Award Nomination Requirements

The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Outstanding Staff Award recognizes outstanding performance of staff duties, based on support to students, unit administrators, colleagues, peers, alumni or others.

Nominee must hold a board appointed classified staff, exempt/administrative position within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences for a minimum of one full year. Postdoctoral students do qualify for this award. Please note any staff can be nominated from another unit. Awards will be given in each of the categories listed below. 

• Administrative support
• Professional support
• Technical support
• Service/maintenance

NOTE: Nominee may not have received a College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Outstanding Staff Award within the last three years.

Selection Criteria

Selection will be based on the following:

1. Excellence in productivity 
2. Quality of work 
3. Initiative 
4. Dependability 
5. Judgment
6. Interpersonal relations

• Using the award criteria to select nominees, nominators should prepare a dossier of evidence that establishes the nominee as an outstanding staff member. 
• Enter a paragraph (maximum of 150 words) for each of the six award criteria supporting the nomination and describing how the nominee meets the criteria.
• The nomination packets are intended to be generic — therefore DO NOT include clipart or graphics in the materials. However, a picture of the individual and five bullet points about the nominee for the ceremony will be submitted with the packet for the awards ceremony. The picture and bullet points will not be included in the ranking materials provided to the selection committee.

The Outstanding Student Awards recognize students who show potential for contributing to the fields of agriculture, life sciences or family and consumer sciences upon graduation.

Eligibility

Only undergraduate students with a declared major within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences are eligible. The nominee must be working actively on a degree from one of the academic departments in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

Awards will be given in five student categories: Outstanding Freshman, Outstanding Sophomore, Outstanding Junior, Outstanding Senior and Outstanding Transfer Student.

The nominee’s class standing will be determined as follows and be based on the total number of earned credits at the close of the fall semester (spring credits do not count):

• Freshman preference given to full-time student enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours, student should have earned a maximum of 25 institutional credit hours, not including earned advanced placement and dual enrollment credits.
• Sophomore preference given to full-time student enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours, students should have earned a maximum of 57 credits institutional credit hours including UI dual credit.
• Junior preference given to full-time student enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours, student should have earned between a minimum of 58 and a maximum of 89 student credits hours.
• Senior preference given to full-time student enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours, student should have earned a minimum of 90 student credit hours. Nominees for Outstanding Senior must be in their last year at the University of Idaho and be eligible to apply for graduation to include the three semesters for the current academic year (spring, summer and fall). Students with over 89 credits but not otherwise eligible for graduation may apply for the Outstanding Junior award with appropriate documentation from the department.
• Outstanding Transfer Student, open to any CALS student who completed at least one year (two semesters or equivalent) of instruction at another institution or has earned an associate’s degree at a community college (C.C.). Preference given to full-time student enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours.

Selection Criteria

The nominee must show potential for contributing to the fields of agriculture, life sciences or family and consumer sciences upon graduation.

Other criteria the selection committee may consider when ranking the nominees include (in no particular order):

• Activities within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences such as, but not limited to: College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Student Affairs Council (CALSAC), CALS ambassadors, CALS peer mentors, departmental clubs/organizations, honorary societies or involvement in departmental or CALS administration efforts by providing clerical assistance, laboratory support or fieldwork.

1. Academic achievement
2. Participation in University of Idaho campus activities and organizations
3. Professional experiences including internships
4. Participation in undergraduate research and/or serving as a teaching aid or tutor
5. Participation in community service

Materials and Nomination Process

• The nominee’s essay (maximum of 1,000 words). The essay should focus on the nominee’s academic and career goals, past achievements and how the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has impacted his or her life and career goals. The nominee’s essay will be uploaded into the nominee’s packet. The essay should act as a supplement to the nominee's resume.
• A complete résumé (one page) with particular emphasis on the award criteria. References are not required.
• Signed FERPA Release form.
• Maximum of two letters of support may be submitted with at least one being from faculty members (emeritus faculty can be considered as faculty). For freshman, recommendations from non-faculty class instructor is accepted if it is not possible to obtain a letter of recommendation from a faculty member. Letters should specifically address how the nominee meets the award criteria. Nominee should be allowed to suggest preferred references. Letters are uploaded in the form during the online submission process.
• The nomination packets are intended to be generic — therefore DO NOT include clip art or graphics in the materials. However, a picture of the individual and five bullet points about the nominee for the ceremony, will be submitted with the packet for the awards ceremony. The picture and bullet points will not be included in the ranking materials provided to the selection committee.

The Outstanding Club of the Year is established to recognize College of Agricultural and Life Sciences clubs who demonstrate excellence in mission and intent. Along with service to its members, the college and/or the community.

Eligibility

Club must be listed as a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) or ASUI Affiliated Student Organization (ASO) related to a CALS field.

Required Submission Material

The nomination packet is made up of the following:

• Letter of nomination (1,000 words maximum) with examples of how the club has demonstrated excellence in each aspect of award criteria. The statement should include how the club impacted CALS, the success of individual club members and the larger community.
• Copy of club's mission and bylaws
• Five pictures of club activities with descriptions
• One article that was submitted to the student newsletter or a similar content on the club social media page or a post activity write up.

The Outstanding Student Leader of the Year is established to recognize College of Agricultural and Life Sciences students who demonstrate excellence as a leader. The nominated student leader must be a member of a CALS club and majoring in one of the CALS departments.

Required Submission Material

The nomination packet is made up of the following:

• Letter of intent: 1,000 words maximum
• Student leader's resume including club and college leadership
• Letter of recommendation from fellow students or faculty verifying involvement and leadership

The nominee must be a College of Agricultural and Life Sciences graduate student in one of the eight academic units: agricultural education, leadership and communications; agricultural economics and rural sociology; animal, veterinary and food sciences; entomology, plant pathology and nematology; family and consumer sciences; plant sciences; soil and water systems.

Selection Criteria

• Students are eligible who are enrolled in an advanced degree program (or received an advanced degree in the calendar year preceding the award) in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and are sufficiently advanced in their program to have tangible evidence of an outstanding contribution.
• A maximum of one nomination can be submitted from each degree program per year.
• Selection shall be based on contribution to Idaho, contribution to discipline, originality and quality of creative activity.
• The award will be given at the discretion of the awards committee. It will be presented at the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Awards Banquet, but need not be given annually. 
• This award includes a plaque and cash prize.

Materials Required

• Nominee’s essay (maximum 1,000 words). The essay should focus on the nominee’s academic and career goals, achievements and demonstrate tangible evidence of creative activity.
• Nominee’s resume (1 page) with particular emphasis on the award criteria. References not required. PDF format. 
• Three letters of support from the nominee’s major professor, unit administrator and one other professional member in the discipline. PDF format.
• The nomination packets are intended to be generic — therefore DO NOT include clipart or graphics in the materials. However, a picture of the individual and five bullet points about the nominee will be submitted with the packet for the awards ceremony. The picture and bullet points will not be included in the ranking materials provided to the selection committee.

The nominee must be a College of Agricultural and Life Sciences graduate student in one of the eight academic units: agricultural education, leadership and communications; agricultural economics and rural sociology; animal, veterinary and food sciences; entomology, plant pathology and nematology; family and consumer sciences; plant sciences; soil and water systems.

Selection Criteria

• Students are eligible who are enrolled in an advanced degree program (or received an advanced degree in the calendar year preceding the award) in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and are sufficiently advanced in their program to have tangible evidence of an outstanding contribution.
• A maximum of one nomination can be submitted from each degree program per year.
• Selection shall be based on contribution to Idaho, contribution to discipline, originality and quality of creative activity.
• The award will be given at the discretion of the awards committee. It will be presented at the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Awards Banquet, but need not be given annually. 
• This award includes a plaque and cash prize.

Materials Required

• Nominee’s essay (maximum 1,000 words). The essay should focus on the nominee’s academic and career goals, achievements and demonstrate tangible evidence of creative activity.
• Nominee’s resume (1 page) with particular emphasis on the award criteria. References not required. PDF format. 
• Three letters of support from the nominee’s major professor, unit administrator and one other professional member in the discipline. PDF format.
• The nomination packets are intended to be generic – therefore DO NOT include clipart or graphics in the materials. However, a picture of the individual and five bullet points about the nominee will be submitted with the packet for the awards ceremony. The picture and bullet points will not be included in the ranking materials provided to the selection committee.

The nominee must be a College of Agricultural and Life Sciences faculty or staff (on or off campus) that advises 10 or more graduate or undergraduate students within the areas of: agricultural education, leadership and communications; agricultural economics and rural sociology; animal, veterinary and food sciences; entomology, plant pathology and nematology; family and consumer sciences; plant sciences; soil and water systems.

• The nominee cannot have received the award within the previous five years. 
• The nominee must have experience advising undergraduate or graduate students at the University of Idaho for a minimum of three years. 
• The nomination documentation should cover activities during the three years prior to nomination. 

NOTE: Nominees for the Outstanding Academic Advisor Award may not also be nominated for the R.M. Wade Excellence in Teaching Award.

Award Criteria 

As it relates to academic advising, nominee’s submission material, including letters of support, should include evidence of the following:

• Being part of the academic community
• Utilizing campus resources and professional development opportunities
• Mentoring and/or on-boarding current and new staff/faculty
• Keeping current with institutional policies
• How they advise students with guidance in making academic decisions based on their background, field of study, needs, career goals and foster a sense of stewardship, all with a philosophy consistent with quality advising in a land grant university

Required Submission Material

The nomination packet is made up of the following:

• Nominee’s summary vitae including awards and professional honors related to academic advisor for the last three years
• Nominee’s statement on academic advising philosophy and advising service (1,000 word maximum)
• Student evaluation of advising results (if available)
• Letters of Support:
  • One letter from a peer/colleague — 500 words maximum. The letter should focus on the nominee’s teaching ability.
  • One letter from a student/alumnus — 500 words maximum. This letter should focus on the nominee’s teaching ability and his or her influence on the student’s academic or career goals.
  • One letter from the unit administrator — 500 words maximum. The letter should focus on the nominee’s contributions to departmental, college and university teaching programs.
• The nomination packets are intended to be generic – therefore DO NOT include clipart or graphics in the materials. However, a picture of the individual and five bullet points about the nominee for the ceremony will be submitted with the packet for the awards ceremony. The picture and bullet points will not be included in the ranking materials provided to the selection committee.

The nominee must be a College of Agricultural and Life Sciences faculty member with a teaching appointment, and hold rank of instructor or higher in one of the following academic units: agricultural education, leadership and communications; agricultural economics and rural sociology; animal, veterinary and food sciences; entomology, plant pathology and nematology; family and consumer sciences; plant sciences; soil and water systems.

• The nominee cannot have received the R.M. Wade Excellence in Teaching Teacher Award within the previous five years.
• The nominee must have taught at the University of Idaho for a minimum of three years.
• The nomination packet documentation should cover activities during the three years prior to nomination.

NOTE: Nominees for the R.M. Wade Excellence in Teaching Award may not also be nominated for the Outstanding Academic Advising Award.

Selection Criteria

Selection of the R.M. Wade Excellence in Teaching Award recipient will be based upon the following:

• Teaching and student engagement responsibilities
• Teaching quality assessment
• Teaching philosophy and methodology
• Service to the teaching profession
• Self-improvement and professional growth
• Service to students

The nomination packet is made up of the following:

• Nominee’s curriculum vitae in the format submitted for annual performance evaluations. Vitae should include responsibilities, service, professional development, awards and professional honors related to teaching
• Statement on teaching that briefly addresses each of the first six selection criteria. Details regarding criteria are in the rubric below. (Maximum of 1,000 words)
• Student evaluation of teaching results for the last three years
• Letters of Support:
  
  • One letter from a peer/colleague — 500 words maximum. The letter should focus on the nominee’s teaching ability.
  • One letter from a student/alumnus — 500 words maximum. This letter should focus on the nominee’s teaching ability and his or her influence on the student’s academic or career goals.
  • One letter from the unit administrator — 500 words maximum. The letter should focus on the nominee’s contributions to departmental, college and university teaching programs.
• The nomination packets are intended to be generic — therefore DO NOT include clip art or graphics in the materials. However, a picture of the individual and five bullet points about the nominee for the ceremony, will be submitted with the packet for the awards ceremony. The picture and bullet points will not be included in the ranking materials provided to the selection committee.

In recognition of the significant and lasting contributions of Heimsch to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and to Idaho agriculture. The award includes a cash prize and a plaque. Selection of the researcher is based on the following guidelines:

Selection Criteria

• The nominee must be a faculty member of the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station.
• The research award will be given at the discretion of the awards committee. It will be presented at the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Awards Banquet, but need not be given annually.
• The single recipient will be chosen based on the following criteria:
• Relevance of their basic and/or applied research to the mission of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences/Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station
• Research productivity (publications, grantsmanship and training)
• Evidence for recognition of the research by peers in their scientific discipline.

Materials Required

• Nominee’s description of research activity which includes (1) relevance of their basic and/or applied research to the mission of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences/Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station (2) research productivity (publications, grantsmanship and training) and (3) evidence for recognition of the research by peers in their scientific discipline (maximum 1,000 words).
• A maximum of three letters of support (500 word maximum each) describing how the nominee meets the award criteria may be submitted from individuals supporting the nomination (administrators, colleagues, peers, alumni, students or people served). It is vital that the authors of these letters specify their relationship to the nominee.
• The nomination packets are intended to be generic – therefore DO NOT include clip art or graphics in the materials. However, a picture of the individual and five bullet points about the nominee for the ceremony will be submitted with the packet for the awards ceremony. The picture and bullet points will not be included in the ranking materials provided to the selection committee.