Award For Excellence in Teaching a Large Class
The purpose of this award is to recognize achievement in teaching in one of the most difficult contexts – class sections of more than 50 students.
Nominations for the current award cycle will open January 1, 2026 and are due March 27, 2026. See link to online application form below. Self-nominations are encouraged.
Criteria for Eligibility
- Must be a current full-time WSU faculty member at the rank of Lecturer or above at time of application.
- Nominees will demonstrate sustained instructional excellence in a large class over a minimum of three semesters, with attention to the following:
- Successful strategies to promote Inclusivity, diversity, equity and/or access
- Successful strategies for active learning
- Consistent record of positive student evaluations
- Teaching Academy members are not eligible for nomination.
- Please submit an nomination for one large class. If you teach multiple large classes, please submit separate nominations.
Takeaways
The awardee agrees to present at a relevant WSU teaching event within two years following the award.
Award
Awardee will receive $500 to be used for professional development in the following fiscal year, accompanied by an award plaque.
Application & Review Process
- Timing: Nominations will open January 1, 2026 and are due March 27, 2026.
- Applying: Complete the nomination form and click “submit.” *Submitting the nomination form indicates that you have read the above Criteria for Eligibility and agree to them.
- What to expect: Information solicited in the online nomination form:
- Nominee contact and WSU demographic information.
- Course prefix/number, name, semester(s), location, and # of enrolled students.
- Two 250-word reflections on: 1) Successful strategies to promote Inclusivity, diversity, equity and/or access, and 2) Successful strategies for active learning.
- A recent syllabus for the course.
- At least three semesters of student evaluations for the course in question. Evaluations should include student comments.
- Optional: One additional reference, set of evaluations, peer observation, or other documentation.