The Judy Awards

Named in honor of Judith Enyeart Reynolds, the Judy Awards celebrate the excellence of RCOAL faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends through distinction.

View 2022 Judy Award winners

Award Descriptions

Please review the list below of awards, their descriptions, and the nominating form. You may nominate someone else, but self-nominations are also encouraged.

1. INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
   • Spirit Award
   • Bear Up Award
   • Interdisciplinary Collaboration Award
   • Undergraduate Advising Award
   • Graduate Mentorship Award
   • Newcomer Award
   • Graduate Student Awards
     • Outstanding Graduate Student Award
     • Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
   • Teaching Awards
     • Teaching in the Arts Award
     • Teaching in the Letters Award
   • Research Awards
     • Research in the Arts Award
     • Research in the Letters Award
   • Citizenship Awards
     • University Citizenship Award
     • Community Citizenship Award
     • RCOAL Diversity Council Award
   • Dean Awards
     • Dean's Champion Award
     • Dean's Alumnus Award
     • Dean's Legacy Award
2. DEPARTMENT AWARDS
   • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award
   • Pulse Award

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INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Spirit Award

This award will be presented to an individual who provides significant support to the programs and initiatives of RCOAL. The recipient will have invested their energy into attending, supporting, volunteering, and promoting various RCOAL programs. The purpose of this award is to recognize those who foster a positive atmosphere in the college.

Criteria: Open to all faculty and staff in RCOAL. Submit a nomination.

Bear Up Award

This award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated strength and advocacy by making space for any underrepresented group. The recipient’s primary role would have been to amplify the voices and/or experiences of those who are often marginalized. Special consideration for this award will be given to those whose work connects to efforts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and/or the University’s three pillars of community engagement, cultural competency, and ethical leadership.

Criteria: Open to all faculty and staff in RCOAL. Submit a nomination.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration Award

This award will be presented to individuals who cross department boundaries to collaborate on a special project, interdisciplinary research or curriculum creation, or any other relevant goal or initiative. The primary focus of this award will be to recognize those who have built bridges across departments for the greater benefit of RCOAL.

Criteria: Open to all faculty and staff in RCOAL. Submit a nomination.

Undergraduate Advising Award

This award will be presented to an individual who demonstrates commitment to undergraduate success through advising. The recipient will be someone who not only guides students in curriculum, but who also connects students with campus resources, advocates for students, seeks professional development opportunities related to advising, and uses innovative advising approaches.

Criteria: Open to all faculty and staff in RCOAL. Submit a nomination.

Graduate Mentorship Award

This award will be presented to an individual who demonstrates commitment to graduate advising and mentorship. The recipient will recognize the unique challenges of guiding graduate students toward success, including placing emphasis on the professional socialization of graduate students, encouraging them to share their work with a broader audience, and offering assistance in post-graduate career planning.

Criteria: Open to all graduate faculty in RCOAL. Submit a nomination.

Newcomer Award

This award will be presented to an individual who has made significant achievements within the college during their brief time in RCOAL. The recipient’s contributions may be behind-the-scenes or more front-facing but will ultimately play a role in the success of the college.

Criteria: Open to all faculty and staff in RCOAL with three or fewer years of service to the college. Submit a nomination.

Graduate Student Awards

Outstanding Grad Student Award

This award will be presented to a graduate student who has excelled both inside and outside the classroom. The recipient will show a strong commitment to education and act as a mentor to other graduate students.

Criteria: Open to all graduate students in RCOAL. Submit a nomination.

Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award

This award will be presented to a graduate student who exceeds expectations in desired learning outcomes. The recipient will show a strong commitment to classroom excellence, inclusive teaching practices, and instructional development.

Criteria: Open to all graduate teaching assistants in RCOAL. Submit a nomination.

Teaching Awards

Teaching in the Arts Award

This award will be presented to individual(s) who demonstrate excellence in arts education. The recipient(s) will employ innovative teaching practices, foster a collegial learning environment, and show commitment to student success. Special consideration for this award will be given to those whose teaching connects to efforts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and/or the University’s three pillars of community engagement, cultural competency, and ethical leadership.

Criteria: Open to arts teaching staff at all ranks, including per course faculty, in RCOAL. The determination of “arts” is at the discretion of the nominee. Submit a nomination.

Teaching in the Letters Award

This award will be presented to individual(s) who demonstrate excellence in letters education. The recipient(s) will employ innovative teaching practices, foster a collegial learning environment, and show commitment to student success. Special consideration for this award will be given to those whose teaching connects to efforts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and/or the University’s three pillars of community engagement, cultural competency, and ethical leadership.

Criteria: Open to letters teaching staff at all ranks, including per course faculty, in RCOAL. The determination of “letters” is at the discretion of the nominee. Submit a nomination.

Research Awards

Research in the Arts Award

This award will be presented to individual(s) who demonstrate excellence in creative arts research. Special consideration for this award will be given to those whose research connects to efforts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and/or the University’s three pillars of community engagement, cultural competency, and ethical leadership.

Criteria: Open to arts faculty at all ranks in RCOAL. The determination of “arts” is at the discretion of the nominee. Submit a nomination.

Research in the Letters Award

This award will be presented to individual(s) who demonstrate excellence in letters research. Special consideration for this award will be given to those whose research connects to efforts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and/or the University’s three pillars of community engagement, cultural competency, and ethical leadership.

Criteria: Open to letters faculty at all ranks in RCOAL. The determination of “letters” is at the discretion of the nominee. Submit a nomination.

Citizenship Awards

University Citizenship Award

This award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated excellence on behalf of RCOAL by being an active partner in various projects within the Missouri State University community. The recipient will have made significant contributions to their department, RCOAL and/or the University. Special consideration for this award will be given to those whose work connects to efforts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and/or the University’s three pillars of community engagement, cultural competency, and ethical leadership.

Criteria: Open to all faculty and staff in RCOAL. Submit a nomination.

Community Citizenship Award

This award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated excellence on behalf of RCOAL by being an active partner in various projects within the Springfield and Southwest Missouri community. The recipient will have made significant contributions to organization(s) whose mission is focused on betterment of the community. Special consideration for this award will be given to those whose work connects to efforts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and/or the University’s three pillars of community engagement, cultural competency, and ethical leadership.

Criteria: Open to all faculty and staff in RCOAL. Submit a nomination.

RCOAL Diversity Council Award

This award will be presented to an individual of RCOAL who has demonstrated excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion. This award will be selected by the RCOAL Diversity Council.

Criteria: Open to all faculty, staff, and students in RCOAL. Submit a nomination.

Dean Awards

Dean's Champion Award

This award will be presented to an individual outside of RCOAL in the university or community who has invested in the success of the college. The recipient’s contributions reflect commitment to our faculty, students, staff, and facilities.

Dean's Alumnus Award

This award will be presented to an outstanding alumnus of RCOAL. The recipient will have demonstrated significant professional success, engagement in the community, and an investment in RCOAL.

Dean's Legacy Award

The award will be presented to a member of the RCOAL community who has made significant and long-lasting contributions to the college.

DEPARTMENT AWARDS

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award

This award will be presented to the RCOAL department that illustrates commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through its pedagogy, faculty development, recruitment, retention, and success of underrepresented students.

Criteria: Open to all departments in RCOAL. Submit a nomination. Only one nomination per department.

Pulse Award

This award will be presented to the RCOAL department that has achieved greatness over the school year. The award recognizes a department for achievements that set a pace/tone for the entire college. The department worthy of this award exhibits excellence at faculty, staff, and student levels, with exemplary leadership from departmental administrators.

Criteria: Open to all departments in RCOAL. Submit a nomination. Only one nomination per department.

Questions?

Please contact Aaron Qiu with any questions relating to the Judy Awards and the nomination process.