Purpose and Goals
The Meredith Professor Teaching Award program was established in 2001 through an expansion of the Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professorship Program. The Meredith Professors proposed the Teaching Award program to recognize excellence in teaching among untenured faculty. These awards aim:
- To recognize and encourage teaching excellence among tenure-track faculty in their first five years,
- To recognize and encourage teaching excellence throughout the teaching career among teaching professors, professors of practice, and part-time faculty, and
- To encourage a campus-wide commitment to teaching excellence and to ongoing efforts to improve teaching impact and effectiveness.
Award Categories
Each year, the Meredith Professor Teaching Award is given in two categories:
| Category | Recipient | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Meredith Professor Teaching Award for Early Performance | Faculty members (at least 4 awards and no more than 7) This award may be presented to faculty who have completed two years of teaching at Syracuse University (at the time of nomination). Eligible nominees include: – Tenure-track faculty who are not yet in their tenure review year – Full-time teaching professors of any rank, professors of practice, and part-time faculty who are in their first five years of employment with the University No fewer than two tenure-track faculty and no fewer than two teaching professors, professors of practice, or part-time instructors will be recognized in any given year. | $3,000 for professional development |
| Meredith Professor Teaching Award for Continuing Excellence | Faculty members (up to 2) This award may be presented to non-tenure-track faculty who have completed five or more years of teaching at Syracuse University (at the time of nomination). Eligible nominees include full-time teaching professors of any rank, professors of practice, and part-time faculty who have completed five years of teaching with the University. | $10,000 for professional development |
Award funds may be used for expenses that awardees incur in furthering their professional development, such as the purchase of equipment, materials, or travel.
Nomination Process
Meredith Professor Teaching Award nominations may be made by any faculty member, with the concurrence of the nominee’s department chair or school director (where applicable) and dean. Individuals may not self-nominate.
The complete nomination includes the following items combined (in order) into a single PDF:
- Coversheet: A fillable form found on the Office of Academic Affairs website
- Formal nomination letter (no more than three pages) that:
-
- Makes the case for the nominee’s outstanding teaching performance
- Describes the nominee’s regular teaching responsibilities, as well as any mentorship activities within the department, school, or college
NOTE: The nomination letter should provide concrete examples or illustrations of teaching excellence, rather than general statements of praise.
-
- A teaching statement (no more than three pages) which addresses:
- The nominee’s teaching philosophy, with examples of specific teaching initiatives and innovations or pedagogical learning/training
- Specific techniques for assessing student learning and promoting student success
- For Early Performance nominees: How they use assessment of student learning to strengthen their own teaching and what goals they have set for themselves as teachers
- For Continuing Excellence nominees: How their teaching has changed over time to facilitate student learning and student success and how they have overcome a teaching challenge
- An updated curriculum vitae
- Up to three examples (one page each) of teaching innovations used by the nominee in courses taught at Syracuse University
- Letter of support from a peer who has observed the nominee’s teaching and can speak to the use of innovative teaching techniques and sound pedagogical practices
- Letters of support from two former students detailing specific examples of teaching excellence from the nominee. The letters should appropriately reflect the balance of the nominee’s teaching in undergraduate and graduate curricula.
- A professional bio (not to exceed 500 words) suitable for publication
The nomination packet should not exceed 18 pages, excluding the curriculum vitae
It is preferred that an individual be nominated by one person or by multiple people signing one nomination letter. Nominators are encouraged to collaborate with colleagues on the submission.
Nominations are due Friday, January 23, 2026. Please email the nomination as one PDF to Amanda Latreille at arlatrei@syr.edu (subject: Teaching Award nomination).
Selection process and recognition
The Meredith Professor Teaching Award Review committee, composed of Meredith Professors, past Teaching Award recipients, and students, is responsible for recommending candidates for the award. The committee reviews nominations and submits a recommendation report in February. The Chancellor makes the final selection, and the award is presented at the One University Awards Ceremony in April.
Past recipients
Past Meredith Professor Teaching Award recipients
Questions?
Contact Amanda Latreille at arlatrei@syr.edu or 315-443-5413.