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Nomination Requirements for the Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

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Date for Submission: No later than Friday, July 12, 2013 

Summary of Nomination Requirements

Nominees will be evaluated based on their direct and/or indirect contributions to the scholarship of teaching and learning, as documented in such areas as student learning outcomes; peer-reviewed activities, such as funded research, publications, education journal reviews; involvement in national workshops, invited lectureships, and presentations at scholarly meetings. Nominees should document contributions to one or more of the following areas:

  • Direct Student Instruction: Educational activities documented through applied research activities including, but not limited to, classroom teaching, clinical teaching, community-based education, advisement, mentoring, curriculum and program development, special student projects, and/or service learning.
  • Public Service and Outreach: Teaching and presentations in continuing education; public service and outreach to practitioners, faculty, and the public; and/or development of programs connecting the University to communities throughout Minnesota; and/or strategies to enhance access to health professions education throughout Minnesota.
  • Academic Leadership: Service on committees and/or holding positions that provide guidance and direction to education in AHC programs; leadership in evidence-based curriculum innovation, and/or collaboration on the development of interprofessional education across AHC programs. 

Nominee

All full- and part-time faculty members, clinical track faculty, professional academic instructors, community-based faculty members and preceptors are eligible to be nominated.

Nominator

The nominator must be a current AHC faculty member or faculty emeritus. Self-nominations are not permitted. Nominators must submit the completed nomination packet that includes the letter of nomination, the nominee's CV and educator portfolio (described below), and external and internal letters of support.

Nomination letter

The nominator’s letter should summarize the nominee’s contributions and accomplishments in the relevant areas of instruction, scholarship, outreach, and/or academic leadership, as well as describe the impact of these efforts on AHC learners and educational programs. This letter should not exceed three pages.

Curriculum Vita

Complete curriculum vita.

Educator’s Portfolio

The nominator should assist the nominee in the preparation of an educator’s portfolio to document contributions to the scholarship of teaching and learning. Once completed, the portfolio should be sent to external and internal peers along with the request for letters of support (described below). Components of the educator’s portfolio should include:

  • Personal philosophy of teaching / education.
  • Reflective statement as an educator of 2-3 pages that includes such elements as: Career overview as educator, goals for self as an educator, contributions to education of future professionals; innovations in program(s), course(s), class assignments or clinical/experiential teaching; scholarly approach to teaching/learning.
  • List of awards, honors received related to teaching and/or advising, including training grants, and committee chairs/memberships.
  • List of courses, workshops, and other educational activities taught with example of at least one syllabus (if nominee is involved in direct instruction) and a summary of outcomes such as course evaluation, student outcomes, mentee’s career pathways, etc.
  • Descriptive and evaluative materials for an innovative project(s).
  • Scholarship and Research: If published in the area of the scholarship of teaching and learning, up to five papers published by the nominee(s) related to the scholarship of teaching and learning should be included in the Nomination Packet.

External and Internal Letters of Support for Inclusion in Nomination Packet

  • External Supporting Letters: The nominator will secure three supporting letters from peers or experts in teaching/learning external to the University of Minnesota. Based upon the review of the educator’s portfolio, the letters should include a statement about the impact that the nominee's work has had on students, peers, higher education generally and/or on their discipline.
  • Internal Supporting Letters: The nominator will secure three supporting letters from University of Minnesota faculty who have observed teaching, participated in teaching/learning activities, and/or reviewed products developed by the nominee. The nominator will ask the letter writers to focus on the importance of the nominee's contributions to their academic programs and/or the field of teaching-learning in their field, based on review of the educator’s portfolio. The letters should include a statement about the impact that the nominee's work has had on the University of Minnesota and, if appropriate, higher education and/or on their discipline.
  • Student/Learner Letters: The nominator will secure up to five supporting letters from current or former students whom the nominee has taught and/or advised. Student letters should focus on the quality/effectiveness of teaching and mentoring, the impact on student learning, and contributions to his/her careers.

Website Resources on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Submission process

Combine the described materials into a single pdf in the following order:

  1. Nominator’s letter
  2. Nominee’s CV
  3. Educator’s Portfolio
  4. Three external supporting letters
  5. Three internal supporting letters
  6. Up to five student/learner letters 

Screening and Selection Committee

The current members of the Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, members of the AHC Associate Deans of Education, and external reviewers recommended by the AHC Associate Deans for Education, will serve as the review committee and will review and evaluate materials for each nominee. Based upon this review, the Associate Vice President for Education will forward the recommendations to the Vice President for Health Sciences, who will have final authority on election of new members.

Submit the nomination materials in pdf format to:

Karla Hemesath at hemes002@umn.edu

Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences
410 Children’s Rehab Building, MMC 501
426 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

For questions or assistance with submitting materials, contact Karla Hemesath at 612-626-2334. 

Membership in the Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

The award will be presented in September each year at the Academies for Excellence event. To recognize lifetime membership, the recipient's picture will be placed on a "Wall of Honor" located on the second floor corridor between Moos Tower and the Phillips Wangensteen Building.

The recurring annual award of $10,000 is subject to IRS regulations and may incur a tax obligation. The financial award will cease once an individual leaves his/her position at the University, either by termination or retirement. If an individual returns to the University in another capacity, the financial award will not continue.

The Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences will be responsible for the administration of the Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.