Recognizing Exceptional Leadership Across Campus
The Provost’s Academic Leadership Excellence Awards honor outstanding academic administrators who demonstrate vision, integrity, and impact in their leadership roles. These annual awards celebrate leaders who cultivate inclusive, high-performing cultures, advance strategic priorities, and support the success of faculty, staff, and students.
Department Chair Leadership Excellence Award
Recognizes department chairs who excel in building collegial departmental cultures, supporting faculty success, leading with transparency and shared governance, and effectively managing resources and operations.
Recognition
- Recognition at The Provost’s Celebration of Academic Leadership
- Professional development stipend ($5,000)
- Engraved plaque
- Invitation to serve as a mentor or panelist for Emerging Leaders or Leadership U
Eligibility
- Position: Department Chair (or equivalent)
- Length of Service: Minimum of 3 years in the role. In exceptional cases, nominees with at least 2 years of service may be considered when there is clear evidence of significant leadership impact and sustained organizational contribution.
- Employment Status: Full-time faculty, Tenure or Renewable Contract Faculty
Selection Criteria
Nominations should demonstrate excellence in Organizational Culture and at least two additional areas listed below.
Organizational Culture
Cultivates a transparent, trustworthy, accountable, and connected culture through clear communication, reliable follow-through, care for others, constructive engagement, and leadership decisions grounded in the success of people, programs, and the institution.
| Category | Example Indicators |
| Faculty & Staff Leadership | Mentors faculty, supports promotion/tenure, fosters trust, manages conflict constructively |
| Departmental Effectiveness | Improves morale, retention, workload equity, and communication |
| Academic Quality & Innovation | Strengthens curriculum, assessment, accreditation, or pedagogical practices |
| Shared Governance | Demonstrates inclusive decision-making and transparent processes |
| Operational Leadership | Effectively manages budgets, scheduling, personnel, and departmental operations |
Nomination Process
- Who may nominate: Nominations may be submitted by department faculty, department staff, deans, associate deans, or other academic leaders with direct knowledge of the chair’s leadership.
- Nomination packet includes:
- Nomination letter (1–2 pages): The letter should address the nominee’s leadership in organizational culture and at least two additional award criteria.
- Dean or associate dean endorsement. Required only if the dean or associate dean is not the primary nominator. This may be a brief letter or form confirming the nominee’s leadership impact, scope of responsibility, and alignment with college and institutional priorities.
Brief CV or leadership résumé, maximum 3 pages.
Optional statements of support, up to three brief statements, no more than 250 words each, from faculty, staff, department chairs, peer leaders, students, or other colleagues.
Assistant/Associate Dean Leadership Excellence Award
Recognizes assistant/associate deans who advance college-wide priorities, mentor chairs and faculty, lead strategic initiatives, and translate institutional vision into effective action.
Recognition
- Recognition at The Provost’s Celebration of Academic Leadership
- Professional development stipend ($5,000)
- Engraved plaque or featured campus story
- Invitation to speak or facilitate a session for Leadership U or Chair Development programs
Eligibility
- Position: Assistant/Associate Dean (or equivalent)
- Length of Service: Minimum of 3 years in the role. In exceptional cases, nominees with at least 2 years of service may be considered when there is clear evidence of significant leadership impact and sustained organizational contribution.
- Employment Status: Full-time faculty, Tenure or Renewable Contract Faculty
Selection Criteria
Nominations should demonstrate excellence in Organizational Culture and at least two additional areas listed below.
Organizational Culture
Cultivates a transparent, trustworthy, accountable, and connected culture through clear communication, reliable follow-through, care for others, constructive engagement, and leadership decisions grounded in the success of people, programs, and the institution.
| Category | Example Indicators |
| Program Leadership | Develops, sustains, or grows impactful academic or co-curricular programs |
| People-Centered Leadership | Supports faculty/staff development, morale, and collaboration |
| Innovation & Growth | Introduces new initiatives, partnerships, or delivery models |
| Operational Excellence | Demonstrates strong organization, communication, and fiscal stewardship |
| Mission Alignment | Advances unit and institutional mission and values |
Nomination Process
- Who may nominate:
- Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, students, administrators, supervisors, peer leaders, or other colleagues with direct knowledge of the nominee’s leadership and program impact.
- Nomination packet includes:
- A nomination letter, 1–2 pages, addressing the nominee’s excellence in Organizational Culture and at least two additional award criteria.
- A brief supervisor endorsement, required if the supervisor is not the primary nominator, confirming the nominee’s leadership role, scope of responsibility, program impact, and alignment with unit, college, or institutional priorities.
- Up to three optional brief statements of support, no more than 250 words each, from faculty, staff, students, peer leaders, campus partners, or other colleagues.
- A brief CV or leadership résumé, maximum 3 pages.
Brief CV or leadership résumé, maximum 3 pages.
Optional statements of support, up to three brief statements, no more than 250 words each, from faculty, staff, department chairs, peer leaders, students, or other colleagues.
Academic Leadership Excellence Award for Executive Directors, Directors, and Program Coordinators
Recognizes academic administrators and program leaders who demonstrate vision, innovation, and accountability in developing impactful programs, fostering collaborative environments, and enhancing student success and institutional impact.
Recognition
- Recognition at The Provost’s Celebration of Academic Leadership
- Professional development stipend ($5,000)
- Engraved plaque or campus feature story
- Invitation to participate in leadership panels or mentoring initiatives
Eligibility
- Positions: Executive Directors, Directors, or Program Coordinators with formal leadership responsibility
- Length of Service: Minimum of 3 years in the role. In exceptional cases, nominees with at least 2 years of service may be considered when there is clear evidence of significant leadership impact and sustained organizational contribution.
- Employment Status: Full-time appointment
Selection Criteria
Nominations should demonstrate excellence in Organizational Culture and at least two additional areas listed below.
Organizational Culture
Cultivates a transparent, trustworthy, accountable, and connected culture through clear communication, reliable follow-through, care for others, constructive engagement, and leadership decisions grounded in the success of people, programs, and the institution.
| Category | Example Indicators |
| Program Leadership | Develops, sustains, or grows impactful academic or co-curricular programs |
| People-Centered Leadership | Supports faculty/staff development, morale, and collaboration |
| Innovation & Growth | Introduces new initiatives, partnerships, or delivery models |
| Operational Excellence | Demonstrates strong organization, communication, and fiscal stewardship |
| Mission Alignment | Advances unit and institutional mission and values |
Nomination Process
- Who may nominate:
- Nominations may be submitted by college faculty, staff, department chairs, deans, peer associate/assistant deans, or other academic leaders with direct knowledge of the nominee’s leadership.
- Nomination packet includes:
- Nomination letter, 1–2 pages, addressing the nominee’s excellence in Organizational Culture and at least two additional award criteria.
- Dean endorsement, required if the dean is not the primary nominator. This may be a brief letter or form confirming the nominee’s leadership impact, scope of responsibility, and alignment with college and institutional priorities.
- Optional statements of support, up to three brief statements, no more than 250 words each, from faculty, staff, department chairs, peer leaders, students, or other colleagues.
- Brief CV or leadership résumé, maximum 3 pages.
Brief CV or leadership résumé, maximum 3 pages.
Optional statements of support, up to three brief statements, no more than 250 words each, from faculty, staff, department chairs, peer leaders, students, or other colleagues.
Nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of representatives from the Associate Dean Council, Leadership U Alumni Board, and the Office for Academic Affairs.