Teacher Recognition and Effectiveness Committee (TREC)

The academic support award recognizes non-faculty support personnel who facilitate classroom activities, laboratory activities or coordination of experiential learning opportunities. Nominees must demonstrate leadership and have a direct impact on student learning.

All non-faculty support personnel at Wilkes are eligible for the award.

Nominees must submit:

• A personal statement describing how they provide academic support that impacts students at Wilkes.
• A curriculum vitae.

Awarded to an adjunct instructor who demonstrates excellence in teaching through innovative practices, forming relationships with students and/or contributing to the school/university. Those who are in the classroom part-time (including staff and administrators) are eligible for nomination.

Nominees must submit:

• A personal statement of their teaching philosophy.
• Syllabi and assignments created by the nominee for courses which he or she is primarily responsible for teaching or coordinating
• Student Response Survey (SRS) Summary Sheets (numerical responses) for three years and student comments as pertinent. However, the committee may ask for all forms for an individual course during the deliberation process.
• A curriculum vitae.

The alumni mentoring award is given annually to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in maintaining Wilkes' mentoring culture with University alumni.

Nominations are made by Wilkes’ alumni. In the provided area for the letter of support, alumni must provide their graduation year, e-mail address, the name and department of nominee (professor), and a statement that describes how the nominee continues to serve as a mentor.

Nominees must submit:

• A personal statement of their advising philosophy.
• Examples of how the nominee serves as an advisor to alumni.
• A curriculum vitae.

The Carpenter Award is given annually to recognize an outstanding faculty member for their excellence in teaching and student-centered research/projects at Wilkes University. This is the highest award offered by TREC.

Eligible persons include faculty members who have been full time employees of the university for at least seven years.

Carpenter Award winners will receive a plaque, framed certificate and $1,000 increase to base salary. Award winner will serve as the keynote speaker for the Wilkes University Winter Commencement.

Nominees must submit a portfolio, focusing on their excellence in teaching and student-centered research/projects. The portfolio must include (but is not limited to):

• Overall statement of contributions to Wilkes University
• A curriculum vitae
• Syllabi and assignments created by the nominee for courses which he or she is primarily responsible for teaching or coordinating.
• Information of the nominee's involvement in student research and/or independent projects.
• The nominee's self-evaluation reports for the preceding seven years.
• The chairperson's evaluations of the nominee for the preceding seven years (or dean, if chairperson is a nominee).
• Student Response Survey (SRS) Summary Sheets (numerical responses) for selected courses and student comments as pertinent. However, the committee may ask for all forms for an individual course during the deliberation process.

The innovative/non-traditional teaching award is given annually to recognize a faculty or staff member who successfully incorporates innovative and/or non-traditional strategies into at least one or more classes.

Nominees must submit:

• A personal statement of their teaching philosophy as it relates to innovation and non-traditional strategies in the classroom.
• A statement of teaching innovation with a portfolio illustrating the innovative approach(es) in comparison to traditional teaching methods. The portfolio should demonstrate how the faculty member engages students in learning experiences that enrich mastery of concepts/theories and joint faculty-student research projects. Examples can include: course syllabi, projects that engage students, effective small group teaching strategies, collaborative methods, advanced use of technology in the classroom, consistent student-centered, interactive classroom, etc.
• A curriculum vitae.
• Student Response Survey (SRS) Summary Sheets (numerical responses) for relevant courses and student comments as pertinent. However, the committee may ask for all forms for an individual course during the deliberation process.

The interdisciplinary award is given annually to recognize an individual or cross-disciplinary team who demonstrates outstanding initiatives in the classroom or through research to further the ideals of interdisciplinary learning.

Eligibility is open to all full-time and part-time faculty who have been engaged in an interdisciplinary project, course pairing or cross-disciplinary team.

Nominees must submit:

• A personal statement of their teaching philosophy and how the interdisciplinary teaching/ learning activities support this. 
• Syllabus and assignments created by the nominees for the courses or projects for which they are nominated.
• Student Response Survey (SRS) summary sheets (numerical responses) and student comments as pertinent for the course in which the interdisciplinary activities were assigned.
  
  • The committee may ask for all forms for an individual course during the deliberation process.
• A curriculum vitae from each nominee.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is a special award to recognize a longtime member of the Wilkes community who has made an impact amongst colleagues and students throughout their whole career at Wilkes University.

Eligible persons include faculty or staff members who have been full time employees of the university for at least 15 years.

Nominees must submit:

• A personal statement summarizing career at Wilkes University that highlights major contributions and how the nominee’s contributions align with the University’s mission, vision and values.
• A curriculum vitae.

The multiculturalism award is given annually to recognize an outstanding member of the Wilkes community who demonstrates leadership in the advancement of diversity and multiculturalism ideals in the classroom, the community and study abroad efforts. All Wilkes University employees are eligible for the award.

Nominees must submit:

• A personal statement of how their teaching philosophy promotes/incorporates multiculturalism.
• Evidence of integrating issues of multiculturalism into the curriculum. For example, syllabi and assignments created for courses which he or she is primarily responsible for teaching or coordinating.
• Student Response Survey (SRS) Summary sheets (numerical responses) and student comments from the last two years for the courses associated with the award.
  • However, the committee may ask for all forms for an individual course during the deliberation process.
• A curriculum vitae.

The outstanding advisor award is given annually to recognize a faculty member who inspires and provides mentorship to students.

Nominees must submit:

• A personal statement of their advising philosophy.
• Description of advising load that includes supporting examples showcasing how the nominee has gone beyond the traditional role to be considered an outstanding advisor.
• A curriculum vitae.

The outstanding new faculty award is given annually and recognizes the outstanding contributions of a junior member of the Wilkes University faculty.

Eligibility is limited to all full-time and part-time faculty members who are non-visiting faculty in his or her 2nd or 3rd year of full-time or part-time teaching at Wilkes University and demonstrates outstanding initiatives in and/or outside of the classroom.

Nominees must submit:

• A personal statement of their teaching philosophy.
• A personal statement of their advising philosophy.
• A personal statement of their service philosophy.
• A curriculum vitae.
• Syllabi and assignments created by the nominee for courses which he or she is primarily responsible for teaching or coordinating.
• Self-evaluation reports.
• Chair evaluations (a dean's evaluation may be submitted in place of a chair's evaluation).
• Student Response Survey (SRS) Summary Sheets (numerical responses) for two years and student comments as pertinent.
  • The committee may ask for all forms for an individual course during the deliberation process.
• Advising activities.
• Examples of service to the university/department, your profession and to the community.

Awarded to a member of the faculty who demonstrates commendable success in the area of research and scholarly activity within the past five years that influences Wilkes University and its students.

All full and part-time members of the faculty and staff who conduct their own research are eligible for nomination.

Nominees must submit:

• A personal statement of their research and scholarship philosophy.
• A statement explaining student involvement and the broader impact of your research.
• Copies of published works for the last 5 years.
• A description of current research or scholarly work.
• Grant proposals (accepted or rejected) for the last 5 years.
• Reviewers’ comments for all submitted grant proposals.
• A curriculum vitae.