About the Professorships
Application Process
The call for nominations will be published in the fall and awards will be conferred in the spring semester. The application process calls for a rigorous review of the candidates’ portfolio including:
- Letter of nomination
- Curriculum vita
- An essay (not to exceed 1,000 words) from the candidate outlining her/his qualifications and contributions to the engagement of students in her/his program of scholarship or artistry.
- A letter of support for the nomination from the chair of the department or a senior faculty member currently employed at NIU
- A letter of support for the nomination from the dean of the college
- The names, titles, and contact information of five external reviewers who can attest to the candidate’s national/international reputation and the impact of the candidate’s scholarship or artistry, teaching, and service within his/her discipline and higher education
- The names and contact information of five former students
*All candidates must have a letter of nomination and two letters of support. For candidates nominated by their dean or chair, please secure a letter of support from a senior faculty member currently employed at NIU in lieu of the letter of support that would ordinarily have been provided by that dean or chair.
The committee will request further evidence in support of the nomination that may include additional information from current students and alumni, colleagues inside and outside of the university, administrators, and others in a position to know directly or indirectly how the candidate meets the award criteria.
Criteria
Recipients must be tenured, hold the rank of professor, and have:
- Received national/international recognition for the impact of her/his scholarship or artistry within their professional community and be among those who have achieved the highest stature within her/his discipline.
- Demonstrated a record of exceptional commitment to students both inside and outside of the classroom, excellence in teaching, the use of the most effective instructional methods and technologies, the application of rigorous standards for students’ attainment of learning outcomes, and, particularly, the engagement of students in her/his program of scholarship or artistry.
- Provided significant service to the university and leadership in setting high standards for educational programs and students’ performance.
- Led the development and/or implementation of the educational, policy, and/or research/artistic agendas at the national or international level.
- Made significant contributions to advance the reputation and mission of the university and to improve the condition the community-at-large.
Responsibilities of the Recipient
- Deliver the Board of Trustees Professorship lecture
- Participate in workshops for the professional development of junior faculty
- Participate in activities that advance the university’s reputation and mission. (Could include interacting with trustees, donors, alumni and other constituencies; participating in strategic planning initiatives and special projects; mentoring students and faculty; working on interdisciplinary projects; etc.)
- Maintain an active program of teaching, scholarship or artistry, and service
- Submit a report detailing activities and accomplishments during the award period
Selection Process
The Board of Trustees Professorship Selection Committee is chaired by the executive vice president and provost. The committee’s recommendations are forwarded by the provost to the president who consults with the members of the Board of Trustees on the selection of the recipients. If the committee determines that no candidates meet the criteria for the award in any given year, no award will be made.
The Board of Trustees Professorship Selection Committee is appointed by the Executive Vice President and Provost. Individuals appointed to the committee cannot be candidates for the award or have submitted a nomination for the award in the year of appointment to the committee. The committee comprised of the following:
- Executive Vice President and Provost, Chair
- Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School
- Current or past Senior Research Advisor
- Representative of the Distinguished or Presidential Research Professors
- Representative of the Distinguished or Presidential Teaching Professors
- President of the Student Association or designee
- President of the Faculty Senate or designee
- Representative from the NIU Alumni Association
- Representative(s) of the Board of Trustees Professors