Excellence in Professional Service – In-Unit

Program Overview

UCF sponsors the In-Unit Excellence in Professional Service award to honor faculty members who demonstrate a record of excellence in service to the University of Central Florida and professional service. One award for Excellence in Professional Service is available. Each college may nominate up to two candidates for this award.

Funding

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

Eligibility

Each candidate:

• Must be a full-time employee in the appropriate discipline with at least three years of continuous non-visiting, non-OPS service at UCF immediately prior to the current year.
• Employees who are assigned an FTE of at least 0.05 for professional service duties over the current academic year and for each of the three preceding academic years are eligible.
• Must not have received an Excellence in Professional Service award in the past three academic years.

Criteria

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

1. Evidence of effectiveness in service to the university by highlighting leadership contributions;
2. Evidence of significant accomplishment in professional organizations in the nominee’s discipline;
3. Evidence of recognition for outreach activities, service, and leadership contributions to community organizations.

Application Materials

Each nominee must submit a single PDF (no portfolios please) with the following sections to your college Dean’s Office. Nominees must include evidence of accomplishment, recognition, and level of service provided.

• Curriculum vitae
• Service to university
• Professional service
• Service to civic organizations
• Public service
• Miscellaneous supporting documents

Note: Work defined service expected of a nominee’s position should be clearly separated.

The awards committees will take the following criteria and supporting data into account when making their determinations. The criteria and supporting materials that should be provided to form a basis for evaluation are listed in priority order:

• Primary Criteria (50 percent weight): Evidence of effectiveness in service to the university, highlighting leadership contributions (For example, evidence showing that the nominee worked diligently and effectively on university, Faculty Senate, college, or department committees).
• Secondary Criteria (30 percent weight): Evidence of significant accomplishment in professional organizations (regional, national, or international) in the nominee’s discipline.
• Tertiary Criteria (20 percent weight): Evidence of recognition for outreach activity, outstanding service and leadership contributions to community organizations (for example, Pre-K – 12 schools and civic and non-profit organizations).

Evaluation and Award Process

The dean of each college will charge a faculty committee to evaluate the documentation and nominate two candidates for the Excellence in Professional Service Award. Note: faculty members who are under consideration may not serve on the selection committee in any capacity. If, in the judgment of the committee, no nomination is merited, none need be made.

All applicants will be notified of their selection status and a list of the candidates and their files will immediately be forwarded to the Chair of the Faculty Senate. A committee designated by the Faculty Senate will select one individual from among these college candidates to receive the Excellence in Professional Service Award.