General Education Teaching Awards
General Education Teaching Awards
The General Education Teaching Award recognizes excellent and innovative instruction that significantly contributes to the U's mission to provide undergraduate students with outstanding educational experiences in General Education (GE). Nominees for the award will demonstrate meaningful contributions to the GE Program at the University of Utah by providing students opportunities in the GE Curriculum through the GE Program Learning Outcomes (GELOs) to learn to Collaborate Effectively, Persist in Addressing Complex Problems, Reason and Act Ethically, Respond Creatively, and Actualize and Contribute.
Instructors being nominated for the award should have at least three years of experience teaching GE courses, which includes those carrying GE Core designations (AI, QL, WR1, WR2) and GE Breadth Area designations (FF, HF, LS, PS, BF). The award is open to all instructors (e.g., adjunct, graduate student instructors, career-line faculty, etc.) who meet the award criteria.
The nomination period for 2025 - 2026 is open until February 17, 2026. Self-nominations are welcomed, please send nominations to Lindsay Massman (lindsay.massman@utah.edu).
Criteria
Nominees for the award will be evaluated based on the content of their courses, the methods they employ to engage students, and their commitment to improving GE pedagogy. To encourage innovation, special emphasis will be given to new, original, or forward-thinking teaching methods. Examples of such methods include but are not limited to the following:
- Instructional pracitices that connect coursework to life experiences, interests, passions, aspirations, and/or community-engaged learning to bridge the classroom and the community.
- Activities and assignments that promote life-long learning.
- Implementation of methods that engage students in discussion and inquiry.
- Creation and implementation of a cooperative and collaborative learning environment.
- Development of pedagogy, assignments, and practices that effectively address their chosen GELO.
Nomination and Application Requirements
Please submit an electronic letter of nomination to the Office of General Education, attn. Lindsay Massman (lindsay.massman@utah.edu) on or before February 17, 2026. Nominees will be notified of their nomination by February 20, 2026. We welcome self-nominations.
Nominees should submit completed application packets no later than March 6, 2026, which will include the following (all to be submitted electronically):
- A one-to-two page statement addressing qualifications for the award as outlined above. A statement of teaching philosophy is welcome but not required.
- Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., peer evaluations, student feedback, teaching evaluations).
- Syllabi from GE course(s) as well as evidence of assignments and activities that specifically address the GELO, the development of GE pedagogy, and the pertinent instructional practices listed above.
- A current CV (that need not be customized for the application, but items that support the nomination may be highlighted).
Award Prize
There are two awards of $3,000 available each year to be decided by the General Education Curriculum Committee. The award can be processed through payroll or to a departmental account for University purposes.
Nominations for the 2025 - 2026 Awards are open until February 17, 2026. Nominees will be notified by February 20, 2026. For questions please contact Lindsay Massman (lindsay.massman@utah.edu)
2024 General Education Teaching Awardee
Elizabeth Dewitte
Since joining the University of Utah in 1998, Professor Elizabeth Dewitte has exemplified the transformative power of General Education. Her signature course, The Language of Color, goes beyond color theory to explore how color shapes cultural identities, social structures, and personal experiences. She is known for fostering open, respectful dialogue—even in online classes—creating spaces where students feel heard, connected, and inspired. Her students praise her ability to bring complex ideas to life, while colleagues admire her dedication to curriculum development, mentorship, and innovative teaching. Through her passion and commitment, Professor Dewitte has made a lasting impact on students, faculty, and the broader university community. Congratulations to Professor Dewitte, a true model of excellence in General Education.