Awards

Established in 1978, the Cornaro Award is presented annually to recognize an outstanding Texas Woman’s University faculty member for excellence in teaching, scholarship, and achievement and in appreciation for service to Texas Woman’s University. The award is named in honor of Elena Lucrezia Cornaro de la Piscopia, the first woman to receive a doctoral degree (University of Padua, 1678). Requires 10 years or more service to TWU as of September 1, 2024.

Named for the founder of Mount Holyoke, the first (1837) woman’s college in the U.S., two Mary Mason Lyon Awards are presented annually to recognize those individuals among the TWU junior faculty who are developing excellent records of teaching, research, and service and who evidence dedication to their careers and promise for success in the future. Requires at least 3 years but no more than 7 years of service to TWU as of September 1, 2024.

The Distinction in Distance Education award will be presented to one or more TWU faculty who have made distinguished contributions to distance education through program development, curriculum development, or teaching. Requires at least 2 semesters of service to TWU as of December 31, 2024.

The Distinction in Scholarship award will be presented to TWU faculty who have evidenced distinguished records of scholarship and dedication to improving knowledge and understanding in their discipline. Evidence of exemplary scholarship might include, but not be limited to, books, chapters in books and monographs, publications in professional journals, performances, exhibits, scholarly presentations, and workshops. Requires 3 years or more service to TWU as of September 1, 2024.

The Distinction in Service award will be presented to TWU faculty who are developing distinguished records of service to their component, the university, their professional field of study, and/or the community. Requires 3 years or more service to TWU as of September 1, 2024.

The Distinction in Teaching award will be presented to TWU faculty who have evidenced distinguished records of teaching and dedication to improving their teaching and the learning of their students. Requires 3 years or more service to TWU as of September 1, 2024.

The Innovation in Academia award will be presented to TWU faculty who influence the University, professional discipline, and/or larger community in a creative and positive manner resulting in new growth and progress in the Academy. Requires 3 years or more service to TWU as of September 1, 2024.

The Humphries Award for Dedication to TWU will be presented to TWU faculty who have through their loyalty and actions proved to be a model to all and a treasure to TWU. Requires 10 years or more service to TWU as of September 1, 2024.

Proposals will be reviewed by the Faculty Development Leave Committee. Faculty development leaves (similar to sabbaticals) are authorized for the primary purpose of increasing the value of the recipient’s sustained contribution to the University by providing the individual an opportunity for professional growth. Eligible faculty may request a one-semester leave at full pay or a two-semester leave at half pay for the academic year. The development leaves are not to be understood as deferred compensation nor are they to be anticipated based on longevity at the University alone. Development leave may be granted, upon application, for study, research, writing, field observations, or other suitable developmental purposes. Opportunities for additional training, improving skills, and maintaining currency are understood to be included as purposes of development leave.

An applicant must initiate the faculty development leave application endorsement procedure with the academic component administrator. Endorsement decisions must be based on faculty loads, curriculum needs, and other pertinent departmental/University considerations.

Faculty members considering leaves should review URP 02.334 Faculty Development Leave before submitting their applications.

• Faculty Development Leave Opportunities at TWU AY 2025-2026 [PDF]
• Faculty Development Leave Cover AY 2025-26 [PDF]
• Faculty Development Leave Application AY 2025-26 [PDF]

Faculty from any discipline may seek grant funding for faculty development activities that will contribute to the applicant’s teaching, scholarly, or service expertise. These small grants (usually in the $1000 - $1500 range) may be used to develop a new skill in teaching, scholarship, or leadership. Faculty cannot use these funds merely to attend a conference to present a paper. All proposals must be tied to specific goals for the faculty member, the academic component, college, or the university. The selection process for grants is competitive.

Faculty Development Grant Application AY 2025-26 [PDF]

• Active Emeritus Faculty [PDF]
• Comprehensive Emeritus Faculty [PDF]
• Emeritus Faculty URP
• Emeritus Staff URP

The Dr. G. Ann Uhlir Endowed Fellowship for Higher Education Administration was created to provide an opportunity for a TWU academic administrator, faculty member, or graduate student to gain a better understanding of leadership in order to prepare her or him for a higher level of administration. Interpersonal growth and self-discovery are areas which Dr. Uhlir felt are vital to leadership development.

The $2,500 fellowship award may be used for development activities completed during the Summer 2024, Fall 2024, or Spring 2025 terms. The fellowship is not intended to fund conferences, seminars, or workshops that are content-oriented (e.g., legal issues, faculty evaluations, budget development, scheduling, etc.), though these topics may be part of a broader program offering on leadership development which has a primary focus on self awareness and self-development.

Applications are not available at this time.