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College Awards

NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS

The College of Social Science is now accepting nominations for an array of awards for faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students.  

Note that the awards have different submission deadlines and the details of how to nominate are in the descriptions of the awards.

If you have any questions please contact Associate Dean Carl Davidson at davidso4@msu.edu.

 

Research Awards

  • Faculty Research Award [Cross-disciplinary]

    Award Amount - $1,000

    Eligibility

    College tenure-stream faculty member who has done significant cross-disciplinary research with researchers from a distinctly different discipline. Research should have been conducted primarily at MSU within the past 10 years.

    Materials needed

    Nomination from the Chair/Director describing the individual’s research contribution (up to 300 words), nominee’s curriculum vitae, 2 external supporting letters, research statement from the applicant that articulates how the nominated work fits into the broader category of cross-disciplinary research, copies of the nominated work, documentation of citations, external funding, or other impact related to the research. Please submit the nomination to the College as a single PDF document.

    Selection criteria 

    The research should address a topic of importance beyond the main academic field, i.e., it has an impact on the broader scholarly community. The research has resulted in notable products such as high quality peer-reviewed publication(s), grant funding, and/or media appearances. The faculty member should demonstrate innovative or transformative achievement beyond the norm.

    Nominations  

    Due by 5:00 p.m. on January 30, 2026 and can be e-mailed to ssc.researchdean@msu.edu.

    Responsible Committee

    SSC Research Committee

  • Faculty Research Award

    Award Amount - $1,000

    Eligibility

    College tenure-stream faculty member. Research should have been conducted primarily at MSU within the past 10 years.

    Materials needed

    Nomination from the Chair/Director describing the individual’s research contribution (up to 300 words), nominee’s curriculum vitae, 2 external supporting letters, research statement from the applicant that articulates the importance of the work, copies of the nominated work, documentation of citations, external funding, or other impact related to the research. Please submit the nomination to the College as a single PDF document.

    Selection criteria 

    The research has resulted in notable products such as high quality peer-reviewed publication(s), grant funding, and/or media appearances. The faculty member should demonstrate innovative or transformative achievement beyond the norm.

    Nominations  

    Due by 5:00 p.m. on January 30, 2026 and can be e-mailed to ssc.researchdean@msu.edu.

    Responsible Committee

    SSC Research Committee

 

Graduate Awards

  • Dean’s Institutional Access Award: Graduate Students

    Award Amount - $1,000

    Purpose

    To recognize graduate students for displaying an exceptional commitment to fostering an environment in which Institutional Access is understood, valued, respected, appreciated and practiced.

    Eligibility

    All graduate student members in the College, with candidates identified by nominations by faculty, staff, or students on behalf of someone they see as deserving.

    Selection Criteria

    Awardees would have played a significant role in Institutional Access. For example, successful nominees could actively serve underrepresented populations, develop or implement innovative programs that enhance participation and opportunity, or enhance the ability and effectiveness of the College to be an inclusive and welcoming environment.

    Nominations

    Nomination packets should be submitted via email to: SSC.OIASubmissions@msu.edu, and must be received by January 30, 2026.

    • Nominations can come from faculty, staff, or students.
    • Nomination packets should include the following:
      • CV of nominee.
      • 1 nominating letter (maximum 500 words).
        • Articulate how individual fits criteria for award
        • Provide evidence for excellence in Institutional Access work
        • How has the nominee shown a commitment to enhance or support Institutional Access?
        • Using examples, please state why you consider the nominee to be a worthy recipient of the Dean’s Institutional Access Award.
      • Self-statement from nominee.
        • Discuss personal goals and accomplishments, philosophy, and outcomes associated with Institutional Access activities
      • Proof that nominee has completed at least one educational opportunity offered by the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion [MSU Dialogues, or Diversity and Equity e-Learning]
      • 2 supporting letters from individuals other than nominators. No more than one supporting letter can come from a student.

    Selection Process

    The Associate Dean of Access, Faculty Development and Strategic Implementation will convene an Institutional Access Award committee of 3, who will evaluate nominations and make a recommendation to the Dean.

 

Faculty Awards

  • Faculty Teaching Innovation Award: Fixed-Term

    Award Amount - $1,000

    Eligibility

    MSU Faculty of Record with appointments (full or partial) in the College. The courses for which a Faculty of Record is nominated must be undergraduate courses taught in the College. Nominations should be made by College Chairs and Directors of Departments, Schools or Programs which include undergraduate components. Each unit may make one nomination annually.

    Materials needed 

    Two or three letters of nomination/supporting letters. At least one must be from a Chair/Director (up to 300 words). At least one must be from an undergraduate. In addition, please submit syllabus/i for the course or courses for which the faculty member is being nominated, and a self-statement from the nominee explaining what is innovative and how the approach helps students achieve desired learning outcomes. 

    Selection criteria

    Evidence that an approach to undergraduate teaching is innovative in a unit and has resulted in desired student learning outcomes.

    Nominations

    Due by January 30, 2026. Nomination packets should be submitted via email to Meghan Fang at fangmegh@msu.edu.

    Responsible Committee

    SSC Committee of Associate Chairs/Associate Directors

  • Integrative Studies in Social Science (ISS) Teaching Excellence Award

    Award Amount - $1,000

    Eligibility

    ISS Instructor with SIRS scores in the top 15% of all College ISS instructors.

    Materials needed

    The ISS Director provides the committee with SIRS scores/comments and average section GPA for eligible instructors. The committee selects 3-5 finalists who are invited to provide two or three letters of support (at least one of which is from a student), a statement on teaching philosophy, and a syllabus.

    Selection criteria

    Teaching excellence, dedication to student success, commitment to MSU undergraduate learning goals, and emphasis on international, multicultural, or national diversity.

    Nominations

    Finalists’ materials due by January 30, 2026 in response to the ISS Director’s nomination.

    Responsible Committee

    SSC Committee of Associate Chairs/Associate Directors

  • Faculty Lifetime Award for Teaching, Research, Service

    Award Amount - $3,000

    Eligibility

    MSU faculty in the College who has served for at least 20 years, but may currently hold emeritus status. NOTE: may not be awarded every year.

    Materials needed

    Nomination letter (up to 300 words), up to 3 supporting letters from individuals other than the nominator (external letters encouraged), CV of the nominee.

    Selection criteria

    Awardees will have excelled in all three areas of research, teaching and service.

    Nominations

    Due by January 30, 2026 and should be submitted to Julie Torok at jtorok@msu.edu.

    Responsible Committee

    SSC Faculty Advisory Committee

 

Staff Awards

  • Dean’s Institutional Access Award: Staff

    Award Amount - $1,000

    Purpose

    To recognize staff for displaying an exceptional commitment to fostering an
    environment in which Institutional Access is understood, valued, respected, appreciated, and practiced.

    Eligibility

    All staff members in the College, with candidates identified by self-nominations or by faculty, staff, and students on behalf of someone they see as deserving.

    Selection Criteria

    Awardees would have played a leadership role in advancing  Institutional Access. For example, successful nominees could actively serve underrepresented populations, develop or implement innovative programs that enhance participation and opportunity, or enhance the ability and effectiveness of the College to be an inclusive and welcoming environment.

    Nominations

    Nomination packets should be submitted via email to: SSC.OIASubmissions@msu.edu, and must be received by January 30, 2026.

    • Nominations can come from MSU faculty, staff, or students
    • Nomination packets should include the following:     
      • CV of nominee
      • 1 nominating letter (maximum 500 words).
        • Articulate how individual fits criteria for award
        • Provide evidence for excellence in Institutional Access work
        • How has the nominee shown a commitment to enhance or support Institutional Access?
        • Using examples, please state why you consider the nominee to be a worthy recipient of the Dean’s Institutional Access Award.
      • Proof that nominee has completed at least one educational opportunity offered by the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion [MSU Dialogues, or Diversity and Equity e-Learning]
      • 2 supporting letters from individuals other than nominators. No more than one supporting letter can come from a student.

    Selection Process

    The Associate Dean for Access, Faculty Development and Strategic Implementation will convene an Institutional Access Award committee of 3, who will evaluate nominations and make a recommendation to the Dean.

  • Matt Hansen Support Staff Award

    Award Amount - $1,000

    About

    Matt Hansen was the inaugural recipient of the College of Social Science Support Staff Award, receiving it in March 2020. Matt served as an Administrative Assistant in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, and fully exemplified the desired qualities of award recipients--including commitment to excellence and service to community. Matt made a strong and unique impact on all who came in contact with him, and through his true professionalism, fostered a positive culture and climate throughout our College.

    Matt’s life was cut short, leaving his family and the College of Social Science community with a void that cannot be filled. In recognition and celebration of Matt’s young life, the college support staff award is named in his honor.

    Eligibility

    Regular staff members in job classifications under CT, AP, or ASPA. Student, temporary, and on-call employees are not eligible to be nominated. Minimum of one year of continuous service in the College of Social Science is required. Primary assignment must be in the College of Social Science.

    Materials needed

    Nomination form, a letter of nomination and two additional letters of support. 

    Selection criteria

    The award criteria are focused around three pillars: Impact, Culture/Climate, and Professionalism. Support letters should encompass the award criteria and be limited to two pages each.

    Nominations

    Due by February 2, 2026 to SSC.DACSS@msu.edu

    Responsible Committee

    SSC Dean’s Advisory Committee for Support Staff

Faculty & Staff