Teaching and Learning
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Teaching and Learning
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5230 USA
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MAC Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success

Since 2020, the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Academic Consortium has recognized faculty through the Mid-American Conference Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success. This award recognizes one full-time faculty member nominee from each MAC institution for their outstanding effort to support and develop students both inside and outside of the classroom. This student-focused award is distinguishable from academic or research-based awards as it celebrates the commitment of the MAC to a holistic student experience and the creation of an environment that supports success in school and in life.  Each year, nominees are submitted to MAC institutions and reviewed by selection committees. The institutional and overall winners are announced at the Spring MAC Basketball Championship and will be invited to attend the MAC Honors Dinner, along with one guest.

2026 WMU Awardee – Dr. Ashlyn Kuersten, Professor, Sociology

Selection as an Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success Institutional Winner is distinguishable from academic or research-based awards as it celebrates the commitment of the MAC to a holistic student experience and the creation of an environment that supports success in school and in life. Learn more at the MAC website below.

2026 MAC Faculty Awards
Dr. Ashlyn Kuersten, Professor, Sociology 2026 WMU Awardee

WMU Nomination Submission Guidelines

At WMU, the Office of Faculty Development solicits nominations from deans and forwards them to a WMU selection committee for review before submitting our final nominee to the MAC.

Note: Nominations for 2026 closed on Friday, January 16. Please note that future nominations will only be accepted from the deans of each college. Any nominations submitted without dean-level approval will not be considered. For more details, contact Tonya Dean, Administrative Assistant Senior, Office of Faculty Development at the link below.

Contact Tonya Dean (Office of Faculty Development)

MAC Nomination Eligibility / Criteria

Each MAC full member university will have the opportunity to submit one (1) nominee for this award on an annual basis. Nominations from each university must be signed by the school’s Provost (or their selected designee).

Each nominee must be a full-time faculty member engaged with undergraduate and/or graduate students and demonstrate commitment to the following criteria:

  • Demonstration of commitment to student success and lifelong learning
  • Demonstration of predominantly outward focus on student success, rather than inward focus on personal teaching/research success
  • Demonstration of a commitment to student support and development
  • Demonstration of enhancements to the student experience (curricular and co-curricular)
  • Demonstrated excellence in teaching and research, scholarship, and creative activities
  • Development or support of an inclusive environment/culture
  • Demonstration of a commitment to inclusion
  • Active participation in the promotion and educational awareness of inclusion
  • Academic Achievement
  • Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, & Equity
  • Fiscal Responsibility
  • Integrity
  • Sportsmanship
  • Student-Athlete Well-Being

Nominations should include the following:

  • Completed nomination form (attached)
  • 500-word statement from nominee addressing the criteria
  • A current vita – limit 3 pages including the most relevant information/experience related to the award criteria
  • Three letters of support
    • At least one letter must be from a student
    • At least one letter must be from a Dean or Chair/Director
  • Professional headshot at 250-word bio (for public release)

Award nominations will be reviewed by the selection committee and winners will be announced in conjunction with the MAC Basketball Championship and recognized at the MAC Honors Dinner.

Please note: WMU’s nomination deadline for this award is mid-January each year. New dates are released each November with the call.

NovemberNomination period opens
January 16Nominations are due to the Office of Faculty Development
January 29WMU sends nominations to MAC Office
January 30Nominations and applications distributed to Selection Committee
FebruarySelect Committee reviews nominations
March 3Award winner identified
March 11MAC Basketball Championship – Award winner announced.
MayAward winner recognized at MAC Honors Dinner