Criteria for Award

Selection for the award is based on criteria expressed by the donors as well as those established by the Academic Council.

Donor Wishes

A nominee must demonstrate:

• Evidence of innovative engaged learning opportunities for the immediate prior academic year (2023-24)

Academic Council Guidelines

At the time of nomination, applicants must:

• be part-time or full-time instructional faculty, either tenured, tenure-track or RTA

Nominations

• Colleges are invited to make one nomination. Nominations must be made through the dean and supported by the nominee’s academic unit. 
• Completed packets are submitted to the Associate Vice Provost for Academic Effectiveness and Evaluation by January 31, 2025 by email to vpfac@jmu.edu.  

 Nomination Materials

• A nomination letter of no more than three pages from the academic unit head or unit PAC addressing the nominee’s record of achievement related to the criteria set forth by the donor
• A student reference including a personal story of how the engagement activity enhanced their learning experience at JMU
• A personal statement of no more than three pages addressing the nominee’s accomplishments and contributions related to Student Engagement
• Faculty member’s current CV

 Nomination Letter and Personal Statement Guidelines

The nominee must provide evidence of innovative engaged learning opportunities for the immediate prior academic year that benefit student learning and overall experience at JMU.

The nomination letter should discuss the candidate’s accomplishments at JMU and in the profession, demonstrating clear evidence of the nature, level and/or degree of a nominee’s contributions. Examples may include activities in and out of the classroom that are considered high-impact practices: Service-learning, learning communities, research with students, internships/field experiences, study abroad and culminating senior experiences. 

 Process

• A selection committee makes a recommendation to the Provost, who selects the award recipient. The selection committee includes the Associate Vice Provost for Academic Effectiveness and Evaluation (chair/non-voting), a Faculty Senate representative, the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, the Mengebier Professorship recipient and two members from Academic Council appointed by the Provost.
• Recipients will be announced at the award luncheon held on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

Deadlines

Nominations must be submitted to the Associate Vice Provost for Academic Effectiveness and Evaluation by January 31, 2025 by email to vpfac@jmu.edu.

A. Jerry Benson Faculty Engagement Award Recipients

2024

Dr. Michelle Hesse
Associate Professor, Health Professions

2023

Dr. Christina Kilby
Associate Professor, Philosophy & Religion

2022

Audrey Barnes
Associate Professor, Industrial Design

2021

Dr. Seán McCarthy
Associate Professor, Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication