Excellence in Faculty Academic Advising – In-Unit

Program Overview

UCF sponsors the In-Unit Excellence in Faculty Academic Advising awards to recognize the outstanding efforts of UCF’s faculty advisors in retaining undergraduate students, improving communication of information to peers and students, and helping undergraduate students realize their potential. One university-level Excellence in Faculty Academic Advising award may be given each academic year.

Funding

The recipient of the Excellence in Faculty Academic Advising Awards shall receive a one-time payment of $2,000. Award amounts are treated as income and are subject to normal withholding tax.

Eligibility

• All in-unit employees who currently advise and who have advised undergraduate students over the preceding three academic years are eligible.
• In-unit employees who have received an Excellence in Faculty Academic Advising award in the past three academic years are not eligible to apply for this award.

Criteria

The criteria for evaluating applicants’ files shall include three major categories:

1. Evidence of extra effort to improve advising;
2. Evidence that students have been sensitively and appropriately informed and guided concerning career choices and academic opportunities;
3. Evidence that the nominee serves as a role model in the pursuit of learning.

Application: Steps, Timeline, and Materials

Applications are submitted in Faculty Insight. Please contact your dean’s office for more information.

Step 1: Intent to Apply (9/14/26 – 10/16/26)

• Submit the INTENT TO APPLY FORM: Excellence Awards 2026-27 by 10/16/26.
  • If you intend to apply for multiple Excellence Awards submit the form once for each award.

Step 2: Candidate Packet Build (10/5/26 – 11/9/26)

• Build and submit the application package in Faculty Insight. Submission Deadline: 11/9/26
• Application Materials:
  • Statement of Philosophy of Student Advising (one page max., 12-pt. standard margins – previous three years)
  • Advising Activities and Responsibilities (one page max., 12-pt. standard margins – previous three years)
    • A  summary statement of advising responsibilities assigned as part of your teaching and the number of students advised over the previous three years.
  • Curriculum Vitae (previous three years)
  • Evaluations of Advising (previous three years)
    • Student, peer, and administrative evaluations of advising activities (if comments are included from teaching evaluations, all comments must be provided along with a typed summary, by year, rather than the actual evaluation sheets)
  • Evidence of Leadership in Advising (previous three years)
    • Development of new and innovative advising methods.
  • Other (optional)
    • Supporting materials from students must be limited to students no longer at UCF and must have been written in the previous three years. Letters must not be solicited from current students.

Step 3: University Committee Review (1/20/27 – 2/15/27)

Step 4: Administrative Verification (2/16/27 – 2/19/27)

Step 5: Notification (2/26/27)

Evaluation and Award Process

University Evaluation and Award Process

The Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee with representation from each college that has in-unit faculty will make recommendations for the University Excellence Faculty Academic Advising Award.

Awards are ultimately determined by the Provost or designee.