It has been a tradition at Marquette University to honor full-time faculty members each year, who are recognized by students and colleagues alike as extraordinary teachers, with the Marquette Awards for Teaching Excellence. These awards are supported by grants from the Robert and Mary Gettel Fund, the Stearns Foundation, and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence G. Haggerty.

Each award citation reads in part: "In recognition of demonstrated ability to inspire students to see the ideals of the University and to cause them to grow in knowledge and scholarship for the glory of God and the good of others."

Marquette University is blessed with many excellent teachers. Please take a few moments to review the award criteria and then submit the names of one to three full-time faculty members from any college, school or program whom you think merit this award. Please note that past recipients of the Teaching Excellence Awards are not eligible for nomination. The list of previous recipients is provided at the following link: Past Teaching Excellence Award Recipients.

Full-time faculty and presidents of MUSG, GSO and registered student organizations and academic honor societies are eligible to nominate.

The General Criteria for the Teaching Excellence Awards

The general criteria for the Teaching Excellence Award align with the three dimensions of Marquette University’s shared vision of teaching as described in Marquette University Teaching Quality Framework.   In this way, Marquette recognizes faculty who embody the critical dispositions, principles, and Jesuit values required to prepare students to be ethical contributors to the common good, consistently using effective and creative methods to provide a transformative educational experience for Marquette’s students.

Dimension 1: Course Design & Instructional Techniques

How effectively does the nominee design learning environments that foster deep learning, curiosity, student growth and ethical engagement?

Dimension 2: Inclusive Learning & Student Engagement

How does the nominee create learning environments where all students feel valued, challenged, and supported?

Dimension 3: Teaching as an Evolving Practice

How does the nominee demonstrate ongoing growth, reflection, and leadership as an educator?

For further guidance, please see the Marquette University Teaching Quality Framework.

Supporting documents should address the specific gifts, talents, and skills that make the nominee unique as an educator in relation to these three dimensions and the values that inspire their teaching excellence. 

Selection of Awards

After nomination ballots are received, the following steps are followed to identify the award winners. 

1. The names of approximately ten full- faculty members who receive the most nominations will be forwarded to their deans and each faculty member will be notified. The Dean or her/his delegate will then prepare a dossier on the candidate.
2. The Committee on Teaching faculty and student members will independently review the dossiers and rank the nominees. The recommended award winners will be determined from these rankings. 
3. Upon the recommendation of the Provost and the approval of the President, the awards will be presented at the Pere Marquette Dinner. 

Thank you for your participation in honoring our excellent faculty.

Information and the nomination form for 2026-2027 will be forthcoming.