NEA Higher Educator of the Year Award 2024
NOMINATION DEADLINE
Saturday, April 6, 2024, 11:59 p.m. EDT
Purpose
The NEA Higher Educator of the Year Award recognizes the NEA postsecondary education professional who continually engages in:
• Outstanding student-centered professional practice
• Exemplary state/local labor-based advocacy
• Robust community participation
This award will be presented to an NEA higher education member who demonstrates outstanding accomplishments in all three areas.
Award
Each year, one nominee may receive the NEA Higher Educator of the Year Award. This year, the NEA Higher Educator of the Year Selection Committee will solicit and review nominations, putting forth a recommended awardee to the NEA Board of Directors when the Board meets in May.
Eligibility
This award is open to all NEA higher education members. The recipient for the NEA Higher Educator of the Year award must have approximately ten years of professional service in higher education as of January 1, 2024, and have demonstrated consistent advocacy for higher education unions at any level (local, state, national).
Selection Criteria
The NEA Higher Educator of the Year Selection Committee will review all nominations to ensure eligibility and submission requirements are met. Nominations will be considered per the three following criteria:
1. Professional Practice, including, but not limited to, demonstrated development of innovative student-centered learning tools, research methods, curricula, and appropriate discipline-based course delivery methods.
2. Labor-based Advocacy, including, but not limited to, demonstrated development of a union consciousness/social awareness regarding the critical role organized labor plays in the higher education landscape.
3. Community Engagement, including, but not limited to, a demonstrated pattern of participation in local/community organizations, events, and activities associated with strengthening the ties between higher education and other service-related organizations.
Notification
The NEA Higher Educator of the Year Selection Committee will notify the recipient of this year’s award in advance of the May 2024 NEA Board of Directors meeting.
PROCESS
Please complete all required fields in this form, including:
• Details of the nominee’s experience reflecting award criteria
• Updated curriculum vitae/resume
• Letter of support/recommendation from a colleague
Additional supporting materials may be included as well.
Please submit your nomination by Saturday, April 6, 2024, 11:59 p.m. EDT, via this form. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Mark Jewell, NEA Executive Committee and Chair, NEA Higher Educator of the Year Selection Committee (mjewell@nea.org), or staff liaison Nancy O’Brien (nobrien@nea.org).