Nominate: TYCA-MW Teaching Excellence Award–Nominations Open

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Hi Colleagues,

Please see below for information on nominated an adjunct faculty member from the TYCA-Midwest region for the 2026 TYCA Midwest Teaching Excellence Award. Nominations are due 12/15/26. Please reach out with any questions.

Best,
Bethany Sweeney
TYCA-MW Secretary

2026 TYCA Midwest Teaching Excellence Award

The TYCA Midwest Teaching Excellence Awards are annual awards that recognize superior accomplishments in teaching among TYCA Midwest members. Recipients of these awards are recognized for having positively impacted their respective institutions through their teaching, service, or scholarly and creative activities, displaying consistent and engaging collegiality and a strong commitment to students. One Full-time Faculty Member and one Adjunct Faculty Member will receive the TYCA Midwest Teaching Excellence Awards in alternating years.

FULL-TIME FACULTY ELIGIBILITY (odd years)

Full-time faculty who teach at a two-year institution of higher learning in the TYCA Midwest region shall be eligible for nomination after one full academic year of teaching in a full-time position.

ADJUNCT FACULTY ELIGIBILITY (even years)

An adjunct faculty member is defined as any individual other than a full-time faculty member who is hired to teach classes at a two-year institution of higher learning. Adjunct faculty are eligible for nomination after they have taught a minimum of two terms at the same institution in the TYCA Midwest region.

CRITERIA

To be considered for this annual award, faculty must meet a majority of the following criteria:

  • Demonstrate a student-oriented approach to teaching.

  • Demonstrate disciplinary knowledge/skills in the subject area.

  • Use successful/innovative methodologies, techniques, or delivery methods in the classroom.

  • Provide effective support for students.

  • Provide service to their institution and/or professional field.

  • Engage in professional development in the field.

  • Display professionalism with students, colleagues, and the community.

NOMINATION PROCESS

Nominations and self-nominations are accepted for this award. Please complete this nomination form by December 15 to nominate yourself or a colleague. The 2026 award will be given to an adjunct faculty member.

AWARD SELECTION PROCESS

  • After nominations are received, nominees will be contacted and asked to share additional information about their teaching (we promise, it won’t be an overly onerous process!). Nominations will then be considered by a sub-committee consisting of at least three TYCA Midwest members, appointed by the TYCA Executive Committee.
  • Nominees will be evaluated based upon how well the submission materials demonstrate achievement of the above criteria.

THE AWARD

The award, which includes a plaque, will be presented each year in the first few months of the year following the year of the award (e.g, the 2026 award will be announced virtually in March 2027).