ALISE Excellence in Teaching Award

The ALISE Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes excellence in educating the next generation of library and information professionals. The winning LIS educator receives a complimentary annual ALISE membership and registration to the ALISE annual conference.

Chair

Shimelis Assefa, University of Denver

Jury Members

Richard Arias-Hernandez, University of British Columbia
Yijun Gao, Dominican University
Sarah Barriage, University of Manitoba
Colin Furness, University of Toronto

Board Liaison

Denise Adkins, University of Missouri, Director of Membership Services

2020 Sponsor

ALISE is thankful for the generous support of the H.W. Wilson Foundation for sponsoring the award.

HW Wilson

Award Criteria

  • Illustrates student-centered thinking in all aspects of teaching
  • Contributions to curriculum design which demonstrate subject expertise and the ability to integrate new developments in library and information science
  • Has track record as a career builder: is a mentor and recognizes relationship to students can be career-long
  • Communicates the core principles of the library and information profession, such as intellectual freedom, privacy, and a belief in the value of libraries and information work
  • Effectively integrates theory, practice, research, and innovative teaching methods, infusing teaching with real-life library and information practice
  • Is forward thinking: keeps up with cutting-edge issues in the profession and in teaching, including those dealing with technology and its uses in the library field.

Eligibility

Anyone who has taught a course at an ALISE-member program or at an ALA-accredited master’s program since Fall 2015, as full-time faculty or as an adjunct, is eligible.

Nominations Requirements

  • Students or recent graduates and faculty members are encouraged to nominate candidates. Students must have taken a class from the nominee within the past two years.
  • Candidates will be evaluated primarily on the basis of the nominating letter (no more than two pages in length or email equivalent), and nominators are welcome to submit letters of support and supplementary material (examples of coursework, CV, etc.) for the judges to consider.

Winner Responsibilities

The award winner is expected to participate in an ALISE presentation, a webinar, and service on the following year’s Award Committee. The winner will be asked to present on cutting edge issues in library education at the ALISE conference as part of the award. 

Submission Process

Submit award nominations/applications online via EasyChair.

If you have not used EasyChair in the past and do not have an account, please create an account. Once logged in, select "Enter as an author."

Select the track that corresponds to the award name/type.

Submission Deadline

The submission deadline was April 15, 2020. We are no longer accepting submissions.

Committee Membership

  • The Committee consists of five members. 
  • Three ALISE members (selected by the President-Elect).
  • The prior years' award recipient.
  • Members serve for two years.
  • The Chair holds this position for one year.
  • The Committee reports to the Director of Membership Service

Previous Winners:
2020 - Rachel Fleming-May, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
2019 - Nicole Cooke, University of South Carolina
2018 - Renee Hill, University of Maryland
2017 - Jenna Hartel, University of Toronto
2016 - Patricia Galloway, University of Texas at Austin
2015 - Paul Jaeger, University of Maryland