Excellence in Online Teaching Award | Rutgers Online Learning Conference

The Excellence in Online Teaching award is bestowed by University Online Education Services in recognition of outstanding work in the design and teaching of online courses to create meaningful, effective learning experiences for students.

Submit a Nomination

Please complete this form to submit your nomination for the UOES Excellence in Online Teaching Award.

Completed nomination forms and all supporting documentation must be submitted by December 14, 2024.

For more information, contact Teaching and Learning with Technology awardcommittee@uoes.rutgers.edu

Begin Your Application

Award Categories

Excellence in Online Course Design
This category recognizes educators who exhibit exceptional skill and innovation in crafting online and hybrid courses. Awardees in this category demonstrate a keen understanding of instructional technology, pedagogical principles, and engagement strategies. This award celebrates educators who create dynamic, thoughtfully structured courses, fostering interactive and collaborative learning experiences that make creative use of the online environment.

Excellence in DEI & Accessibility
This category honors instructors who excel in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within their online teaching practices. Awardees in this category prioritize creating an inclusive digital classroom where all students can thrive. Through their commitment to DEI and accessibility, these educators contribute to a more equitable online education landscape, fostering a sense of belonging and enriching the educational experience for all learners.

Excellence in Online Program Administration
This category celebrates those who demonstrate outstanding leadership and innovation in managing online educational programs. This award recognizes achievements in advancing online learning through strategic vision, effective program development, and a commitment to inclusivity and student success.

Eligibility

Rutgers faculty members and lecturers who have taught one or more academic credit-bearing online courses are eligible for the Excellence in Online Course Design and Excellence in DEI & Accessibility. At least one course must have been taught for at least two semesters prior to application/nomination.

Rutgers faculty and staff who are responsible for the administration of one or more fully online degree or standalone for-credit certificate program are eligible for the Excellence in Online Program Administration.

Nominations

Any faculty member, instructor, department head/chair, staff member, or student may make a nomination on behalf of an eligible individual. Self-nominations will also be accepted.

Innovative Design & Delivery: The nominee has used technology to implement a creative approach to address one or more instructional design or teaching challenges.
Quality of Course Materials and Instructional Strategies: The nominee has created well-designed course materials and utilized appropriate teaching strategies to meet instructional goals.
Inclusivity: The nominee has demonstrated efforts to adopt inclusive teaching strategies to create an equitable and accessible learning experience for all students.
Learner Satisfaction: The nominee has demonstrated rapport with learners and has a strong instructional presence in the online course.
Effective Learning Outcomes: The nominee has measurably demonstrated effectiveness in achieving desired learning outcomes in the online course(s).

Required Award Documentation

Letter of nomination: A letter from a peer, department head/director, staff member, or student.
Notes:
- Letters from students should be solicited by departmental nominators, not the nominee. The nominee may be asked to suggest names.
- Letter of Nomination is not required for self-nominations
Course Summary and Syllabus: A brief description of online course(s) taught, with an in-depth focus on one course. Include a copy of the most recent syllabus in PDF format
Teaching Statement: A brief statement including descriptions of innovative or creative online teaching approaches utilized as an instructor. (1 page max)
Course Artifacts: Examples of well-designed course materials that embody effective teaching strategies. This may be in the form of files/documents, screenshots from the course, or links to additional resources used. (4 items max)
Evidence of Effectiveness: Documentation of effectiveness in achieving desired learning outcomes in the online course(s), such as assessment data or other measures. Please include the course objectives to which each measure is linked.
Evidence of Meaningful Engagement and Learner Satisfaction: This may include student survey data, SIRS or other student feedback, and/or demonstrated rapport with learners and other course participants.

Strategic Vision and Leadership: Demonstrates a clear vision and effective strategies for advancing online education, including initiatives that support access and equity, programmatic sustainability, and student success.
Program Development and Implementation: Showcases excellence in designing, developing, and executing online programs that meet high standards of instructional quality and accessibility.
Marketing and Enrollment Management: Exhibits innovative and effective strategies for program marketing, student recruitment, and enrollment management to ensure program growth and sustainability.
Student Support Services: Provides comprehensive support services tailored to online learners, including academic advising, technical support, career services, and resources for student well-being.
Faculty and Staff Support: Provides evidence of robust support systems for faculty and staff, including professional development opportunities and resources that foster teaching excellence and collaboration.
Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement: Implements effective processes for ongoing program evaluation, quality assurance, and continuous improvement based on data and stakeholder feedback.
Student Outcomes and Satisfaction: Demonstrates measurable improvements in student outcomes, such as retention rates and graduation rates, along with high levels of student satisfaction and feedback.

Required Award Documentation

Letter of Nomination: A letter from a peer, department head/director, or relevant stakeholder detailing the nominee’s contributions and achievements in online program administration.
- Note: Letter of nomination is not required for self-nominations
Strategic Vision Statement: An overview of the strategic vision for the program, including specific strategies and initiatives aimed at advancing access and equity, ensuring program sustainability, and supporting student success.
Program Development and Implementation Summary: Detailed summary of the design, development, and execution of the online program, highlighting adherence to high standards of instructional quality and accessibility.
Marketing and Enrollment Management Plan: Documentation of marketing strategies, recruitment efforts, and enrollment management processes, including data on their effectiveness.
Student Support Services Overview: Description of the comprehensive support services provided to online students. Additional evidence and data on utilization and effectiveness may be added.
Quality Assurance and Improvement Plan: Documentation of processes for program evaluation, quality assurance, and continuous improvement, including examples of how data and feedback have been used to enhance the program.
Faculty and Staff Support Documentation: Evidence of support systems for faculty and staff, such as records of professional development opportunities, mentoring programs, and resources provided to enhance teaching and collaboration.
Evidence of Student Success and Learning Outcomes: This may include data on key metrics such as retention rates, graduation rates, academic performance, and career outcomes, linked to the program's objectives and goals. Additionally, include evidence of student satisfaction, such as survey results, course evaluations, and testimonials.

Selection Process

The selection committee will be chaired by the Associate Vice President for Online Programs in UOES, along with representatives from teaching and learning units in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden. Review and selection will take place during the beginning of the Spring 2025 semester.

Recognition

Recipients of the Excellence in Online Teaching Award will receive a plaque recognizing their achievement and be honored at the annual Rutgers Online Learning Conference in March 2025.

Award recipients will also be invited to participate in a panel discussion at the Conference to showcase their accomplishments in online teaching.

Information

For further information, contact the Office of University Online Education Services (UOES) at awardcommittee@uoes.rutgers.edu

Deadlines

Applications will open on October 1, 2024.

Completed nomination forms and all supporting documentation must be submitted by December 14, 2024.

Begin Your Application

2024 Award Winners

Excellence in Online Course Design:

Dr. Bari Hanafi - Earth and Planetary Sciences, SAS NB
Dr. Nathan C. Walker - Philosophy and Religion, CAS Camden

Excellence in DEI & Accessibility

Dr. Carla Giaudrone - World Languages and Cultures, CAS Camden

Excellence in Non-Credit Programming

Maggie Albright-Pierce - Psychology, SAS NB