Awards and Honors

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Nominations, excluding the Staff Award (see guidelines), must be submitted as a single pdf document to Amanda Pester (apester@vt.edu).

Deadlines for submitting nominations in 2025-2026

• January 29, 2026: Deadline for submission of Teaching Excellence, Graduate Student, and Outstanding Staff nominations, by 4 p.m.
• February 12, 2026: Deadline for submission of Research and Creative Scholarship; Advising; Outreach and International Initiatives; Ut Prosim; and Land Grant Scholar nominations, by 4 p.m.

Questions pertaining to the College honors and awards should be directed to the committee co-chairs, Heidi Anne Mesmer (hamesmer@vt.edu) and Vinodh Venkatesh (vinodhv@vt.edu). Questions can also be sent to Tom Ewing (etewing@vt.edu) or Amanda Pester (apester@vt.edu)

To recognize outstanding faculty members in teaching of undergraduate and graduate students.  Up to six awards will be given.    

Recipient must be a full-time faculty member in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences for whom the teaching of undergraduate and graduate students is and has been an assigned responsibility.  All nominations for the College Certificates of Teaching Excellence must follow the Academy of Teaching Excellence dossier guidelines. 

The deadline to submit dossiers for Certificates of Teaching Excellence is January 29, 2026. Faculty who receive Certificates of Teaching Excellence in 2026 or have been Certificate winners in the previous two years are encouraged to submit their dossiers for consideration for the University Teaching Awards. The deadline for submitting CTE dossiers for consideration for the University Teaching Award is February 13, 2026. Winners of Certificates of Teaching Excellence will be notified in time to submit dossiers to be considered for the University Teaching Award.

2025-2026 Guidelines: 

A complete dossier will contain the following items (see guidelines for details / templates):

• Cover Page (do not include the signed statement about serving on review committee)

• Distinctive Contributions and Achievements (1 page)

• Nomination Letter (2 pages)

• Teaching Statement (1 page)

• Letters of Recommendation and / or Peer Evaluations of Teaching (4-5 pages, see guidelines for rules on requesting letters)

• Additional Documentation (flexible, to meet limit of 11 pages)

• Appendix: Student Perceptions of Teaching: (1) all scores for all courses the past seven years, follow guidelines for reporting scores; (2) a complete pdf file of scores and comments for one course taught within past three years

The dossier is limited to 11 pages, excluding the cover page and the Student Perceptions of Teaching appendix.  Please review guidelines on the anonymity of students’ comments to be consistent with guidelines for the university awards. 

Academy of Teaching Excellence workshop: TBD

Recognition:

Certificate and $500 for professional development. 

2025-2026 Guidelines:

To recognize outstanding achievements by a faculty member or members in research and creative scholarship. Up to three awards will be given for Excellence in Research and Creative Scholarship.

Recipient(s) must be College full-time faculty members, and have demonstrated exemplary research and creative scholarship at Virginia Tech. The award may be granted jointly to two or more persons when the research was done jointly and was led by the College faculty member. 

Criteria for the Award:

• Evidence of sustained effort and achievement in the generation of new knowledge in a discipline represented within the College with a broad interpretation of research or creative design;

• Evidence that the research and/or scholarly creative endeavors occurred while a member of the Virginia Tech faculty, although the work may be a continuation of research started before joining Virginia Tech;

• Evidence of each participant’s specific role and contributions when work was done jointly.

Application materials:

• Nomination letter (from self or others) highlighting nominee’s research expertise and success (1 page maximum).

• Summary of nominee’s research or scholarly creative activities (1 page maximum)

• A curriculum vitae (5 pages maximum)

• One letter of support, either internal or external, documenting the significance of the research or creative scholarship (1 page maximum). 

Recognition:

Plaque and $500 for professional development.

2025-2026 Guidelines:

The CLAHS Advising Awards recognize faculty and staff who demonstrate excellence in academic advising for undergraduate or graduate students. These awards highlight outstanding advising practices, alignment with professional standards, and meaningful contributions to student success. Up to two awards may be given each year: one for undergraduate advising and one for graduate advising.

Eligibility:

• Nominee must be a full-time College faculty member (A/P, research, or T&R) or staff member for whom advising undergraduate or graduate students is an assigned responsibility.

• Nominee must demonstrate sustained excellence in advising and active engagement with students, colleagues, and the broader College community.

Undergraduate Advising Award Criteria:

1. Advising Excellence

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates caring, empathy, active listening, respect, and social awareness in interactions with students, colleagues, and staff.
• Advising Competencies: Engages in conceptual, informational, and relational advising practices that foster student development and success.
• Use of Resources: Provides appropriate referrals and disseminates relevant academic and career resources. 
• Professional Engagement: Participates in and supports advisor development programs, professional learning, and collaboration.
• Transformative Approach: Advising reflects CLAHS values by centering humanity, fostering inclusivity, and encouraging critical thinking.

2. Student-Centered Impact

• Supports student success and progress toward academic and career goals. 
• Engages in proactive advising interventions aligned with supervisory expectations (e.g., course registration support, early alerts, academic standing guidance).
• Maintains availability to students consistent with supervisory expectations.
• Documents advising interactions in Navigate or equivalent systems to contribute to a holistic student record.

3. College and Campus Involvement

• Collaborates across departments, programs, and university partners to support student success initiatives.
• Participates in additional advising and development activities, such as new student advising, workshops, or events.

Graduate Advising Award Criteria:

• Fostering of high and inclusive academic standards in the classroom, research laboratory, performance setting, and beyond.

• Positive role modeling as a professional with deep personal integrity, high ethical standards, a solid commitment to inclusion and diversity, support for completion of the program of study in a timely manner, and achievable standards for personal excellence.

• Substantial influence on the academic and professional pursuits of students that may include support for or co-authorship/co-production of funded research, publications, creative performances and products, and presentations at national or international conferences or performance venues.

• Evidence of sustained and active mentoring of students over time including professional productivity of students as reflected in their record of scholarly or professional accomplishments.

• Nominations by graduate students are encouraged. Each program should set a procedure for soliciting nominations from graduate students.

Application materials:

1. Nomination Letter (1 page maximum)

• Submitted by the nominee (self), a colleague, supervisor, or direct report.
• Summarizes the nominee’s qualifications and provides specific examples of how they demonstrate excellence in the award criteria.
• May reference information not included elsewhere in the application.
• Clearly indicate the award category: undergraduate or graduate advising.

2. Personal Advising Philosophy Statement (1 page maximum)

• Written by the nominee.
• Articulates the nominee’s approach to advising and how it reflects both the university’s advising mission and the CLAHS mission and values.
• Nominees for the undergraduate advising award should demonstrates how their philosophy embodies NACADA’s core values of caring, commitment, empowerment, inclusivity, integrity, professionalism, and respect; shows engagement with NACADA’s core competencies (conceptual, informational, and relational) through examples of practice; and reflects on how their advising contributes to student growth and agency by helping students develop the skills to take active responsibility for their academic and career decisions.

3. Letters of Support (2 page maximum)

• May include letters or excerpts from students (current or alumni), direct reports, colleagues, or supervisors.
• Provide specific examples of the nominee’s impact on students, peers, or programs.
• Should clearly illustrate alignment with the award criteria.

Recognition:

Plaque and $500 for professional development

2025-2026 Guidelines:

To recognize outstanding accomplishments and contributions in outreach and/or international initiatives.  Up to two awards will be given for Excellence in Outreach and International Initiatives.

Recipient(s) must be College full-time faculty members or a team of faculty led by a College faculty member.  Nominations may be for individuals or teams. 

Criteria for the Award for Outreach Activities:

• Evidence of outstanding, focused, and innovative outreach program(s) geared to solve current problems or recognized needs of people or organizations; subject matter expertise; work with other organizations, group or individuals; communication methods utilized in the outreach program; creative methods or ideas used to solve the problems or meet the needs.

• Evidence of dissemination of results through various means including, but not limited to, consulting activities, leadership recognition, books, major publications, professional awards or recognition, Cooperative Extension, Center sponsored programs, web information sites, continuing education programs, education programs, or other activities within the college or university.

Criteria for the Award for International Initiatives:

• Evidence of outstanding accomplishments and/or activities in international education, outreach, and/or research, such as, but not limited to:

  • Development and leadership of academic programs abroad;
  • Development of faculty or student exchange opportunities;
  • Curricular developments involving an international component;
  • Engagement in international scholarly or creative collaborations;
  • Engagement in international outreach.

• The impact, significance, and sustainability of the accomplishments and/or activities will be considered by the review committee.

Application:

• Nomination letter (from self or others) highlighting contributions to outreach and/or international initiatives (1 page maximum).

• Description of outreach and/or international initiative program that addresses the selection criteria and list of outcomes or products, as applicable (1 page maximum).

• One letter of support describing constituents served by the nominee’s activities (1 page maximum).

Recognition:

Plaque and $500 for professional development.

2025-2026 Guidelines

Questions about the Outstanding Staff Award can be sent to CLAHS Staff Association President Cammie Sgarrella, csgarrella@vt.edu

Nominations for the College's Outstanding Staff Awards will be reviewed by the CLAHS Staff Association. Two staff members will be selected to receive this award. Please use the form below to submit your nominations by January 29, 2026. 

The Outstanding Staff Awards celebrate outstanding staff members who excel in their roles, demonstrate commitment to our college's mission, and contribute meaningfully to our community. This process aims to recognize nominees who go above and beyond in their contributions, helping our college and their unit achieve new heights.

Nominees must be in their position for at least twelve months and employed by Virginia Tech for at least two years. Student wage and emergency hires are not eligible for this award. The staff members who receive this award will not be eligible for consideration again for another five years.

How to Nominate

1. Initial Nomination

A faculty or staff member must submit the nomination form that addresses three key areas of excellence. Please answer the three following questions with specific examples and a maximum of 500 words per question. When addressing these topics, nominators might also consider how the nominee exhibits professionalism and integrity, as well as the ways in which they go above and beyond to support the CLAHS community (including faculty, staff, and/or students).

•  Model Job Performance: How does the nominee demonstrate consistency and show dedication to quality and efficiency in their role? In what ways does the nominee go above and beyond the basic requirements of their position?
•  Contributions to College Mission and Goals: How does the nominee make meaningful contributions to support the broader goals of the college, such as fostering student success, supporting academic initiatives, and/or enhancing operational efficiency? What impact have their efforts made on the college and/or unit?
•  Innovation and Creativity: In what ways has the nominee displayed innovative thinking to improve processes/workflows, solve problems, and/or create new initiatives that positively impact the college community?

2. Nominee Follow-up

After the initial nomination is submitted, representatives from the CLAHS Staff Association will reach out to the nominee to complete two additional steps:

•  Self-Reflection Response: The nominee will be invited to share a brief written response about their achievements and why they believe they deserve the award.
• Additional Reference Contact: The nominee will provide a contact for an additional person who can offer further insight into their contributions and impact.

3. Supporting Letter from Additional Reference

Lastly, we will request a letter from the nominee’s reference, offering a second perspective on the nominee’s performance, teamwork, and contribution to the college. The reference should ideally be a CLAHS employee, or from a unit that works closely with CLAHS, who can fairly and accurately evaluate the nominee's contributions.

Evaluation Process

All submitted materials will be evaluated holistically, with attention to the quality of the examples and depth of information provided. A scoring rubric, available for viewing by all nominators, will guide our assessment of each candidate’s qualifications. The rubric includes the following areas, tailored to each category of evaluation:

• Model Job Performance: Evaluates whether the nominee consistently exceeds job expectations and demonstrates commitment to quality.

• Contributions to College Mission and Goals: Assesses the nominee’s alignment with and impact on college objectives, such as student/staff/faculty support and operational improvements.  

• Innovation and Creativity: Measures the extent to which the nominee brings innovative solutions and/or ideas to their role.
  

Each nomination will be reviewed against these criteria to ensure a well-rounded and fair evaluation, distinguishing between nominees who go above and beyond what is expected of them, those who meet the expectations of their role, and those who may not fully meet the award’s criteria.

Recognition:

Each recipient will receive a plaque and $3,000 award. 

2025-2026 Guidelines:

The Ut Prosim  Award honors faculty, staff and graduate students who have made a significant contribution to improve campus climate with regards to the University mission of serving the community. Up to two awards will be given for Ut Prosim contributions. 

Recipient(s) must be College full-time faculty members, staff members, or graduate students at Virginia Tech. The award may be granted jointly to two or more persons when contributions were led by the College faculty members, staff, or graduate students.  A measure of preference will be given to nominees whose work may not have been previously recognized through this or similar awards. 

Criteria for the Award:

Evidence of a leadership role beyond the expectations of their positions and that has resulted in accomplishment of one or more of the following objectives:

• Improve the quality of service to communities in and beyond Virginia Tech;

• Plan and implement institutional change related to issues of Ut Prosim; or

• Educate members of the campus community to appreciate how the university serves the public.

Application materials:  

• A nomination letter (from self or others) describing the nominee’s qualifications and contributions to Ut Prosim at Virginia Tech and clearly indicating how these contributions and efforts to promote Ut Prosim go beyond normal job expectations. Information regarding previous awards should be included in the nomination letter (2 pages maximum).

• A summary of the nominee’s activities (2 pages maximum).

• One or two letters of support from individuals familiar with the nominee’s contributions (1 page maximum each). 

Recognition:

Plaque and $500 for professional development.

2025-2026 Guidelines:

To support excellence in faculty scholarship within the college that reflects the engagement mission of the university. This award was made possible by the Niles family, alumni, faculty, and friends through the Dean Jerry A. and Ruth Anne Niles Fund for Faculty Excellence.  Its purpose is to honor the vision and tireless work of Dean Niles to the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and to the field of education, and to recognize in particular his commitment to the university’s land-grant mission. In addition, the award honors Ruth Anne Niles, his wife, for her support of his work and the college. One land grant scholar award will be given.

Recipient(s) must be College full-time faculty members who have been at Virginia Tech who have demonstrated exemplary scholarship of engagement. The award may be granted to two or more persons when the work was done jointly and was led by a College faculty member. Faculty engaged with international, national, regional, and local communities are encouraged to be nominated for recognition as Land Grant Scholars.

Criteria for the Award:

• The scholarship enhances the lives of individuals, families, communities or society beyond the walls of the university;

• The scholarship is founded on a principle of mutual collaboration between the scholar and the public;

• The scholar recognizes and articulates the reciprocal benefits of the collaborative and participatory nature of this work;  

• The scholarship is shared publicly in presentations or publications (ideally in partnership with community collaborators); and 

• The scholarship engages students (when appropriate).  

Application:

• Nomination letter (from self or others) highlighting nominee’s scholarship of engagement and its impact (1 page maximum).

• Summary of nominee’s scholarship of engagement, with focus on how this scholarship addresses the evaluation criteria listed above (1 page maximum).

• One letter of support documenting significance of this scholarship of engagement (1 page maximum).

Recognition:

Plaque and $1,500 for professional development.

2025-2026 Guidelines:

The Graduate School each year acknowledges the outstanding graduate student in each college. One award will be given to a master's student and one award to a doctoral student in the College. Winners will receive $500 and a certificate at the Graduate Awards Banquet.

Any graduate student enrolled during the current academic year is eligible. Submission of a nomination is open to anyone who wishes to nominate self or other. More information about the Outstanding Graduate Student awards is available from the Graduate School website.

Criteria for the Award

The committee will look for evidence of outstanding performance in two or more of the following areas:

• Teaching could include mentoring of undergraduate or graduate students, advising, graduate teaching assistantships, assistance with classes, and other aspects of teaching and advising.

• Research could include course work, seminar projects, theses, publications, presentations, and performances.

• Outreach or Professional Development could include work with audiences outside of Virginia Tech in local, regional, national or international communities, or contributions to collaborative projects, workshops, training sessions, and other forms of professional service.

Application materials:

• A statement by the nominee identifying contributions and achievements in teaching, research, and outreach or professional development (1 page maximum);

• A curriculum vitae (1 page maximum);

• Two letters of support from College faculty members that speak to the nominee’s accomplishments (1 page maximum each). 

The College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Awards and Honors Committee invites nominations of faculty, staff, and graduate students for college recognition.  This document includes all the necessary information related to the College’s awards. Please note that there is no limit on the number of award nominations that can be forwarded to the committee. For all faculty awards, winners are not eligible for re-nomination for the same award for a period of three years. We encourage all faculty, as well as staff and graduate students, as appropriate, to nominate themselves or to nominate their colleagues.