Faculty Affairs and Professional Development

CU System Awards

The CU Denver Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Development facilitates the nominations for the selection of Distinguished Professors.

The system Office of Academic Affairs administers the Thomas Jefferson Awards.

Distinguished Professor Award

The title "Distinguished Professor" is the highest honor that the University of Colorado bestows on its own faculty members. It recognizes the outstanding contributions of tenured faculty members to their academic disciplines.

The CU Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus Policy 1010: Distinguished Professorships policy was developed in accordance with the University of Colorado APS, Procedures for Implementing Regent Actions on Distinguished Professorships.

A few points:

• Nominations for Distinguished Professor are due in the Dean's Office by March 1 each year.
• Nominations for Distinguished Professor are due to the Faculty Affairs Campus Administrator in the Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Development by April 1 each year.
• A committee of faculty members from CU Denver, convened by the office of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development, reviews the nominations and makes recommendations to the Chancellor.
• The Chancellor sends CU Denver nominations to the President by August 1.
• A President's Review Committee reviews dossiers from all campuses, submits recommendations to the President, and the President transmits positive recommendations to the Board of Regents.
• Distinguished Professorships usually are approved and announced at the November Board of Regents meeting.

Learn more about the Distinguished Professor criteria, nomination materials, and CU Denver process.

The Thomas Jefferson Award

This University award is given to persons who advance the ideals of Thomas Jefferson, which include:

• broad interests in literature, arts and sciences, and public affairs
• strong concern for the advancement of higher education
• deep seated sense of individual civic responsibility
• profound commitment to the welfare and rights of the individual

Nominations

Any member of the university community may submit a nomination.  Eligible nominees include full-time CU tenured, tenure-track faculty, instructional, research, and clinical faculty, full-time CU students, and full-time CU staff.

Nominations must demonstrate how the nominee's achievements reflect superior performance in their normal work or scholarship and notable participation in humanitarian activities. The award is one of the University's highest honors and includes a one-time payment of $2,000 and an engraved plaque for each recipient. A reception in honor of the recipients will take place after the award notification.

The nomination deadline occurs early in the spring semester.

The nomination packet is limited to 30 pages and must include:

• a cover letter that addresses the award criteria, especially the service performed outside of the normal course of the nominee’s duties;
• at least three, but no more than five, supporting letters from multiple constituencies – e.g., colleagues; departmental, school/college, and campus leaders; and community leaders;
• the nominee’s current curriculum vitae or résumé.

Find more information email the CU Office of Academic Affairs or call 303-860-5600.