Dean’s Faculty and Staff Awards Program

CBAS Distinguished Research Award
Purpose and Criteria
The Distinguished Research Award is designed to recognize a member in the College of Basic and
Applied Sciences (CBAS) who has developed a record of outstanding research. The ideal candidate for
the Distinguished Research Award shall be a faculty member including department chairs:

1. With a distinguished research record.
2. Whose research contributions are long-term and extend past the current academic year. Research
   contributions over the past 3 years will receive special consideration.
3. Whose outstanding research record is supported by excellence in the classroom and a commitment
   to service.
   Each of the above criteria must be met in order to receive the Distinguished Research Award. Each
   recipient will be honored with a plaque and a monetary award. No award will be made if, in the
   opinion of the CBAS Awards Committee and/or the Dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences,
   there is no nominee who adequately meets these criteria.
   Eligibility
   1. Full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty members in CBAS who have completed at least 3 academic
      years of employment in the College are eligible if they have not previously received the
      Distinguished Research Award at either the College or University level within the last 5 years.
   2. Members of the CBAS Awards Committee in a given year are not eligible to be nominated for the
      award.

Nomination Process
Only electronic submissions in pdf format will be accepted. This packet of information should be
submitted from the nominator’s email address to cbasawards@mtsu.edu Please include the name of the
award in the subject line of your email to simplify the process for committee members reviewing the
nominations. The submission should include the following:

1. A letter of nomination detailing the reasons for the nomination (no more than 1,200 words).
   Please specifically address points in the above “purpose and criteria” section.
2. 2 letters of support from full-time CBAS employees who are not the nominee.
3. A statement from the nominee describing current research (no more than 1,200 words). This
   statement should be written at a level appropriate for faculty representing diverse disciplines. In
   addition to a description of current activities, the statement should address the long-term
   significance of the nominee’s total body of research to their field of study.
4. The nominee’s curriculum vitae with relevant activities highlighted for work done at MTSU for
   the past 3 years.

Selection Process

The College of Basic and Applied Sciences Awards Committee will evaluate nominations and make a
recommendation to the Dean of the College. Final selection will be made by the Dean, who will inform the recipient(s) of their award.

This packet of information should be submitted from the nominator’s email address to cbasawards@mtsu.edu no later than July 31, 2025.

CBAS Faculty Service Award
Purpose and Criteria
The Faculty Service Award is designed to recognize a faculty member in the College of Basic and
Applied Sciences (CBAS) who has developed a record of outstanding professional service. The ideal
candidate for the Faculty Service Award shall be a faculty member including department chairs:

1. Whose professional service supports and contributes to the teaching and research missions of the
   College or to the broader missions of the University or community.
2. Whose outstanding professional service record is long-term and extends past the current academic
   year. Service contributions over the past 3 years will receive special consideration.
   Each of the above criteria must be met in order to receive the Faculty Service Award. Each
   recipient will be honored with a plaque and a monetary award. No award will be made if, in the
   opinion of the CBAS Awards Committee and/or the Dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences,
   there is no nominee who adequately meets these criteria.
   Eligibility
   • Full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty members including departmental chairs in CBAS who have
     completed at least 3 academic years of employment in the College are eligible if they have not
     previously received the Faculty Service Award at either the College or University level within the
     last 5 years.
   • Members of the CBAS Awards Committee in a given year are not eligible to be nominated for this
     award.

Nomination Process
Only electronic submissions in pdf format will be accepted. This packet of information should be
submitted from the nominator’s email address to cbasawards@mtsu.edu Please include the name of the
award in the subject line of your email to simplify the process for committee members reviewing the
nominations. The submission should include the following:

1. A letter of nomination detailing the reasons for the nomination (no more than 1,200 words).
   Please specifically address points in the above “purpose and criteria” section.
2. 2 letters of support from full-time CBAS employees who are not the nominee.
3. A statement from the nominee describing current service activity (no more than 1,200 words). In
   addition to a description of current activities, the statement should address the long-term
   significance of the nominee’s total body of service to the university and community.
4. The nominee’s curriculum vitae with relevant activities highlighted for work done at MTSU for
   the past 3 years.

Selection Process

The College of Basic and Applied Sciences Awards Committee will evaluate nominations and make a
recommendation to the Dean of the College. Final selection will be made by the Dean, who will inform the recipient(s) of their award.

This packet of information should be submitted from the nominator’s email address to cbasawards@mtsu.edu no later than July 31, 2025.

CBAS Teaching Excellence Award
College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Middle Tennessee State University
Purpose and Criteria
The College of Basic and Applied Sciences Teaching Excellence Award is designed to celebrate and
honor consistent excellence in teaching. The ideal candidate for the Teaching Excellence Award
shall be a faculty member including department chairs and full-time temporary faculty:

1. Who is recognized by both colleagues and students as a teacher of the highest caliber who is
   dedicated to the learning enterprise by challenging students to fulfill their potential as learners
   and demonstrating teaching excellence across all courses offered.
2. Who is involved in creative teaching and learning activities outside the boundaries of
   traditional course work (e.g., research on teaching; presentations to other educators; partnerships
   with other academic institutions; study abroad; service learning; integrative learning activities).
   Each of the above criteria must be met in order to receive the Teaching Excellence Award. Each
   recipient will be honored with a plaque and a monetary award. No award will be made if, in the
   opinion of the Selection Committee and/or the Dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences,
   there is no nominee who adequately meets these criteria.
   Eligibility
3. Full-time faculty members in CBAS who have completed at least 3 consecutive academic years of
   employment in the College are eligible if they have not previously received the Teaching Excellence
   Award at either the College or University level within the last 5 years.
4. Members of the Award Selection Committee in a given year are not eligible to be nominated for
   the Award.
   Nomination Process
   • Only electronic submissions in pdf format will be accepted. This packet of information should be
   • submitted to cbasawards@mtsu.edu from the nominator’s email address. Please include the name of the award in the subject line of your email to simplify the process for committee members reviewing the
   • nominations. The submission packet should include the following:
   • A letter of nomination from a tenured faculty member detailing the reasons for the nomination
     that also includes observational notes from a tenured faculty member. Please specifically address
     points 1 and 2 of the above “purpose and criteria” section (no more than 1,200 words).
   • The nominee’s curriculum vitae with relevant activities highlighted for work done at MTSU for
     the past 3 years.
   • One paragraph description of your teaching philosophy.
   • Finalists must submit course evaluations from the previous two semesters. These evaluations will
     be considered for selection of the final award recommendation to the Dean.
   • Finalists must also provide a short (10-minute) presentation summarizing their teaching
     philosophy. Presentation requirements will be provided to finalists in a separate document.

Selection Process

The College of Basic and Applied Sciences Awards Committee will evaluate nominations and make a
recommendation to the Dean of the College. Final selection will be made by the Dean, who will inform the recipient(s) of their award.

This packet of information should be submitted from the nominator’s email address to cbasawards@mtsu.edu no later than July 31, 2025.

Dean’s Staff Award for Exemplary Service to the College
Purpose and Criteria
The CBAS Dean’s Staff Award for Exemplary Service is presented to a full- time classified,
administrative, or professional staff member in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences for
exemplary service and support towards achieving the mission of the college. The purpose of the
award is to recognize and reward those individuals who provide superior service and make
extraordinary contributions above and beyond standard job expectations. Nominations must include
details of exemplary service within the following five areas:

1. Outstanding and sustained contributions above and beyond normal job responsibilities; volunteers
   for additional assignments.
2. Identifies needs and takes initiative to solve problems.
3. Exemplary service to students, faculty, and/or staff within an academic unit or at the College
   level; and/or to the broader university community as a representative of the College.
4. Positive influence in the workplace: contributes significantly to a team atmosphere that
   promotes a creative and productive work environment.
5. Excellence in the performance of responsibilities.
   Each of the above criteria must be met in order to receive the Dean’s Staff Award for Exemplary
   Service. Each recipient will be honored with a plaque and a monetary award. No award will be made
   if, in the opinion of the CBAS Awards Committee and/or the Dean of the College of Basic and Applied
   Sciences, there is no nominee who adequately meets these criteria.
   Eligibility
6. Nominees must be full-time classified, administrative, or professional staff members in the
   College of Basic and Applied Sciences with a minimum of 3 years of continuous service as a
   full-time benefitted employee who has not received this award in the past 5 years.
7. Members of the CBAS Awards Committee in a given year are not eligible for nomination.
   • Nomination Process Only electronic submissions in pdf format will be accepted. Submit this packet of information from the nominator’s email address to cbasawards@mtsu.edu.

Please include the name of the award in the subject line of your email to simplify the process for
committee members reviewing the nominations. A completed nomination packet must include the
following:

1. A letter of nomination detailing the reasons for the nomination (no more than 1,200 words).
   Please specifically address points in the above “purpose and criteria” section.
2. If other than self-nomination, a statement from the nominee detailing current responsibilities and their record of exemplary service (no more than 1,200 words). In addition to a description of current responsibilities, the statement should address the long-term significance of the nominee’s contributions to CBAS.
3. A letter of support from another full-time employee in CBAS describing how the nominee’s
   performance merits recognition for exemplary service and has consistently shown superior or
   extraordinary performance.

Selection Process
The College of Basic and Applied Sciences Awards Committee will evaluate nominations and make a
recommendation to the Dean of the College. Final selection will be made by the Dean, who will inform the recipient(s) of their award.

This packet of information should be submitted from the nominator’s email address to cbasawards@mtsu.edu no later than July 31, 2025.

CBAS Distinguished Doctoral Research Award
Purpose and Criteria

The Distinguished Doctoral Research Award is designed to recognize a doctoral student in the
College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) who has developed a record of outstanding research.
The ideal candidate for this award shall be a doctoral student in CBAS:

1. With a distinguished research record.
2. Whose research contributions are long-term and extend beyond the present academic year. These
   should be included in the nominee’s research statement.
   Each of the above criteria must be met in order to receive the Distinguished Doctoral Research
   Award. Each recipient will be honored with a plaque and a monetary award. No award will be made if,
   in the opinion of the CBAS Awards Committee and/or the Dean of the College of Basic and Applied
   Sciences, there is no nominee who adequately meets these criteria.
   Eligibility
3. Doctoral students in CBAS are eligible if they have not previously received the CBAS
   Distinguished Doctoral Research Award.
4. Nominees must be in at least the 3rd year of their doctoral program.

Nomination Process
Only electronic submissions in pdf format will be accepted. This packet of information should be
submitted from the nominator’s email address to cbasawards@mtsu.edu

Please include the name of the award in the subject line of your email to simplify the process for
committee members reviewing the nominations. The submission should include the following:

1. A letter of nomination from a research mentor or program director detailing the reasons for the
   nomination. Please specifically address points in the above “purpose and criteria” section (no more
   than 1,200 words).
2. A research statement from the nominee describing current research (no more than 1,200 words).
   This statement should be written at a level appropriate for diverse scientific disciplines. In
   addition to a description of current activities, the statement should address the significance of
   the nominee’s long-term contributions of their research to the field of study.
3. The nominee’s curriculum vitae with relevant activities highlighted for work done at MTSU.
4. Peer reviewed publications, conference papers, and previously presented posters/presentations
   resulting from work done at MTSU. A list of teaching activities relevant to a nominee’s research
   can also be included.

Selection Process

The College of Basic and Applied Sciences Awards Committee will evaluate nominations and make a
recommendation to the Dean of the College. Final selection will be made by the Dean, who will inform the recipient(s) of their award.

This packet of information should be submitted from the nominator’s email address to cbasawards@mtsu.edu no later than July 31, 2025.

CBAS Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award
Purpose and Criteria

The Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award is designed to recognize an undergraduate level
student in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) who has developed a record of
outstanding research. The ideal candidate for this award shall be an undergraduate level student
in CBAS:

1. With an outstanding research record.
2. With a demonstrated ability to balance academic coursework with research activities.
   Each of the above criteria must be met in order to receive the Outstanding Undergraduate Research
   Award. Each recipient will be honored with a plaque and a monetary award. No award will be made if,
   in the opinion of the CBAS Awards Committee and/or the Dean of the College of Basic and Applied
   Sciences, there is no nominee who adequately meets these criteria.
   Eligibility
   • Undergraduate level students in CBAS are eligible if they have not previously received the CBAS
     Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award.
   • Nominees must be in at least the junior or senior year of their undergraduate degree program.
   • Nominees must have maintained a minimum of a 3.0 GPA during the academic
     year immediately prior to the year of the award.

Nomination Process
Only electronic submissions in pdf format will be accepted. This packet of information should be
submitted from the nominator’s email address to cbasawards@mtsu.edu

Please include the name of the award in the subject line of your email to simplify the process for
committee members reviewing the nominations. The submission should include the following:

1. A letter of nomination from a research mentor detailing the reasons for the nomination. Please
   specifically address points in the above “purpose and criteria” section (no more than 1,200 words).
2. A research statement from the nominee describing current research (no more than 1,200 words).
   This statement should be written at a level appropriate for diverse scientific disciplines.
3. A copy of the nominee’s unofficial undergraduate transcript.
4. Peer reviewed publications, conference papers, and previously presented posters/presentations
   resulting from work done at MTSU. A list of teaching activities relevant to a nominee’s research
   can also be included.

Selection Process

The College of Basic and Applied Sciences Awards Committee will evaluate nominations and make a
recommendation to the Dean of the College. Final selection will be made by the Dean, who will inform the recipient(s) of their award.

This packet of information should be submitted from the nominator’s email address to cbasawards@mtsu.edu no later than July 31, 2025.

CBAS Outstanding Master’s Research Award
Purpose and Criteria

The Outstanding Master’s Research Award is designed to recognize a master’s student in the College
of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) who has developed a record of outstanding research. The ideal
candidate for this award shall be a master’s student in CBAS:

1. With a distinguished research record.
2. Whose research contributions are long-term and extend beyond the present academic year. These
   should be included in the nominee’s research statement.
   Each of the above criteria must be met in order to receive the Outstanding Master’s Research Award.
   Each recipient will be honored with a plaque and a monetary award. No award will be made if, in the
   opinion of the CBAS Awards Committee and/or the Dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences,
   there is no nominee who adequately meets these criteria.
   Eligibility
3. Master’s students in CBAS are eligible if they have not previously received the
   CBAS Outstanding Master’s Research Award.
4. Nominees must be in at least the 2nd year of their master’s program.

Nomination Process
Only electronic submissions in pdf format will be accepted. This packet of information should be
submitted from the nominator’s email address to cbasawards@mtsu.edu

Please include the name of the award in the subject line of your email to simplify the process for
committee members reviewing the nominations. The submission should include the following:

1. A letter of nomination from a research mentor or program director detailing the reasons for the
   nomination. Please specifically address points in the above “purpose and criteria” section (no more
   than 1,200 words).
2. A research statement from the nominee describing current research (no more than 1,200 words).
   This statement should be written at a level appropriate for diverse scientific disciplines. In
   addition to a description of current activities, the statement should address the significance of
   the nominee’s long-term contributions of their research to the field of study.
3. The nominee’s curriculum vitae with relevant activities highlighted for work done at MTSU.
4. Peer reviewed publications, conference papers, and previously presented posters/presentations
   resulting from work done at MTSU. A list of teaching activities relevant to a nominee’s research
   can also be included.

Selection Process

The College of Basic and Applied Sciences Awards Committee will evaluate nominations and make a
recommendation to the Dean of the College. Final selection will be made by the Dean, who will inform the recipient(s) of their award.

This packet of information should be submitted from the nominator’s email address to cbasawards@mtsu.edu no later than July 31, 2025.