Presidential Excellence Awards

Teaching,
Full-time Faculty

• Quality of Teaching – e.g., use of practices such as those suggested by the Montclair Teaching Principles, adoption of innovative teaching practices, implementation of experiential or community-based learning etc.
• Impact on Student Learning – e.g., connection of teaching practices to measurable improvement in student performance and/or engagement etc.
• Impact on Student Success – e.g., enhanced level of preparedness for subsequent coursework, progression to advanced coursework or graduate programs, student participation in conferences and competitions, internship & job placement, student leadership, alumni success stories etc.

Additional Information: 

When a nomination is submitted, the nominee will be asked to submit a 1-page (500-750 word) description highlighting accomplishments and describing evidence in support of the three criteria noted above. 

When a nominee is selected as a finalist, the finalist will be asked to submit three (3) teaching artifacts in support of the three criteria noted above.

Teaching,
Early Career, Full-time Faculty

Full-time Faculty (Tenure Track and Teaching Faculty) with less than 6 years of full-time teaching at Montclair.

Teaching,
Part-time Faculty

Tenured Faculty with at least 6 years of FT employment at Montclair

• Quality of the research, scholarship, or creative activity, as measured by subject matter experts.
• Potential positive impact or reach of the research, scholarship, or creative activity, as measured by subject matter experts.

For this award the following definitions apply:

Research involves the systematic investigation and analysis aimed at discovering new knowledge or understanding phenomena, often using established scientific or empirical methods.

Scholarship encompasses the intellectual work of interpreting, synthesizing, and advancing knowledge within a discipline—often through critical analysis, publication, or teaching innovation.

Creative activity focuses on original expression or the creation of new artistic, performative, or design works that demonstrate imagination, innovation, and contribute to cultural or intellectual life.

Tenure-Track Faculty Research, Scholarship, or Creative Activity Award

Tenure-Track Faculty

Student Engagement in Research, Scholarship, or Creative Activity

Faculty (FT or PT) or Staff (FT or PT), individual or team of 2 people or more

• Quality of the research, scholarship, or creative activity
• Level of student engagement in the research, scholarship, or creative activity
• Potential positive impact or reach of the research, scholarship, or creative activity

For this award the following definitions apply:

Research involves systematic investigation and analysis aimed at discovering new knowledge or understanding phenomena, often using established scientific or empirical methods.

Scholarship encompasses the intellectual work of interpreting, synthesizing, and advancing knowledge within a discipline—often through critical analysis, publication, or teaching innovation.

Creative activity focuses on original expression or the creation of new artistic, performative, or design works that demonstrate imagination, innovation, and contribute to cultural or intellectual life.

Community Engagement, Faculty Award

• Quality of community engagement for community partners
• Quality of student engagement in the community
• Positive impact or reach of the community engagement in the community and/or on campus

Staff (FT or PT), individual or team of 2 people or more

• Quality of civic education, civic participation, and public purpose efforts
• Quality of student engagement in civic education, civic participation, and public purpose efforts
• Positive impact or reach of civic education, civic participation, and public purpose efforts

Student Success Award

• Significance of the student success problem that needed to be solved
• Innovative nature of the solution (approach, system, or idea) that was implemented
• Positive impact of the solution on student success

Faculty (FT or PT) or Staff (FT or PT), individual or team of 2 people or more

• Integration of global and intercultural perspectives into curriculum design, pedagogy, and mentoring.
• Research, scholarship, or creative activity with international or comparative dimensions that build Montclair’s global profile.
• Demonstrated impact in strengthening both Montclair’s international visibility and the on-campus student experience.

International Engagement & Service

Faculty (FT or PT) or Staff (FT or PT), individual or team of 2 people or more

• Creation of programs or services that support international students, visiting scholars, or intercultural activities on campus.
• Development of initiatives or partnerships that enhance Montclair’s global presence abroad and with international or diaspora communities.
• Commitment to equity and access in international opportunities for students and colleagues.

Operational Excellence Award

• Significance or complexity of the business process that was addressed
• Innovative nature of the solution, approach, system, or idea that was implemented
• Positive impact of the solution, approach, system, or idea that was implemented

Sustainability Initiatives Award

• Significance or complexity of the sustainability initiative
• Innovative nature of the solution, approach, system, or idea that was implemented.
• Positive impact of the solution, approach, system, or idea that was implemented

Excellence in Service Award

• Outstanding service to department, above and beyond daily responsibilities
• Positive impact on the university
• Consistent dedication to excellence in service to constituents and stakeholders

Excellence in Service, 

Early Career Award

Staff (FT or PT), individual or team of 2 people or more with less than 5 years at Montclair. For teams, the majority of members must have at less 5 years at Montclair

Inclusive Excellence Award

• Commitment to Equity and Inclusion: Evidence of intentional and consistent actions that advance equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice within their sphere of influence.
• Measurable Impact on the University Community: Actions that have produced observable, documented, or lasting improvements to the campus environment (e.g. increased engagement, representation, or sense of belonging)
• Engagement Beyond the University: Demonstrated influence or partnership that extends Montclair State University’s commitment to inclusion and equity into the broader community.
• Sustainability and Institutionalization: Evidence that the nominee’s work has enduring effects or mechanisms for continued impact.

Advocacy and Allyship Award

• Courageous Advocacy: Demonstrated moral courage and persistence in challenging inequitable systems, practices, or behaviors.
• Effective Allyship and Partnership: Demonstrated commitment to provide guidance, mentorship, or resources to individuals from underrepresented communities to support, uplift, and amplify marginalized voices.
• Tangible Impact on Equity and Belonging: Advocacy and allyship have led to measurable or observable improvements in inclusion, equity, or wellbeing within the university or community.
• Sustained Modeling of Inclusive Leadership: Advocacy and allyship are not one-time acts, but part of a sustained commitment to long-term change and leadership by example.

Innovation Award

• Significance or complexity of the problem that needed to be solved
• Innovative nature of the solution, approach, system, or idea that was implemented
• Positive impact of the solution 

Team Award

• Evidence of collaboration on an initiative that makes Montclair an excellent place to work, learn, or serve others.
• Evidence of improved learning, research or service
• Evidence of improved student/employee satisfaction, engagement, or morale
• Positive impact on the university

For work done since 2021

Multiple Award winners annually

• Contribution: Consistent meaningful and often underappreciated work that contributes to the betterment of the university
• Work ethic: Demonstrating an exceptional level of responsibility and diligence
• Generosity: Giving one’s time, skills, or resources to support others in ways that significantly contribute to collective efforts or community improvement
• Humble Leadership: Exercising leadership in a humble, understated manner that positively influences others without seeking authority, acknowledgement, or status