{"id":209217,"date":"2024-09-24T09:32:50","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T13:32:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/president\/?page_id=209217"},"modified":"2026-03-19T11:54:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T15:54:47","slug":"presidential-excellence-awards","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/president\/presidential-excellence-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Presidential Excellence Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The Presidential Excellence Awards honor individuals and teams who have demonstrated an
\noutstanding commitment to our mission, excellence in their work and service to our community.<\/p>\n

As we continue to navigate a time of transformation in higher education, it is essential to
\nacknowledge the leaders who are paving the way for success. Montclair State University is a
\nremarkable place \u2013 I am proud of the generosity, creativity and kindness of our community.
\nEvery day, our faculty and staff go above and beyond to help students, colleagues and the local
\ncommunity.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n
\"Presidential<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

These awards are intended to highlight achievements from all members of our Red Hawk
\ncommunity, including faculty and staff, full-time and part-time, long standing and newly arrived.<\/p>\n

Together, we will continue our mission to make Montclair an inclusive and accessible university
\nthat creates transformative educational opportunities for students across the globe.<\/p>\n

If you have any questions, please contact Mark Allman, Senior Advisor to the President, at allmanm@montclair.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jonathan GS Koppell<\/em>
\nPresident<\/em><\/p>\n

2026 Award Categories<\/div>
\n

2026 Award Categories<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Award<\/b><\/td>\nEligibility<\/b><\/td>\nCriteria<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Teaching,
\n<\/span>Full-time Faculty<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Full-time Faculty (Tenured and Teaching Faculty) with at least 6 years of full-time teaching at Montclair\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\n
\n

Teaching,
\n<\/span>Early Career, Full-time Faculty<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Full-time Faculty (Tenure Track and Teaching Faculty) with less than 6 years of full-time teaching at Montclair.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Teaching,
\n<\/span>Part-time Faculty<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Faculty with at least 2 years of part-time teaching at Montclair<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tenured Faculty Research, Scholarship, or Creative Activity Award<\/span><\/td>\n\n

Tenured Faculty with at least 6 years of FT employment at Montclair<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Quality of the research, scholarship, or creative activity, as measured by subject matter experts.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Potential positive impact or reach of the research, scholarship, or creative activity, as measured by subject matter experts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    For this award the following definitions apply:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Research involves the systematic investigation and analysis aimed at discovering new knowledge or understanding phenomena, often using established scientific or empirical methods.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Scholarship encompasses the intellectual work of interpreting, synthesizing, and advancing knowledge within a discipline\u2014often through critical analysis, publication, or teaching innovation.<\/span><\/p>\n

    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.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Tenure-Track Faculty Research, Scholarship, or Creative Activity Award<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Tenure-Track Faculty<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Student Engagement in Research, Scholarship, or Creative Activity<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Faculty (FT or PT) or Staff (FT or PT), individual or team of 2\u00a0people or more<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Quality of the research, scholarship, or creative activity<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Level of student engagement in the research, scholarship, or creative activity<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Potential positive impact or reach of the research, scholarship, or creative activity<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    For this award the following definitions apply:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Research involves systematic investigation and analysis aimed at discovering new knowledge or understanding phenomena, often using established scientific or empirical methods.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Scholarship encompasses the intellectual work of interpreting, synthesizing, and advancing knowledge within a discipline\u2014often through critical analysis, publication, or teaching innovation.<\/span><\/p>\n

    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.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Community Engagement, Faculty Award<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Faculty (FT or PT), individual or team of 2\u00a0people or more<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Quality of community engagement for community partners<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Quality of student engagement in the community<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Positive impact or reach of the community engagement in the community and\/or on campus<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Community Engagement, Staff Award<\/span><\/td>\n\n

Staff (FT or PT), individual or team of 2\u00a0people or more<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Civic Participation & Public Purpose, Faculty Award<\/span><\/td>\nStaff and Faculty (FT or PT), individual or team of 2 people or more<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Quality of civic education, civic participation, and public purpose efforts<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Quality of student engagement in civic education, civic participation, and public purpose efforts<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Positive impact or reach of civic education, civic participation, and public purpose efforts<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Student Success Award<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Faculty (FT or PT) or Staff (FT or PT), individual or team of 2\u00a0people or more<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Significance of the student success problem that needed to be solved<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Innovative nature of the solution (approach, system, or idea) that was implemented<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Positive impact of the solution on student success<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
International Pedagogy & Research<\/span><\/td>\n\n

Faculty (FT or PT) or Staff (FT or PT), individual or team of 2\u00a0people or more<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Integration of global and intercultural perspectives into curriculum design, pedagogy, and mentoring.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Research, scholarship, or creative activity with international or comparative dimensions that build Montclair\u2019s global profile.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Demonstrated impact in strengthening both Montclair\u2019s international visibility and the on-campus student experience.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

International Engagement & Service<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Faculty (FT or PT) or Staff (FT or PT), individual or team of 2\u00a0people or more<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Creation of programs or services that support international students, visiting scholars, or intercultural activities on campus.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Development of initiatives or partnerships that enhance Montclair\u2019s global presence abroad and with international or diaspora communities.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Commitment to equity and access in international opportunities for students and colleagues.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Operational Excellence Award<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Staff (FT or PT), individual or team of 2\u00a0people or more<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Significance or complexity of the business process that was addressed<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Innovative nature of the solution, approach, system, or idea that was implemented<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Positive impact of the solution, approach, system, or idea that was implemented<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Sustainability Initiatives Award<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Staff (FT or PT), individual or team of 2\u00a0people or more<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Significance or complexity of the sustainability initiative<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Innovative nature of the solution, approach, system, or idea that was implemented.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Positive impact of the solution, approach, system, or idea that was implemented<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Excellence in Service Award<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Staff (FT or PT), individual or team of 2\u00a0people or more with at least 5 years at Montclair. For teams the majority of members must have at least 5 years at Montclair.<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Outstanding service to department, above and beyond daily responsibilities<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Positive impact on the university<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Consistent dedication to excellence in service to constituents and stakeholders<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Excellence in Service,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Early Career Award<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Staff (FT or PT), individual or team of 2\u00a0people or more with less than 5 years at Montclair. For teams, the majority of members must have at less 5 years at Montclair<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Inclusive Excellence Award<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Faculty (FT or PT) or Staff (FT or PT), individual or team of 2\u00a0people or more<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Commitment to Equity and Inclusion: Evidence of intentional and consistent actions that advance equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice within their sphere of influence.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 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)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Engagement Beyond the University: Demonstrated influence or partnership that extends Montclair State University\u2019s commitment to inclusion and equity into the broader community.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Sustainability and Institutionalization: Evidence that the nominee\u2019s work has enduring effects or mechanisms for continued impact.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Advocacy and Allyship Award<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Faculty (FT or PT) or Staff (FT or PT)<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Courageous Advocacy: Demonstrated moral courage and persistence in challenging inequitable systems, practices, or behaviors.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Effective Allyship and Partnership: Demonstrated commitment to <\/span>provide guidance, mentorship, or resources to individuals from underrepresented communities<\/span> to support, uplift, and amplify marginalized voices.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 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.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 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.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Innovation Award<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Faculty (FT or PT) or Staff (FT or PT), individual or team<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Significance or complexity of the problem that needed to be solved<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Innovative nature of the solution, approach, system, or idea that was implemented<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Positive impact of the solution\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Collective Impact Award<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Any group of three or more employees (staff and\/or faculty, FT or PT)<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Evidence of collaboration on an initiative that makes Montclair an excellent place to work, learn, or serve others.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Evidence of improved learning, research or service<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Evidence of improved student\/employee satisfaction, engagement, or morale<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Positive impact on the university<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Unsung Hero Award<\/span><\/td>\nFaculty (FT or PT) or Staff (FT or PT)<\/span>\n

For work done since 2021<\/span><\/p>\n

Multiple Award winners annually<\/span><\/p><\/td>\n

\n