Honoring exceptional teaching, mentoring and research.
The 2024-25 CST Distinguished Faculty Awards Program nominations process is now open.
The 2024-25 Distinguished Teaching and Mentoring Awards recognizes notable achievements in Instruction or Mentoring by full-time faculty members of the College of Science and Technology. The 2024-25 Dean’s Distinguished Excellence in Research Award recognizes notable achievements in research by a full-time faculty member of the College of Science and Technology.
Nominations for all awards must be submitted by Monday, September 23, 2024. Complete documentation should be submitted by Monday, October 14, 2024. Only nominations supported by complete documentation will be reviewed by the Awards Committee. Documentation submission instructions will be emailed to nominees by CST Faculty Affairs. Awardees will be announced by the end of the fall semester.
Nomination Process and Award Details
Eligibility
Nominated full-time (tenured, tenure-track, non-tenure-track) faculty members must have been at Temple for at least four (4) full years as of July 1, 2024.
Prior Awardees may be considered for repeat or additional awards after a five-year period (i.e. 5 academic years, including the year of the prior award). Thus, for this year’s program, all award recipients from Fall 2019 through Fall 2023 are ineligible to be nominees.
Criteria (Teaching Award)
Excellence in instruction occurs in various contexts. It occurs in large, medium, small classes, one-on-one teaching, and curriculum development. The nominees are expected to excel in a combination of these contexts. The following items, among others, will be considered as factors:
- Evidence of mastery of the subject area.
- Development of effective and innovative methods and materials for teaching students.
- Continuous efforts to evaluate and demonstrably improve one’s own teaching.
- Academic and professional achievements of students taught.
- Effective professional relationships with students that fostering teaching excellence.
Criteria (Mentoring Award)
Demonstrated excellence in mentoring in the research laboratory, instructional laboratory, or classroom, as well as assistance with career paths (for example, graduate and professional schools, industry positions). Letters of support from current and former students will be key in assessing positive outcomes directly related to the mentoring accomplishments of the nominee.
Documentation Period
Since these awards are designed to recognize current achievements, please document examples from the most recent four years (see also above, under Eligibility)
NOMINATION PROCEDURE
Teaching Award: please enter all nominations using the link: CST Faculty Awards-Teaching
Mentoring Award: please enter all nominations using the link: CST Faculty Awards-Mentoring
A separate email will be sent to all nominees with supporting documentation submission instructions. Documentation will not be accepted by e-mail. Uploaded documents will remain confidential, viewable only by the Awards Committee.
Documentation Required (Teaching and Mentoring)
From the nominee:
1. A focused Teaching/Mentoring Portfolio which would include (but not necessarily be limited to): (1) a teaching philosophy statement; (2) pertinent material from no more than two courses, that would include syllabi, examinations, assignments and samples of student work; (3) examples of curriculum/course development activities in the department or the College, if appropriate; and (4) evidence of individualized work with master's and/or doctoral students, if appropriate; and (5) SFFs up to four years. SFFs should be organized by course, and chronologically (most recent course taught first).
2. A brief curriculum vitae of the candidate.
From a supporting faculty member or departmental representative:
- Faculty support letters (at least 3, but no more than 5). The letters may be internal or external.
- Support letters from current and/or former students (at least 3, but no more than 5. Quality counts over quantity: if many letters are solicited and received, please select and submit those (no more than 5) that best illustrate instructor’s positive impact on student learning).
- Peer classroom visits (prior peer evaluations may be used, but a new peer evaluation(s) may be included. A peer evaluation may be part of a faculty support letter).
- An evaluation statement provided by the department chair and/or appropriate departmental committee.
The 2024-25 Dean’s Distinguished Excellence in Research Award program recognizes notable achievements in research by a full-time faculty member of the College of Science and Technology.
Eligibility
The faculty member must have been at Temple for at least four (4) years (initial appointment date on or before 7/1/2020).
Procedure
Required documentation
From the nominee
1. A personal statement summarizing key research accomplishment(s) and impact on the field
2. Link to Google Scholar page.
3. Current CV that lists awards, grant award notices, and other recognition of research excellence.
4. Copies of up to 5 items e.g., relevant publications and/or other pertinent information.
From the Department Chair
- A letter of support
Please enter all nominations at: CST Research Award
A separate email will be sent to all nominees with supporting documentation submission instructions. Documentation will not be accepted by e-mail. Uploaded documents will remain confidential, viewable only by the Awards Review Committee.
Deadline for Research Award nomination: Monday, September 23, 2024
Deadline for supporting documentation: Monday, October 14, 2024.
Past Faculty Awardees
Italia-Eire Foundation Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award
Funded by Joseph C. Allegra, CST ’70, member of the CST Board of Visitors
Martha Constantinou
Associate Professor
Department of Physics
Dean’s Distinguished Teaching Awards
Funded by Barry Arkles, CST ’70,’76, member of the CST Board of Visitors and the Temple University Board of Trustees
Jun Han
Assistant Professor of Instruction
Department of Chemistry
Carol Manhart
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
Dean’s Distinguished Excellence in Mentoring Award
Katherine (Kallie) Willets
Professor
Department of Chemistry
Dean’s Distinguished Excellence in Research Award
Matthew Stover
Associate Professor
Department of Mathematics
Yugang Sun
Professor
Department of Chemistry
Italia-Eire Foundation Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award
Funded by Joseph C. Allegra, CST ’70, member of the CST Board of Visitors
Jaskiran Kaur
Assistant Professor of Instruction
Department of Chemistry
Dean’s Distinguished Teaching Award
Funded by Barry Arkles, CST ’70,’76, member of the CST Board of Visitors and the Temple University Board of Trustees
Dominic Letarte
Assistant Professor of Instruction
Department of Computer & Information Sciences
Tamer Aldwairi
Assistant Professor of Instruction
Department of Computer & Information Sciences
Dean’s Distinguished Excellence in Mentoring Award
Vasily Dolgushev
Professor
Department of Mathematics
Dean’s Distinguished Excellence in Research Award
Sergei Pond
Professor
Department of Biology
Nikos Sparveris
Associate Professor
Department of Physics
ITALIA-EIRE FOUNDATION DISTINGUISHED TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Funded by Joseph C. Allegra, CST ‘70, CST Board of Visitors
Natalie Flynn
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Department of Earth & Environmental Science
DEAN’S DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AWARDS
Funded by Barry Arkles, CST ‘70,’76, CST Board of Visitors and the Temple University Board of Trustees
Abha Belorkar
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Department of Computer & Information Sciences
Matthew Helmus
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
Rongsheng (Ross) Wang
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry
DEAN’S DISTINGUISHED EXCELLENCE IN MENTORING AWARDS
Bojeong Kim
Assistant Professor, Department of Earth & Environmental Science
Gillian Queisser
Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics
DEAN’S DISTINGUISHED EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH AWARDS
Cristian Gutierrez
Professor, Department of Mathematics
Jie Wu
Laura H. Carnell Professor of Computer Engineering, Department of Computer & Information Sciences
Italia-Eire Foundation Distinguished Teacher of the Year
Funded by Joseph C. Allegra (BA ’70, Chem), a member of the CST Board of Visitors
Elizabeth Cerkez
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Department of Chemistry
William Caldwell Memorial Distinguished Teaching Award
Funded by Seda K. Tarzian (BA ’48, Bio), a member of the CST Board of Visitors
Jocelyn Behm
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
Dean's Distinguished Teaching Award
Funded by Barry Arkles (BA ’70, PhD ’76, Chem), a member of the CST Board of Visitors
John Noel
Associate Professor of Instruction, Department of Physics
Jeromy Sivek
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Department of Mathematics
Dean's Distinguished Excellence in Mentoring Award
Jie Wu
Laura H. Carnell Professor of Computer Engineering, Department of Computer & Information Sciences
Dean's Distinguished Excellence in Research Award
Sudhir Kumar
Laura H. Carnell Professor of Biology
Italia-Eire Foundation Distinguished Teacher of the Year
Funded by Joseph C. Allegra (BA ’70, Chem), a member of the CST Board of Visitors
Amy Freestone
Associate Professor, Department of Biology
William Caldwell Memorial Distinguished Teaching Award
Funded by Seda K. Tarzian (BA ’48, Bio), a member of the CST Board of Visitors
Vincent Voelz
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry
Dean's Distinguished Teaching Award
Funded by Barry Arkles (BA ’70, PhD ’76, Chem), a member of the CST Board of Visitors
Meredith Hegg
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Department of Mathematics
Dean's Distinguished Teaching Award
Funded by Barry Arkles (BA ’70, PhD ’76, Chem), a member of the CST Board of Visitors
Athanasia Polychronopoulou
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Department of Computer & Information Sciences
Dean's Distinguished Teaching Award
Funded by Barry Arkles (BA ’70, PhD ’76, Chem), a member of the CST Board of Visitors
Robert-André Rarig
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Department of Chemistry
Dean's Distinguished Excellence in Mentoring Award
Daniele Ramella
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Department of Chemistry
Dean's Distinguished Award for Excellence in Research
John Perdew
Laura H. Carnell Professor of Physics and Chemistry, Department of Physics
Italia-Eire Foundation Distinguished Teacher of the Year
Funded by Joseph C. Allegra (BA ’70, Chem), a member of the CST Board of Visitors
Sarah Wengryniuk
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry
William Caldwell Memorial Distinguished Teaching Award
Funded by Seda K. Tarzian (BA ‘48, Bio), a member of the college’s Board of Visitors
Graham Dobereiner
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry
Dean's Distinguished Teaching Award
Matthew Newby
Assistant Professor (Instruction), Department of Physics
Dean's Distinguished Teaching Award
Andrew Rosen
Assistant Professor (Instruction), Department of Computer & Information Sciences
Dean's Distinguished Excellence in Mentoring Award
Sujith Ravi
Assistant Professor, Department of Earth & Environmental Science
Dean's Distinguished Excellence in Research Award
Laura Toran
Professor, Department of Earth & Environmental Science
Discovery and Innovation Leadership Award
Funded by Debbie and Stanley Lefkowitz (BA ’65, Chem), a member of the CST Board of Visitors
Erik Cordes
Associate Professor, Biology
Achievement in Mathematics Award
Funded by Jay Novik (BA ’67, Math), chair of the CST Board of Visitors
Daniel Szyld
Professor, Mathematics
Outstanding Mathematics Department Leader
Funded by Jay Novik (BA ’67, Math), chair of the CST Board of Visitors
Irina Mitrea
Professor and Chair, Mathematics
Italia-Eire Foundation Distinguished Teacher of the Year
Funded by Joseph C. Allegra (BA ’70, Chem), a member of the CST Board of Visitors
Charles Osborne
Assistant Professor (Instructional), Department of Mathematics
William Caldwell Memorial Distinguished Teaching Award
Funded by Seda K. Tarzian (BA ‘48, Bio), a member of the college’s Board of Visitors
Rachel Spigler
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
Dean's Distinguished Teaching Award
Ola Ajaj
Assistant Professor (Instructional), Department of Computer & Information Sciences
Dean's Distinguished Teaching Award
Jessica Babcock
Instructor Department of Mathematics
Dean's Distinguished Excellence in Mentoring Award
Michael Zdilla
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry
Dean's Distinguished Excellence in Research Award
Shiferaw Berhanu
Professor, Department of Mathematics
Italia-Eire Foundation Distinguished Teacher of the Year
Funded by Joseph C. Allegra (BA ’70, Chem), a member of the CST Board of Visitors
Rose McGinnis
William Caldwell Memorial Distinguished Teaching Award
Funded by Seda K. Tarzian (BA ‘48, Bio), a member of the college’s Board of Visitors
Benjamin Seibold
Dean's Distinguished Teaching Award
Bernd Surrow
Dean's Distinguished Teaching Award
Ann Valentine
Dean's Distinguished Excellence in Mentoring Award
John Fiore
Dean's Distinguished Excellence in Research Award
Spiridoula Matsika
Italia-Eire Foundation Distinguished Teacher of the Year
Funded by Joseph C. Allegra (BA ’70, Chem), a member of the CST Board of Visitors
Allison Tumarkin-Deratzian
Associate Professor, Instructional, Department of Earth & Environmental Science
William Caldwell Memorial Distinguished Teaching Award
Funded by Seda K. Tarzian (BA ‘48, Bio), a member of the college’s Board of Visitors
Tonia Hsieh
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
The Dean’s Distinguished Excellence in Mentoring Award
Claudia Pine-Simon
Instructor, Department of Computer and Information Sciences
Dean's Distinguished Teaching Award
Laura Toran
Albert W. and Alice M. Weeks Chair in Environmental Geology, Department of Earth & Environmental Science
Farzana Chaudhry
Assistant Professor, Instructional, Department of Mathematics
Andrew Price
Associate Professor, Instructional, Department of Chemistry
Dean's Distinguished Excellence in Research Award
Erik Cordes
Associate Professor, Department of Biology
Italia-Eire Foundation Distinguished Teacher of the Year
Funded by Joseph C. Allegra (BA ’70, Chem), a member of the CST Board of Visitors
William Wuest
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry
William Caldwell Memorial Distinguished Teaching Award
Funded by Seda K. Tarzian (BA ‘48, Bio), a member of the college’s Board of Visitors
Erik Cordes
Associate Professor, Department of Biology
Dean's Distinguished Teaching Award
Ilya Buynevich
Assistant Professor, Department of Earth & Environmental Science
David Grandstaff
Professor, Department of Earth & Environmental Science
Eugene Kwatny
Professor, Department of Computer & Information Sciences
Christopher Pascucci
Instructor, Department of Computer & Information Sciences
Dean's Distinguished Excellence in Mentoring Award
Irina Mitrea
Professor, Department of Mathematics
Wendy Urban
Instructor, Department of Computer & Information Sciences
Dean's Distinguished Excellence in Research Award
Rongjia Tao
Professor, Department of Physics