MPA Award for the Outstanding Teaching of Psychology in Community/Two-Year Colleges

The 2024 Award Nomination period is now closed.  

This award recognizes a faculty member who brings a special quality or commitment to working with psychology students in the community college/two year college setting. The award will be presented at the MPA Annual Conference. The procedures and criteria for the award are outlined below.

CRITERIA: Nominations will be judged on the following criteria, although nominees will not be expected to have achieved recognition in all areas.

• Demonstrated influence in interesting students in the field of psychology. Examples might include: actions by the teacher, both curricular and co-curricular, intended to increase student interest and involvement in psychology; excellence in advising; recognition of psychology as a discipline which fosters diverse perspectives; and facilitating transfer of students for continuing work in four-year programs.
• Development of effective teaching methods, courses, and/or teaching materials. Examples might include: effective use of new technology; the adoption of newer approaches to teaching/learning such as cooperative learning; the development of innovative courses or curricula; and collaboration with other faculty in the institution to provide instruction on psychological topics in other majors and programs.
• Outstanding performance as a classroom teacher. Examples might include student evaluations, colleague evaluations, teaching awards or other forms of prior recognition, and evidence of uniqueness that gives a special quality to teaching and enhances student learning.
• Professional identity as a teacher of psychology. Examples might include: professional activity on or away from campus, including publications of articles on teaching, attendance at professional meetings or workshops relevant to the teaching of psychology, and effective mentoring of new faculty.

Nominations of an outstanding teacher of psychology in community/two-year institutions can be made by a faculty colleague, the department chair, or an institutional administrator. Nominees from any stage in their career as faculty members are welcome, and the award can be for distinguished performance over many years or a single extraordinary contribution. Neither the nominee nor the nominator needs to be a member of MPA. The nomination packet should contain:
1.) The nominee’s vita which should include degrees, granting institutions, and years granted; nominee’s professional work history; professional and honorary organizations in which the nominee holds membership.
2.) No more than three letters from students who are currently or have been (within five years) enrolled in psychology courses at the institution.
3.) A letter of no more than three pages from the nominator that addresses the criteria listed above.

Questions can be directed to Joan Ostrove at Macalester College ([email protected]).

All 2024 awards will be presented at the MPA Annual Conference on Thursday, April 4, 2024.