The Honors Faculty Fellow Program at Marshall University recognizes and supports faculty who exemplify excellence in Honors education. Through this reimagined program, the Honors College celebrates outstanding teaching and empowers faculty to collaborate on innovative initiatives that enhance the Honors experience for students.
Program Evolution
Since its inception, the Honors Faculty Fellow Program has served as a platform for faculty collaboration with the Honors College, fostering faculty development through initiatives aligned with strategic goals, including interdisciplinary and integrative learning. Previously organized as a cohort-based program, the Honors Faculty Fellow recognition now reflects a more flexible and individualized approach to honoring and supporting faculty.
This re-imagined program focuses on two key elements, which serve as “pathways” to becoming an Honors Faculty Fellow:
- Recognition of Excellence: Faculty members are awarded the title of Honors Faculty Fellow in acknowledgment of their exceptional contributions to Honors education, further supporting their professional development as educators and scholars.
- Support for Innovation: Faculty can apply for funding to support innovative curricular or co-curricular initiatives that advance the Honors College’s mission, providing structured opportunities for faculty development in teaching, mentoring, and student engagement.
By combining these two elements, the program honors faculty excellence while reinforcing professional development, creativity, collaboration, and transformative contributions to the Honors College. All Honors Faculty Fellows, whether recognized for their excellence in teaching or through successful project proposals, are celebrated during Honors College events, including the annual Honors Convocation, and featured in College communications. These opportunities showcase their dedication and contributions to the Marshall University community while affirming their vital role in providing transformative educational experiences for honors students.
Two Pathways to Becoming an Honors Faculty Fellow
01. Recognition of Excellence
Faculty who demonstrate exceptional teaching in Honors education may be awarded the title of Honors Faculty Fellow for a defined period to be determined at the time of the award. This recognition reflects their alignment with the mission of the Honors College, their commitment to integrative learning, and their dedication to fostering student engagement.
Selection Process
- Honors Faculty Fellows are selected based on a review of student evaluations and feedback from honors-designated departmental (e.g., BSC120H) and HON (e.g., HON 480) courses, as well as informal surveys and other indicators of faculty impact. The Dean may consider additional contributions to the Honors College, including faculty initiatives and engagement with the honors mission.
- At the end of the Fall and Spring semesters, the Dean of the Honors College will contact recognized faculty and their departmental chairs or unit heads.
Recognition Benefits
- Faculty selected as Honors Faculty Fellows will receive a $500 award as a direct expression of the Honors College’s appreciation for their exceptional contributions to Honors education. This no-strings-attached award to be used for faculty development purposes recognizes their excellence in teaching, dedication to student engagement, and alignment with the Honors College’s mission.
02. Support for Innovation
The Honors Faculty Fellow Program also supports faculty innovation by providing funding for initiatives that advance the Honors College’s goals. Faculty are encouraged to propose projects or programs that enhance the Honors student experience through innovative approaches to learning and engagement.
Selection Eligibility, Process and Criteria
- Tenured and tenure-track faculty, clinical-track faculty, and term instructors with current MU appointments.
- Faculty may submit proposals outlining their project goals, alignment with the Honors College mission, and expected impact on students.
- Proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis by Honors College leadership, with funding decisions based on the project’s merit, feasibility, and available resources.
- Successful Honors Faculty Fellow Project proposals will be selected along several criteria, including but not limited to the degree of:
• Alignment with the mission of the Honors College.
• Demonstrated plans to assess Honors College learning outcomes.
• Demonstrated plans to employ innovative pedagogies and experiential learning activities.
• Demonstrated willingness to serve as an ambassador of the college in the communities of which we are a part.
• Preparedness to document and share experiences as an Honors Faculty Fellow with members of the communities of which the college is a part.
Recognition Benefits
- Faculty who propose initiatives that align with the Honors College’s mission and strategic goals may apply for funding of up to $2,000 to support their projects. Proposals are reviewed based on merit, feasibility, and resource availability, with funding designed to empower faculty to bring innovative ideas to life.
Examples of Funded Projects - Designing new or enhanced Honors courses with a focus on integrative or experiential learning.
- Creating co-curricular programs that foster leadership, civic engagement, or interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Expanding research opportunities for Honors students, including collaborative or community-based research.
- Developing global engagement projects or initiatives that connect students with international learning opportunities.
A Dual Approach to Supporting Faculty
The reimagined Honors Faculty Fellow Program reflects the Honors College’s commitment to celebrating and supporting faculty who inspire and engage students. By combining formal recognition with opportunities for collaboration and innovation, the program:
• Honors the contributions of exceptional faculty through the Honors Faculty Fellow title.
• Empowers faculty to pursue creative projects that enrich the Honors College and enhance student experiences.
This dual approach strengthens the partnership between faculty and the Honors College, ensuring that together, we continue to provide transformative educational opportunities for our students.
