Purpose: To recognize teaching excellence by Northern Michigan University’s part-time faculty
Eligibility: Any faculty member on a part-time appointment who has taught at least six semesters at NMU. Graduate teaching assistants are not eligible.
Criteria: Examples by which the nominees will be evaluated include:
- Recognized enthusiasm for teaching and learning
- Favorable student evaluations
- Positive peer observations
- Thorough knowledge of subject matter taught
- Demonstrated evidence of best practices for subject matter instruction
- Thoughtful creation of safe and open learning environments
- Planned development based on outcomes assessment data
- Ongoing commitment to self-improvement of teaching
Nominations: Nominations will be made by a department head. No self-nominations will be accepted.
Supporting evidence must be submitted in one PDF document not exceeding 25 pages and must include the following:
1. Letter of nomination from the department head, discussing the candidate's achievements in the above categories. Limit to two pages
2. Narrative from nominee that includes a teaching philosophy, reflecting on the above criteria. Limit to two pages
3. Qualitative and quantitative student opinion surveys
4. Peer Observation
Deadline: Completed nomination forms and all supporting documentation must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 to Claudia Mankee (cmankee@nmu.edu) in the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success.
Selection: A Selection Advisory Committee will be composed of one administrator, one full-time faculty, one part-time faculty, and one student; this committee will review all nominations and report their recommendation to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success.
Recognition: Recipients of the NMU Part-time Faculty Teaching Award will be recognized at the Spring Celebration of Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship. Annually, up to two recipients may each receive a cash award of $1,000.
Information: For further information, contact Claudia Mankee in the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success at (906) 227-2922 or at cmankee@nmu.edu.