As an institution dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarly and creative activity, and learning, Rowan University will honor one (1) junior faculty member who demonstrates innovative and meaningful teaching that promotes student learning. 

For this prestigious award, innovative teaching means the inclusion and application of research and scholarly activity within classroom pedagogy (e.g., bridging theory and teaching practice, introduction of cutting-edge research into learning objectives and activities, leveraging research expertise in course content and delivery). 

• • $350 for one recipient
  • $500 educational materials stipend
    • Must be used for the purchase of educational materials.
    • Must be used by June 30th, 2026.

Full-time junior faculty members (tenure track and non-tenure track) are eligible for this award. Junior faculty members are full-time probationary faculty members serving in the following capacities: 

• Pre-Tenure, Tenure-Track Assistant Professors who have not applied for tenure* or
• Assistant Teaching Professors in their first six years of service

*Faculty whose tenure officially begins September 1, 2026 of the current year are not eligible.

The criteria for selection include:

• Strong evidence of the integration of innovative scholarly and creative activity into classroom teaching practices or approaches (e.g., content delivery, student involvement, pedagogical approaches, etc.); and 
• Demonstrated understanding of the impact this integration has on students. (i.e, Applicants must provide evidence of the impact on students of the integration of innovative scholarly and creative activity into teaching.)

Applicants are required to submit an application form with a description (no more than 1500 words) of the innovative teaching, scholarly, and creative methodologies that:

• Briefly describes the faculty member’s creative and scholarly activity/expertise;
• Discusses context for the innovative teaching practice and its implementation;
• Explains how and why the integration is innovative; and
• Analyzes and clearly articulates its impact on students. 

Limited supplemental documents (such as classroom materials, student comments that support the innovation, scholarly works you've written about this innovation, and so on) may also be included either as links within the document or at the end of the document beyond the 1500-word limit. 

The entire document is to be saved as a pdf (including supplemental documents) cannot exceed five (5) pages. Only one (1) pdf may be submitted.

Submit your application materials here.

For more information or with additional questions, please contact Dr. Joseph Higgins (higgins@rowan.edu).

The Awards Committee comprises former award winners who will review applications.

The winner will be recognized at the University’s Celebrating Excellence Award Ceremony in April.