The University of Colorado Denver highly values faculty mentoring as a way to support faculty success and wellbeing. In Spring 2025, the Center for Faculty Development & Advancement (CFDA) unveiled the CFDA Faculty Mentoring Award. Faculty are encouraged to nominate their mentors.

Recipients and Award

Each year, two faculty members will receive the award. Candidates must mentor in either of the CFDA's faculty mentoring programs: the Early Career Faculty Mentoring Program or the Associate to Full Professor Mentoring Program.

Each winner will receive $1000 in professional development funds. Their photograph will be displayed in the CFDA.

Award Purpose and Objectives

Recognize Excellence: To honor faculty members who have shown exemplary mentoring skills and dedication

Encourage Mentorship: To promote a culture of mentorship within the university, encouraging faculty to engage in meaningful mentoring relationships

Support Development: To support the professional and personal development of junior and mid-career faculty through effective mentorship

Award Criteria

Nominees will be evaluated using the following criteria. Criteria are described on the attached rubric.

• Investment in the Mentoring Relationship(s)
• Contribution to Mentee Scholarly Development
• Contribution to Mentee Professional Development
• Long-Term Impact on Mentee
• Mentoring Individuals with Diverse Identities
• Scope or Magnitude of Mentoring

  Nominees’ accomplishments related to each criterion will be evaluated using the following rubric[SK5] : cfda-excellence-in-fac-ment-rubric-2025.docx

   

  Nomination Process:

• Nominations must be submitted by current faculty. Faculty may not self-nominate.
• A nomination form will be made available on the CFDA’s website. Nomination letters & additional required information must be submitted through the nomination form.
• The following materials and information must be submitted:
  • o   A nomination letter addressed to the Excellence in Faculty Mentoring Award Committee, and the letter should include the following:
    • Name, title, department of the nominator
    • Name, title, department of the nominee
    • A clear description of the contributions that make the nominee deserving of this award based on the criteria described in the rubric.
    • A letter of support from an additional faculty member. If the mentee is the nominator, the additional faculty member could be another mentee or a colleague who knows the mentor’s mentoring work well.

     

     

    Selection Committee

    A selection committee comprised of two faculty members with experience in mentoring and one member of the CFDA will perform the selection process.

     

    Nomination Period and Announcement

    The award will be open for nominations from September through early February, each academic year. Please check back or inquire with the CFDA (cfda@ucdenver.edu) for specific dates.

    The Office of Faculty Affairs will announce the winner; date to be announced. University Communications will amplify the announcement in relevant university publications.

     

    Award Presentation

    The award will be presented during CU Denver’s annual Faculty Awards banquet.