Re-established in 2007 as the John T. Szarlan Memorial Award in honor of the 13 years Mr. Szarlan served as a counselor and student advocate supporting students in their transition to the University.

The following criteria is used to determine which nominee will be the recipient of the John T. Szarlan Mentor Award:

• Serve as a positive role model and consistent leader for students in and out of the classroom
• Exhibits an ability to relate to all students
• Effectively shares tailored knowledge and support to help students academically and interpersonally
• Actively introduces students to opportunities to engage with the community and their undergraduate experience
• Collaborates with the FYE Instructor to determine expectations of their FYE Mentor role that are appropriate to that specific course
• Helps to create a positive classroom environment and build community among students through actions like co-curricular coordination, outside of class community building, and in-class activities

Mentors can be nominated by instructor(s) or students who they assisted in a FYE class. Upon receiving a nomination, the Office of FYP & LC contacts the FYE Mentor to inform them of the application process.

The Inclusive Excellence in FYE award recognizes efforts to integrate diversity and inclusion concepts into FYE courses. Diversity is defined broadly as the variety of cultures, world views, values, and personal experiences that may result from differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, national origin/immigration status, gender, age, religion, abilities, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The award recognizes distinctive and outstanding accomplishments that lead to systemic and transformational change.

The criteria used to determine the recipient(s) of the Inclusive Excellence in FYE Award are as follows:

• Must be one of the following:
  • Individual instructor or FYE Mentor
  • Teaching teams (FYE instructors, GAs, and/or FYE Mentors)
  • Campus partner(s) that facilitate workshops or assignments in FYE classes
• Demonstrates efforts to integrate diversity and inclusion concepts into FYE courses
  • This could include but is not limited to new courses that support underrepresented students, instructors/mentors/partners that use approaches such as employing more inclusive and interactive teaching methods, instituting classroom changes to expand students’ cultural awareness and cross-cultural development, communicating equity-minded practices throughout a discipline, and/or creating more welcoming and inclusive learning environments.
• Employs or creates effective, new, inclusive lesson plans, teaching methods, assignments, etc…to enhance all students’ learning and engage them in or outside of FYE classes
• Uses distinctive and outstanding methods that lead to systemic and transformational change in the FYE classroom or with FYE students

People or teams can be nominated by another FYE instructor, FYE Mentor, another staff/faculty member, or by a student. Upon receiving a nomination, the Office of FYP&LC contacts the nominee(s) to inform them and notify them of the supporting documentation needed by the office.

The criteria used to determine the recipient(s) of the First Year Experience Excellence in Teaching Award are as follows:

• Minimum of two semesters teaching First Year Experience classes
• Demonstrates commitment to furthering student growth and development in and out of the classroom
• Tailors their approach to the students in their FYE class to personalize the undergraduate experience
• Cultivates a student-centered classroom through effective and creative facilitation
• Creates an environment that encourages students to cultivate their curiosity by increasing self-awareness and exploring opportunities
• When applicable, collaborates and coaches the FYE Mentor to maximize the FYE students’ experience
• Participates in our community of practice through ongoing professional development and collaboration with other faculty and staff

FYE Instructors can be nominated by another FYE Instructor, the undergraduate FYE Mentor who assisted with his/her class, another faculty/staff member, or by a student. Upon receiving a nomination, the Office of FYP & LC contacts the instructor to inform them of the application process.

The First Year Experience Teaching Innovation Award honors instructors who have implemented outstanding innovative teaching approaches shown to increase student learning and success. “Innovative teaching is defined broadly and may include the use of new instructional technologies, the use of traditional technologies in creative ways, novel approaches to instruction, and new ways to engage students in the learning process.” (Towson University, Academic Innovation Award).

The criteria used to determine the recipient(s) of the FYE Teaching Innovation Award are as follows:

• Taught an FYE class during the current academic year
• Dedicated to teaching effectiveness and support enhanced levels of student engagement and learning
• Demonstrates innovation and creativity in teaching
• Shows a commitment to continuous improving teaching through innovation and reflective practice
• Uses innovative and creative assignments, projects, or lesson plans when working with students
• Employs effective, new, inclusive teaching methods and/or utilizing technology to enhance learning
• Engages students in active learning in and out of the classroom
• Provides a stimulating environment that encourages students to challenge the intellectual and creative status quo and discover new ways to accomplish their goals

FYE Instructors can be nominated by another FYE Instructor, the undergraduate FYE Mentor who assisted with his/her class, another faculty/staff member, or by a student. Upon receiving a nomination, the Office of FYP & LC contacts the instructor to inform them of the application process.

The criteria used to determine the recipient(s) of the First Year Experience Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award are as follows:

• Be enrolled in a graduate program while teaching First Year Experience classes
• Demonstrates commitment to furthering student growth and development in and out of the classroom
  • Tailors their approach to the students in their FYE class to personalize the undergraduate experience
  • Cultivates a student-centered classroom through effective and creative facilitation
  • Creates an environment that encourages students to cultivate their curiosity by increasing self-awareness and exploring opportunities
  • When applicable, collaborates and coaches the FYE Mentor to maximize the FYE students’ experience
  • Participates in our community of practice through ongoing professional development and collaboration with other faculty and staff

FYE Instructors can be nominated by another FYE Instructor, the undergraduate FYE Mentor who assisted with his/her class, another faculty/staff member, or by a student. Upon receiving a nomination, the Office of FYP & LC contacts the instructor to inform them of the application process.

The criteria used to determine the recipient(s) of the One UConn Award are as follows:

• Taught an FYE class during the current academic year at a regional campus
• Dedicated to teaching effectiveness and support enhanced levels of student engagement and learning
• Demonstrates innovation and creativity in teaching
• Shows a commitment to continuous improving teaching through innovation and reflective practice
• Uses innovative and creative assignments, projects, or lesson plans when working with students
• Employs effective, new, inclusive teaching methods and/or utilizing technology to enhance learning
• Engages students in active learning in and out of the classroom
• Provides a stimulating environment that encourages students to challenge the intellectual and creative status quo and discover new ways to accomplish their goals