Guidelines for Distinguished Teaching Professor

The title of Distinguished Teaching Professor shall be conferred upon members of the faculty already holding the rank of Professor whose extraordinary achievements as effective teachers in their discipline or in interdisciplinary fields deserve special recognition.

Distinguished University Professors will receive a $1,000 increase to base salary compensation starting with the subsequent academic year. In addition, the faculty member will receive $1,000 professional development funds annually until retirement or separation of employment. Faculty members who currently hold a recognition from BGSU/College/Department that provides them with additional funding and was awarded based upon excellence of teaching, research and/or service, shall not be eligible for this professorship.

Nomination procedures

Faculty within the various units on campus have an understanding of the criteria of excellence appropriate to teaching within their disciplines or interdisciplinary fields. Accordingly, the letters of nomination should articulate an understanding of the distinctive excellence of the nominee. In addition, the nomination should include materials which provide evidence that the nominee has a sustained record as an excellent teacher. This evidence could include such things as:

• Student evaluations
• Peer evaluations
• Production of papers and articles addressing pedagogical issues
• Reputation as an effective teacher beyond the local student population, etc.

Components of a complete packet

• Nomination cover letter (maximum three pages)
• Curriculum vitae
• Deans endorsement letter
• Materials that provide evidence of a sustained record of excellence as a teacher (see nomination procedures)

The responsibility for gathering relevant evidence in support of the nominee’s superior performance is vested primarily in the nominating body, i.e., the person or persons who should be most well-acquainted with the professor as a teacher of distinction. Nominations shall be made to the Provost and Senior Vice President.

Criteria of teaching excellence 

The criteria of excellence in teaching vary considerably with the distinctive missions of colleges, schools, departments, and programs. Therefore, the committee members will rely on broad criteria of teaching excellence. Among such criteria are:

• Current knowledge of subject matter
• Responsible coverage of the subject
• Organization of course design and material
• Clarity of presentation
• Effectiveness of communication of the value of the subject matter
• Nominees’ capacity to instill and sustain interest, enthusiasm, and dedication in students
• Ability to establish rapport with students
• Pedagogical flexibility and creativity 
• Skill in evaluation
• The extent to which nominees encourage critical thinking and establish an atmosphere conducive to learning
  

Committee assessment

The Provost and Senior Vice President shall appoint a faculty committee to receive and review nominations for Distinguished Teaching Professor. The single standard of evaluation shall be agreement within the committee that the nominee, beyond reasonable debate, is and has been for an extended period of time an extraordinarily effective teacher. The committee shall solicit information from internal or external sources it considers to be appropriate and shall make a recommendation to the Provost and Senior Vice President on each nomination.

Award recommendations

• The Provost and Senior Vice President consults with the Council of Deans and forwards a recommendation to the President and Board of Trustees for action.
• The title is awarded by special resolution of the Board of Trustees. No more than one or two awards should be made in any given year, but none has to be made each year.
• Distinguished Teaching Professors are given special recognition and accorded other honors and privileges during their term that the President and the Board of Trustees deem appropriate
  

Nominations/Applications

Nominations/applications and supporting documentation must be submitted to the Office of the Provost, Kim Caris, assistant to the vice provost for faculty affairs, at kcaris@bgsu.edu.