Distinguished Faculty Awards

Elevating Excellence. Supporting Careers.

Texas Tech University is proud to introduce a new suite of faculty awards designed to recognize outstanding contributions in teaching, research, creative activity, and engagement across all appointment types. These designations reflect our commitment to faculty success and help support our broader strategic priorities, including our pursuit of AAU membership.

These awards complement existing honors such as the Horn Professorship, expanding our recognition framework to celebrate excellence at every stage of a faculty member’s career.

A Foundation for the Future

These new faculty designations provide a more inclusive and responsive recognition model for a university of our size, scope, and ambition. They are also essential tools in retaining world-class talent and positioning Texas Tech as a national leader in academic excellence.
Questions? Contact the Office of Faculty Success.

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 Award Categories 

 

• University Distinguished Professorship
• Texas University Fund (TUF) Distinguished Research Professorships
• Distinguished Educator or Engaged Scholar
• President's Distinguished Scholar or Artist

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 Award Timeline & Process 

November 1: Deadline for nominations to be submitted to nominee’s academic colleges.  

Points of contact for college submissions:

• College of Arts & Sciences: Randy McBee
• Huckabee College of Architecture: Hendricka Buelincx
• Rawls College of Business: Mayukh Dass
• Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources: Mikki Ross
• College of Education: Aubrea Pool
• Edward E. Whitacre, Jr. College of Engineering
• Graduate School: Heather Greenhalgh-Spencer
• College of Health & Human Sciences: Dottie Durband
• Honors College: Rob Peaslee
• Law School: Frank Ramos
• College of Media & Communication: Amy Koerber 
• University Libraries: Forthcoming
• Texas Tech Online: Forthcoming
• School of Veterinary Medicine: Heather Scalf
• J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts: Ivy Walz

December 20: Deadline for colleges to forward nominees to the Office of the Provost

Spring Semester: University review process

April: Honorees announced

All awards are centrally funded, with philanthropic expansion planned over time. Not all awards will be issued every year, reflecting the program’s selectivity and rigor.

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University Distinguished Professorship

Our most prestigious new honor, this award recognizes tenured full professors/librarians/archivists with at least five consecutive years of service at Texas Tech.

Focus:For significant and ongoing accomplishments in teaching, scholarly and creative activities, and/or engaged scholarship 

Nomination

• Self-nominations are not permitted.
• Nomination packages must come through nominee’s college.
• Arts & Sciences is permitted to submit up to two nominations per year. All other colleges are permitted to submit up to one nomination per college per year.

Nomination review process

• College-level committee will review submissions and identify college nominee(s).
• Dean will insert letter of support (2 page limit) and forward package to Provost’s office by 12/20 annually.
• Reviewing committee will consider all submitted nominations and will render a decision, awarding between zero and two awards by 3/15 annually.

Reviewing committee includes representation from:

• Office of the Provost
• Office of Research & Innovation
• Teaching Academy
• Faculty members holding endowed chairs or professorships

Terms

• Award is for an initial, five-year period and carries a $30,000 salary adjustment.
• In the fourth year of the initial, five-year period, applicants may apply to carry the title and retain the salary adjustment until the faculty member separates from Texas Tech University.
• Faculty members holding University Distinguished Professorships are subject to the requirements of faculty conduct as described in OP 32.04, Conduct of University Faculty. Faculty members holding University.
• Distinguished Professorships found to be in violation of OP 32.04 are subject to the revocation of their Distinguished Professorship.
• Total number of new appointments limited to two per academic year.

NOMINATE A CANDIDATE

Texas University Fund (TUF) Distinguished Research Professorship

This designation supports senior faculty—either current or incoming—who are engaged in strategic research initiatives aligned with institutional and statewide goals.

Focus:   For faculty members in the following position types who will lead or significantly contribute to strategic research initiatives:

• • Professors/Librarians/Archivists with Tenure;
  • Research Professors with Continuing Appointment.

Nomination

• Self-nominations are not permitted.
• Nomination packages must come through nominee’s college.
• Arts & Sciences is permitted to submit up to two nominations per year. All other colleges are permitted to submit up to one nomination per college per year. 

Nomination review process

• College-level committee will review submissions and identify college nominee(s).
• Dean will insert letter of support (2 page limit) and forward package to Provost’s office by 12/20 annually.
• Reviewing committee will consider all submitted nominations and will render a decision, awarding between zero and two awards by 3/15 annually.

Reviewing committee includes representation from:

• Office of Research & Innovation
• Office of the Provost
• Associate Deans for Research & Creative Activity
• Faculty members holding research-focused endowed chairs or professorships

Terms

•  Award is for an initial, five-year period and carries a $30,000 salary adjustment
• In the fourth year of the initial, five-year period, applicants may apply to carry the title and retain the salary adjustment until the faculty member separates from Texas Tech University..
• Faculty members holding Distinguished Research Professorships are subject to the requirements of faculty conduct as described in OP 32.04, Conduct of University Faculty. Faculty members holding Distinguished Research Professorships found to be in violation of OP 32.04 are subject to the revocation of their Distinguished Research Professorship.
• Total number of new appointments limited to two per academic year. 

NOMINATE A CANDIDATE

Distinguished Educator or Engaged Scholar

This award honors senior lecturers and professors of practice with a minimum of five years of continuous service to the university.

Focus: For significant and ongoing accomplishments in teaching or engaged scholarship.

Nomination

• Self-nominations are not permitted.
• Nomination packages must come through nominee’s college.
• Arts & Sciences is permitted to submit up to two nominations per year. All other colleges are permitted to submit up to one nomination per college per year.

Nomination review process

• College-level committee will review submissions and identify college nominee(s).
• Dean will insert letter of support (2 page limit) and forward package to Provost’s office by 12/20 annually.
• Reviewing committee will consider all submitted nominations and will render a decision, awarding between zero and two awards by 3/15 annually.

Reviewing committee includes representation from:

• Office of the Provost
• Associate Deans for Outreach & Engagement
• Teaching Academy Executive Council
• Teaching Academy

Terms

• Award is for an initial, five-year period and carries a $20,000 salary adjustment
• In the fourth year of the initial, five-year period, applicants may apply to carry the title and retain the salary adjustment until the faculty member separates from Texas Tech University.
• Faculty members holding Distinguished Educator or Engaged Scholar titles are subject to the requirements of faculty conduct as described in OP 32.04, Conduct of University Faculty. Faculty members holding Distinguished Educator or Engaged Scholar titles found to be in violation of OP 32.04 are subject to the revocation of their awards.
• Total number of new appointments limited to two per academic year. 

NOMINATE A CANDIDATE

President’s Distinguished Scholar or Artist

Designed to recognize and retain mid-career faculty, this Presidential honor supports continued scholarly, research, or creative activity.

Eligible positions: Associate/Full Professors, Associate/Full Professors of Practice, Research Associate Professors.

Nomination

• Self-nominations are not permitted.
• Nomination packages must come through nominee’s college.
• Nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Reviewing committee includes representation from:

• Office of the Provost
• Academic Deans
• Academic Associate Deans
• Department Chairs, School Directors, and Area Coordinators

Terms

• Award is for a three-year term and carries a $10,000 salary adjustment and use of title.
• In the third year of the initial period of award, applicants may apply to carry the title and retain the salary adjustment for a second three-year period.
• Faculty members holding President’s Distinguished Scholar or Artist titles are subject to the requirements of faculty conduct as described in OP 32.04, Conduct of University Faculty. Faculty members holding Distinguished Scholar or Artist titles found to be in violation of OP 32.04 are subject to the revocation of their award.

NOMINATE A CANDIDATE