Excellence Awards
Call for Nominations 2026-2027
The Professional Recognition and Awards Committee (PRAC) invites nominations for the 2026–2027 Excellence Awards.
In alignment with PRAC procedures, nominations are reviewed through a structured and equitable process, with final recommendations forwarded to the College President.
Who may nominate:
- Any SUNY Orange employee or student
- Self-nominations are not permitted
Submission requirements:
- A 1–2 page nomination letter
- Clear explanation of how the nominee meets the award criteria
- Specific examples demonstrating excellence and impact
Submission process:
- Submit via the PRAC nomination form: NOMINATION FORM
- Eligible nominees will be contacted and invited to submit a full application\
Timeline
- Nomination Deadline: May 23, 2026
- Application Materials Due: September 11, 2026
- Committee Review: Fall 2026 semester
- Presidential Notification: Spring 2027
On behalf of the President's Office, the Professional Recognition & Awards Committee is seeking nominations for the 2026-2027 Excellence Awards for:
- F/T Teaching Excellence
- Adjunct Teaching Excellence
- Faculty Service
- Professional Service Excellence
- Scholarship and Creative Activities
- Librarianship
- Classified Service
Excellence in Teaching
Eligibility
- Full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty
- Minimum of 4 years of service
Excels In
- Teaching effectiveness
- Commitment to students
- High academic standards
- Ongoing professional growth
Selection Criteria Summary
Recognizes consistently superior teaching that demonstrates mastery of subject matter,
effective instructional design, innovation in pedagogy, and a sustained commitment
to student learning, engagement, and success both inside and outside the classroom.
Rubric: Teaching (Full-time) Award Application Instructions & Rubric 2026-27.docx
Excellence in Adjunct Teaching
Eligibility
- Adjunct faculty
- Minimum of ~36 credit hours taught over the past five years
Excels In
- Teaching effectiveness
- Commitment to students
Selection Criteria Summary
Honors adjunct faculty who demonstrate exceptional instructional effectiveness, strong
engagement with students, and meaningful contributions to the academic mission despite
part-time status.
Rubric
Excellence in Faculty Service
Eligibility
- Full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty
- Minimum of 3 years of service
Excels In
- Service to campus, SUNY system, and/or community
Selection Criteria Summary
Recognizes faculty who make significant contributions beyond teaching through leadership,
committee work, governance participation, and service that advances the institution,
profession, or broader community.
Rubric
Excellence in Professional Service
Eligibility
- Full-time professional staff
Excels In
- Professional achievement
- Contributions beyond assigned responsibilities
Selection Criteria Summary
Honors professional staff who demonstrate outstanding performance, leadership, innovation,
and sustained contributions that enhance institutional effectiveness, student success,
and campus operations.
Rubric
Excellence in Scholarship & Creative Activities
Eligibility
- Full-time faculty or librarians
- Minimum of 3 years of service
Excels In
- Scholarly or creative achievement
Selection Criteria Summary
Recognizes individuals who achieve distinction through research, publication, creative
works, or scholarly contributions that advance knowledge in their field and enhance
the intellectual environment of the college.
Rubric
Excellence in Librarianship
Eligibility
- Full-time librarian
- MLS/MLIS or equivalent
Excels In
- Professional achievement in librarianship
Selection Criteria Summary
Honors librarians who demonstrate excellence in information literacy, resource development,
student and faculty support, and innovative practices that strengthen academic success
and institutional mission.
Rubric
Excellence in Classified Service
Eligibility
- Classified staff
- Minimum of 3 years of continuous service
Excels In
- Job performance
- Service excellence
- Responsiveness to campus needs
Selection Criteria Summary
Recognizes classified staff who consistently exceed expectations in their roles,
demonstrate reliability and professionalism, and contribute meaningfully to the effectiveness
and daily functioning of the college.
Rubric
Nominations ~ DUE by 05.23.26
- Any member of the college community may nominate (SUNY Orange employee or student)
- You may not self-nominate
- Please submit a letter of nomination (not to exceed 500 words) via the PRAC Awards Nomination by the due date indicated for the award.
- In your letter please describe how long and in what capacity you know the nominee, and provide three reasons why you think the nominee deserves the award.
- Please check that the nominee is eligible for the award (see above)
- Email Patricia Russell, Chair Professional Recognition & Awards Committee for more information
Timeline
- Nominations due: indicated by category ~ NOMINATION FORM
- Applications details and due dates will be provide to the nominee
- Committee review of applications: Fall semester of AY25-26
- Award Notification by the President: Spring, 2026
Employee Category: Eligible Awards
Faculty: Teaching, Adjunct Teaching, Faculty Service, Scholarship or Creative ActivitiesFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who can submit a nomination?
Any SUNY Orange employee or student may submit a nomination. Self-nominations are also accepted.
What happens after someone is nominated?
PRAC reviews nominations for eligibility. Eligible nominees are contacted and must confirm whether they wish to proceed. If they accept, they will submit a full application.
What is the difference between a nomination and an application?
- Nomination: Initial 1–2 page letter
- Application: Evidence submitted by the nominee
Can someone be nominated for more than one award?
Nominees should typically be submitted in the category that best reflects their primary area of excellence.
What makes a strong nomination?
Strong nominations:
- Provide specific, concrete examples
- Clearly align with award criteria
- Demonstrate impact beyond normal job responsibilities
Are part-time employees eligible?
Adjunct faculty are eligible for the Adjunct Teaching award. Other categories generally require full-time status.
Who selects the award recipients?
PRAC reviews applications and forwards recommendations to the College President.
How do these awards relate to SUNY Chancellor’s Awards?
SUNY Orange nominees may be forwarded for Chancellor’s Awards, which provide system-wide recognition for excellence.