Outstanding teaching is an integral part of Mason’s mission and is deserving of significant recognition. The Teaching Excellence Awards are both institutional recognition and a monetary acknowledgment of the significant work that faculty members devote to course planning and preparation; curriculum development; and innovative teaching, advising, and undergraduate and graduate mentoring. We urge you to take this opportunity to recognize teaching excellence at Mason; please nominate someone you view as an outstanding educator for this honor.
The 2026 Teaching Excellence Award Nominations are open!
University Teaching Excellence Award Winners are honored in three categories:
- Teaching Excellence Awards for full-time faculty (term and tenure-line) who have completed at least three years teaching at GMU
- Adjunct Teaching Excellence Awards for part-time faculty who have completed at least six semesters of teaching (not necessarily contiguous) at least one course at GMU
- Online Teaching Excellence Awards, sponsored by Mason Online, for faculty in any appointment type who teach 100% online courses (asynchronous and/or synchronous) who have taught at least one fully online course during the past academic year, and who also have at least four semesters completed of teaching fully online courses at Mason
Nominees are invited to submit a portfolio of materials documenting their approaches to teaching, which are reviewed by a committee comprising current faculty who have previously won a university teaching award at GMU.
Teachers of Distinction: Our Teachers of Distinction are faculty members who have been finalists for a Teaching Excellence Award, and who are recognized across campus for their exceptional teaching and their commitment to teaching-related activities.
David J. King Award: This award recognizes a faculty member in any field or appointment line who has made significant, long-term contributions (across at least 20 years) to the overall educational excellence of the university.
Distinguished Library Faculty Award Winners are selected by a committee of their peers, and honored each year alongside our other excellent teachers.
