The UNC System invites all 17 institutions to nominate one faculty member for the inaugural 2027 President’s Award for Teaching Excellence in Civil Discourse. The award recognizes faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching using dialogue and discourse to strengthen student learning—in the classroom, across campuses, and beyond. Sponsored by the UNC System’s Common Ground Collaborative, the award celebrates civil discourse as an important component of excellent teaching. Campus nominations will be reviewed by the UNC System Faculty Assembly Task Force on Civil Discourse and awarded in Spring 2027. All institutional nominees will be acknowledged, and one award recipient will receive an honorarium in the amount of $10,000.
Self-nominations must address the following criteria (per the UNC System award requirements):
- Why is it important to connect your teaching to civil discourse? [1-2pp]
- Please provide examples of how you’ve connected your teaching to civil discourse. [1-2 pp not including appendices, links, artifacts, etc]
- Please provide ways you’ve been a leader in civil discourse on your campus and beyond. [1 page]
- Peer/chair recommendations —limit 3; no more than 1-2 pages each. Focus on teaching contributions and campus/community impact.
- Submit quantitative (only) student evaluation results from the last two years. Summer not required, but allowed.
- Peer observation: Include peer observations from teaching. [1-2pp]
- Include updated CV—5 page limit.
- Is there anything else you would like us to know?
Please send self-nominations to Ms. Alei Coleman in the Office of the Provost at colemana@wcu.edu by November 15, 2026.