This award is given in recognition of exceptional contribution and achievement as an educator or mentor.  The award is intended to be inclusive of, and thus reflective of, the breadth of educational and mentoring activities across the HSC.  This award recognizes excellence in education in its broadest sense, thus including but not limited to traditional classroom teaching, precepting in clinical settings, or mentoring in a lab or field environment.  

Criteria for eligibility/qualifications:

1. Nominees must be principal faculty members within the HSC who have had a distinguished record of teaching and/or mentoring over the course of no less than four years within the HSC.  
2. Nominees must be individuals whose command of their respective disciplines, innovative and rigorous teaching methodologies, pervasive caring, communication skills, and commitment to the learning process exemplify the meaning of teacher/mentor in its highest sense.  
3. Nominees should exemplify the core values and mission of the HSC and be viewed as academic and professional role models by the students they teach.  The extent to which a nominee’s distinguished record of achievement goes beyond the academic and institutional needs of a single component to enhance student learning, skills and professionalism and the development of future professionals overall should be considered as well.

Specific nominations procedure:

1. Nominees must be endorsed by a minimum of two principal faculty members from the nominee’s component.  The recommendation should speak to the nominee’s consistent dedication, outstanding performance and contribution as an educator over and above what is expected by the institutional requirements and responsibilities.
2. Nominations should include information supporting the quality of teaching and/or mentoring evidenced by the individual over time (e.g., summary of teaching evaluations, other teaching awards earned).
3. Nominees should be endorsed by the respective dean or director and submitted to the vice president for academic affairs (VPAA) for consideration.  All nominees for this award will be forwarded to the president by the VPAA.  

Previous Award Recipients:

• 2010: Dr. Ernestine Lacy, BCD
• 2008: Dr. Stephen Griffin, BCD
• 2006: Dr. Larry Gamm, SRPH