Distinguished Faculty Awards

GUIDELINES

Award Categories:

Distinguished Faculty Awards are given for Research, Teaching, and Service.

• Two awards of $2,000 each may be given for Research.
• Three awards of $2,000 each may be given for Teaching, at least one of which shall be given to a Lecturer, Professor of Practice, Law Clinical, or Legal Writing Professor.
• Three awards of $2,000 each may be given for Service, at least one of which shall be given to a Lecturer, Professor of Practice, Law Clinical, or Legal Writing Professor.

Eligibility for the Distinguished Faculty Awards: 

All regular, full-time faculty members of Cleveland State University (including department chairpersons) with at least six years of service are eligible for nomination for the awards. Past recipients are not eligible for nomination in the same category for a minimum of six years after receiving that award. Those who are serving on the Distinguished Faculty Selection Committee are ineligible.

Criteria for Nomination: 

In all cases, nominees must demonstrate an acceptable overall contribution to Cleveland State University as well as distinguished achievement in the specific award category. 

The Distinguished Teaching Award is intended to honor those whose teaching at Cleveland State is recognized as exceptionally strong, including:

• Teaching quality: Excellence in classroom teaching, mentoring, or pedagogy, supported by recognitions, evaluations, or testimonials.
• Curriculum development: Creation or substantial revision of courses, or leadership in curriculum or program design.
• Student success outcomes: Documented evidence of student learning, achievements, or professional development linked to the nominee’s teaching.

The Distinguished Research Award is intended to honor those whose research, scholarship, or creative work has been recognized in the scholarly or creative community as exceptional, including: 

• Sustained production: A consistent, meaningful record of scholarly or creative output appropriate to the discipline.
• Marquee quality: Work in prestigious or selective venues, significant grants, or high-profile creative accomplishments.
• Impact: Influence on the field, practice, or public discourse as shown through citations, invited talks, leadership roles, or other recognition.

The Distinguished Service Award is intended to honor those whose service has been exceptional within and/or outside the University, including:

• Internal service: Substantial contributions to shared governance, program development, or administrative leadership.
• External service: Active engagement with the profession or community beyond CSU, such as leadership in associations, editorial work, advisory roles, or partnerships.
• Impact: Tangible outcomes—programs, policies, strengthened partnerships, or other achievements—demonstrating broad influence and benefit.

Distinguished Faculty Selection Committee: 

The Selection Committee shall consist of seven faculty members appointed by the Academic Steering Committee of Faculty Senate and two students appointed by the Student Appointment Board. The Chair shall be appointed from among the faculty members by the Academic Steering Committee. The Committee should include representatives of various disciplines and research traditions.

Procedure for Nomination: 

1. Any member of the regular full-time faculty of CSU who is not currently serving on the Distinguished Faculty Selection Committee (including Department Chairs/School Directors and College Deans) may nominate a candidate for a Distinguished Teaching, Research, or Service Award. Self-nomination is not permitted.
2. Each nomination must include:
   • A nomination form,
   • A supporting testimonial from the nominator, and
   • A current curriculum vitae of the candidate.
3. An effective nomination package should contain documentation demonstrating distinguished teaching, research, and/or service, depending on the award. Examples include evidence of teaching effectiveness, course or program development materials, reviews of scholarly or creative work, additional testimonials, grant summaries, leadership documentation, or other materials that clearly establish impact.
4. All CSU faculty members are invited to nominate one candidate. A faculty member may contribute supporting testimonials for any number of nominees, provided they are not the principal nominator.

How to upload a nomination packet:

Interfolio / eDossier Instructions - How to Upload a Nomination Packet