Northern Illinois University
Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language and Literacy

COFA Call for Nominations

We are committed to acknowledging outstanding CISLL faculty contributions to advancing the study of language and literacy. The CISLL Outstanding Faculty Award (COFA) is awarded to a faculty affiliate who has exemplified our mission to understand the processes involved in language and literacy skills to enhance quality of life at home, at work, and in the community.

This one-year award provides faculty with a $500 stipend to support their work. During the 12 months following receipt of the award, the faculty affiliate is expected to continue to contribute to the field of language and literacy at NIU, engage in CISLL events, and deliver a brief presentation on their work at our annual retreat.

Nominations and Application

Nominations and application materials for the award must be submitted by a CISLL faculty affiliate, and the nominee must have been a faculty affiliate of CISLL for the past academic year. Self-nominations are welcome.

Required Materials

Application materials must include the following:

• Letter of support from a colleague internal or external to NIU that provides perspective on how the applicant's contributions have enhanced their field. This letter may address:
  • The applicant's engagement in professional work that has nourished the field in one or more of the following ways:
    • Systematic and imaginative development of professional practice
    • Contributions to the body of research and/or educational resources in language and literacy
    • Professional work that advances educational equity, social justice, and community engagement within the field
• The applicant's impact on scholarship relevant to CISLL's mission
• A 500-word statement written by the nominee providing:
  • An overview of the alignment of their contributions with CISLL's mission
  • A brief description of ongoing and future work
  • A description of their involvement with CISLL
• Nominee's curriculum vitae

Application Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated by members of the CISLL Steering Committee in terms of the professional impact and innovation that the faculty affiliate has contributed to the field, their contribution to the mission of CISLL (i.e., alignment of work with CISLL's mission and strength of colleague endorsement), and active engagement in CISLL events prior to the submission of an application (i.e., evidence of involvement in CISLL).

Submission and Deadlines

• Applicants must submit nomination and all supporting materials by sending to cisll@niu.edu by April 2, 2024.
• Recipients will be notified of their selection by April 19, 2024.
• Recipients are expected to attend CISLL's annual retreat at the Holmes Students Center on May 3, 2024.