang, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Humanities and Sciences

Outstanding Term Faculty Award 
Dr. Marcie Wright, Associate Professor, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Associate Director for the Center on Health Disparities, School of Public Health

University Excellence Award 
Dr. William Dewey, Professor & Chair, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine