NIU faculty, staff and community members are invited to nominate NIU professors with outstanding records of community engagement for the 2023 Presidential Engagement and Partnership Professorship.
Nominations are due by Oct. 9, 2023. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 13, 2023.
The university’s mission incorporates the institution’s responsibility to serve the public, to contribute to the betterment of society, to promote the application of knowledge and the interaction of faculty and practicing professionals and to prepare students for effective and responsible citizenship. The Presidential Engagement and Partnerships Professorship has been established to recognize outstanding faculty members who exemplify the following criteria:
Special emphasis will be placed on the recognition of faculty whose efforts have resulted in significant public outcomes and who have involved students in projects of direct benefit to external audiences.
This award will not only recognize and honor past excellence in outreach and engagement but will provide significant tangible support for current and future efforts.
According to the Carnegie Foundation, "community engagement describes the collaboration between an institution of higher education and its larger communities (local, regional, national and global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity."
Each Presidential Engagement and Partnerships Professor will receive the following upon appointment:
These provisions are to be over and above any tangible resources or released time that these individuals may obtain through grants, contracts, or other sources during the award period.
Presidential Engagement and Partnerships Professors will be formally appointed in the spring of the year prior to the starting date of their appointments. At this time, each professor will be presented with a medallion intended for wearing with academic regalia.
To be considered, individuals must hold tenure and the rank of professor and have served at least six years at NIU. Nominees should be acknowledged for their commitment to sharing and reciprocity with community partners and their demonstrated continuous excellence in service of direct benefit to the public with collateral benefits to the university. Individuals who have received the Presidential Research Professor Award or the Presidential Teaching Professor Award may also be eligible for appointment as a Presidential Engagement and Partnerships Professor; however, nominees may only apply for one award per year. Professors nearing retirement from the university are eligible. If appointed, these individuals will receive the benefits and support associated with the award for that part of the appointment period during which they are fully employed at NIU. Sitting members of the Selection Committee are not eligible for the appointment.
Nominations may be made in writing by any individual, including the nominee, who is a current or former member of the university community (alumni, faculty, staff, students, administrators or community partners). External scholars and practitioners knowledgeable about the nominee’s qualifications may also nominate. Nominations must be submitted to Rena Cotsones, Ph.D., vice president for outreach, engagement and regional development and chief engagement officer, via rcotsones@niu.edu. All nominations will be forwarded to the selection committee.
Nomination letters are due by Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.
Interested nominees will prepare an electronic portfolio that includes the following:
Electronic application portfolios are due by Monday, November 13, 2023.
Presidential Engagement and Partnerships Professors are expected to carry out a continuous program of activities related to public-impact-focused research and scholarship, teaching, and outreach and engagement during the four-year award period. At the conclusion of the award period, each Presidential Engagement and Partnerships Professor will be asked to make a public presentation on their work; that presentation may take the form of a written piece published in the popular press, a broadcast interview, a community speech or any other form of public expression.
To ensure the smooth functioning of their respective departments, each professor will consult with the department chair, the college dean and the provost, as necessary, about scheduling the released time related to the award.
When the Presidential Engagement Professor completes the four-year award period, his or her title will become Distinguished Engagement Professor.
The selection committee is composed of members of the Outreach Advisory Committee, a dean chosen by the Council of Deans and prior recipients of the Presidential Engagement and Partnerships Professorships during their award periods. The Selection Committee will be chaired by the chief engagement officer or a designee.
For more information, call the Division of NIU Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development at 815-753-0835 or email rcotsones@niu.edu.