2025 Dean’s Awards in Excellence Program Guidelines

The Dean’s Awards in Excellence Program stands as a prestigious acknowledgement of exemplary accomplishments within the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), comprised of the tripartite mission, Agriculture, Nutrition and Human Ecology (academics), Cooperative Agricultural Research Center (research), and the PVAMU Extension. The College also consists of areas that provide administrative support and service to the overall mission. This awards program signifies the pinnacle achievements of our faculty, staff, students, and our partners within the CAFNR community and beyond.

Eligibility and Nominations

Faculty/Staff Awards: Any employee within the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at Prairie View A&M University is eligible for nomination if he/she has been employed with CAFNR for at least one (1) year before the date of nomination. Team members with less than one year of service are eligible to participate in a team award. However, at least half of the team members must have at least one year of service as specified. It is strongly encouraged that team nominations do not exceed five members. The Dean’s Awards in Excellence are intended to recognize individuals for current and sustainable productivity over the time frame since the last conference and, therefore, are not intended to serve as a lifetime service award. awards at any time. Previous awards winners can be viewed on our website if you are unsure of the nominee’s eligibility. Nominations for each award must be made on the appropriate nomination forms, submitted electronically, and must be completed in their entirety. Only one nomination per award category may be forwarded from the nominator for consideration. The nominee must be considered in good standing at the time of nomination. Good standing includes: mandated trainings must current, had a meets expectation (3), above expectations (4), or significantly exceeds expectations (5) on the most recent performance evaluation, must not be on a performance improvement plan or has had one in the last year before the date of nomination and/or received a written reprimand in the last year before the date of nomination.

Student Awards: Any employee or student within the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at Prairie View A&M University is eligible for nomination if he/she is enrolled and/or employed with CAFNR for at least 90 days before the date of nomination. Nominees must possess AND provide evidence of the following: be in good academic standing for the period of nomination; be current on all mandated training; have satisfactory performance and/or behavior standing; demonstrate active participation and engagement in relevant activities, support roles, or other relevant endeavors.

Award Process and Selection Advisory Committee

The CAFNR Information, Impact, and Sustainability team is responsible for administering the awards program to include the distribution, publication and receipt of nomination information, guidelines, and forms. An internal review committee of CAFNR employees and/or stakeholders will be appointed by the committee, with approval from the Dean. The internal review committee will serve to guide the selection process and make recommendations, as appropriate, regarding policy and procedures for the nomination/evaluation process. An external selection committee will also review nominations for the awards program, determine appropriate procedures for evaluation, and make recommendations on winners to the Dean. The Dean has the discretion to veto any application for any reason. Members of the committee are eligible for nomination in any award category during their term of service; however, they will be recused from the committee and the vetting process. Committee members are discouraged from submitting nominations or providing letters of support for nominations while serving on the selection advisory committee.

Nomination and Requirements

A COMPLETE NOMINATION includes the following:

  1. Nomination Form (submitted on the Qualtrics form)
  2. Letter of nomination (limited to two pages; self-nominations are acceptable). Self-nominations will be required to submit additional documentation.
  3. Publications List (BePress/Elsevier Pure Link required to be current required for research nominations, optional for all other awards)
  4. Data is received by Internal Review Committee AITC/IISC
  5. Supervisor Approval Required/ Discretional ability to provide comments and supporting documentation (If supervisor approval not granted, nomination stops here) (Qualtrics form)
  6. External Committee Review against a Rubric provided by the internal Reviewing committee and assign points. (Digital Rubric w/ points)
  7. Final Review and Decision by Dean
  1. NOMINATION FORM: Utilize Qualtrics form.. There are different drop-down boxes for each award type: 1). Individual Award Form 2). Team Award Form 3). Partnership Award Form: POW (Plan of Work) critical areas will be on the form allowing nominators to identify how the potential honoree’s work addresses the POW.
  2. LETTER OF NOMINATION: A letter of nomination must be submitted summarizing the contributions of the nominee and impact of the nominee’s contribution(s) as it relates to the criteria for the specific award. This letter should not exceed 250 words (12-point font) and will be uploaded to the Qualtrics form. For partnership awards, include a brief summary of the partner’s activities, accomplishments, and the impact of the partner’s contributions.
  3. PUBLICATIONS LIST: (for Research award submissions only) A list of publications and/or supporting evidence of the publications should be included for all nominations in the research categories. Publications list is limited to one (1) page, 12-point font. List in chronological date order and bold the author/nominee’s name. This is required for research categories only, however, is in encouraged in other applicable categories.

Submission Requirements

Please submit nomination forms to cafnr-td@pvamu.edu. All information should be presented in no smaller than 12-point font size. Name each nomination file as follows: Award category – first and last name of nominee.pdf (Example: Administration – Jane Doe.pdf)

Nomination Deadline

Each nomination should be submitted by 5:00 PM on Monday, June 30th, 2025, to be considered. A complete application should be submitted to be considered. No late applications will be accepted.

Judging Criteria

Employees that do not meet eligibility and/or incomplete and late applications will be immediately removed from consideration.

The scale of 0-5 will be used for each category outlined in the awards. 0 – no evidence displayed; 1 – unsatisfactory, performance consistently falls below expectations, requiring immediate attention and improvement; 2 –Needs improvement, demonstrates areas requiring development or improvement; 3 – Meets expectations, performs satisfactorily in most areas with occasional areas of improvement. 4 – Frequently exceeds expectations, consistently performs at a high level. 5 – Consistently exceeds expectations, demonstrates exceptional performance and impact. Scores of each award committee member will be totaled to an overall score. Nominees with the highest overall score will be selected as the finalist for that category.

Tiebreaker criteria: Additional feedback will be sent to the employees’ supervisor regarding overall performance. This information will be used to rescale the scores to conduct recalculation on the overall score.

Finalists are to be sent to Dean for review. The Dean reserves the right to veto any application and/or adjust criteria for inclusion for any reason at any time

Presentation of Awards

Individual recipients of a Dean’s Award in Excellence shall receive a physical award.

ARE Award category overview

Award Title Award Summary
Excellence in Research AwardThis accolade acknowledges the invaluable contributions of employees who play a pivotal role in advancing research endeavors. From facilitating grant management to ensuring smooth laboratory operations, recipients of this award exemplify excellence in supporting faculty and researchers in their pursuit of knowledge, innovation, and discovery.
Excellence in Academics Award This award recognizes employees who go above and beyond in providing exceptional support and assistance within academic environments. These individuals demonstrate a deep commitment to facilitating the success of faculty, students, and researchers across various educational settings, including academic programs, libraries, laboratories, and other scholarly domains.
Excellence in Extension AwardThis honor celebrates employees who actively engage with local communities and stakeholders, embodying a commitment to outreach and impact. Through fostering positive relationships and partnerships, recipients of this award contribute significantly to the institution's mission by extending its resources, expertise, and influence beyond campus borders.
Excellence in Leadership AwardThis award recognizes employees who exhibit outstanding leadership potential and a proactive approach to professional development. Through their dedication to enhancing leadership skills and contributing to the institution's future success, recipients inspire and empower others while fostering a culture of excellence and growth.
Excellence in Administration, Support and Service Award This accolade honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional proficiency and dedication in administrative and support roles. Their unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding customer service and executing vital functions within their respective administrative units significantly contributes to the institution's overall effectiveness and mission fulfillment.
Excellence in Team Collaboration AwardThis award celebrates employees who excel in fostering collaboration and synergy across departments or disciplines. By promoting teamwork and effective communication, recipients of this award play a key role in achieving shared goals and objectives, thereby enhancing the institution's collective impact and success.
Excellence in Student Teaching, Research, Extension, Support AwardThis recognition highlights students or student employees who provide invaluable support to faculty, researchers, and staff in academic, teaching, and research roles. Their dedication and contributions play a crucial role in advancing the institution's mission by enhancing the quality of education, research, and outreach efforts.
Excellence in Partnership This prestigious award honors individuals and teams whose collaborative efforts exemplify a commitment to advancing the mission of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at Prairie View A&M University. Recognizing the vital role of partnerships in serving Texans and beyond, this accolade celebrates innovative initiatives that harness collective expertise and resources to address critical challenges in our areas of mission.

Background and Purpose: The Dean’s Excellence in Academics Award is a distinguished honor designed to acknowledge and celebrate faculty employees who exemplify outstanding support and assistance within academic environments. This award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to enhance the academic experience for faculty, students, and researchers across various educational settings, including academic programs, libraries, laboratories, and other key areas. One (1) individual award may be presented for the Dean’s Excellence in Academics Award.

Criteria for Award:

Exceptional Support and Assistance: The recipient should demonstrate a consistent commitment to providing exceptional support and assistance to faculty, students, and researchers. This may include mentoring students, offering guidance to faculty members, providing resources and tools for research and teaching, and facilitating access to academic resources and services.

Advancement of Academic Mission: The candidate should actively contribute to advancing the overall academic mission of the institution towards excellence. This may involve participating in curriculum development, designing innovative teaching methods, fostering a culture of academic excellence, and promoting scholarly activities and research initiatives.

Impact on Faculty, Students and Researchers: The recipient’s contributions should have a tangible and positive impact on faculty, students, and researchers within the academic community. This may be demonstrated through testimonials, feedback, or evidence of improved academic outcomes, student success, and research productivity.

Innovation and Creativity: The candidate should demonstrate innovation and creativity in their approach to supporting academic programs and initiatives. This may include implementing new strategies or technologies to enhance teaching and learning, developing innovative solutions to academic challenges, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement.

Collaboration and Teamwork: The recipient should collaborate effectively with colleagues across departments and disciplines to promote a collaborative and inclusive academic environment. This may involve participating in cross-functional teams, sharing resources and expertise, and fostering partnerships to achieve shared academic goals.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement: The candidate should demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and professional development in their role within academia. This may include pursuing additional training or certifications, staying updated on current trends and best practices in education and research, and actively seeking feedback to enhance their performance.

Background and Purpose: The Dean’s Excellence in Research Award will recognize a distinguished researcher who has demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in externally funded research activities, provide invaluable support and assistance to fellow faculty, researchers, and students, and exhibited a steadfast commitment to elevating the overall research mission of CAFNR. One (1) individual award may be presented for the Dean’s Excellence in Research Award.

Criteria for Award:

Research Quality and Impact: Candidates should have a track record of producing high-quality research that contributes significantly to their field of study. This includes publications in reputable journals, presentations at prestigious conferences, and other indicators of scholarly impact such as citations and awards.

Innovation and Creativity: The recipient should demonstrate innovation and creativity in their research approach and methodology. This may include developing novel theories, methods, or techniques, as well as applying existing knowledge in new and innovative ways to address research questions or solve practical problems.

Contribution to Knowledge: The candidate’s research should make a meaningful contribution to advancing knowledge and understanding in their discipline. This may involve filling gaps in existing literature, challenging prevailing theories or assumptions, or generating new insights and discoveries that have the potential to influence practice or policy.

Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Works: While individual achievement is important, collaboration and interdisciplinary work are also valued. Candidates who have successfully collaborated with colleagues from other disciplines or institutions to address complex research questions or tackle interdisciplinary challenges should be recognized.

External Funding and Grantsmanship: Receipt of external funding and grants is an indication of the quality and significance of the candidate’s research. Candidates who have successfully secured competitive grants and funding to support their research activities should be given special consideration.

Research Leadership and Mentorship: The recipient should demonstrate leadership in research, including the ability to lead research teams, mentor junior researchers, and foster a culture of excellence and innovation within their research group or department.

Ethical Conduct and Integrity: Ethical conduct and integrity are paramount in research. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to upholding ethical standards and practices in all aspects of their research, including the treatment of human subjects, animal welfare, data management, and publication ethics.

Impact on Society/Community: Lastly, the candidate’s research should have a tangible impact on society or the community. This may include contributions to public policy, advancements in technology or medicine, improvements in quality of life, or other forms of societal benefit resulting from their research.

Background and Purpose: The Dean’s Excellence in Extension Award recognizes an individual that has made significant efforts and impact in their respective role to reach audiences through diverse program delivery, actively engage with local communities and stakeholders, foster positive relationships and partnerships that contribute positively towards the overall mission of outreach. One (1) individual award may be presented for the Dean’s Excellence in Extension Award.

Criteria for Award:

Program Innovation and Creativity: Demonstrated development and implementation of innovative extension programs, initiatives, or interventions that effectively address the needs and priorities of target audiences; Creativity in designing and delivering educational materials, workshops, trainings, demonstrations, or events that engage and resonate with diverse stakeholders.

Community Engagement and Partnership Building: Active engagement with local communities, stakeholders, and target audiences to build meaningful relationships and partnerships; Collaboration with community organizations, government agencies, industry partners, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to leverage resources, expertise, and support for extension activities.

Impact and Effectiveness: Evidence of significant impact and effectiveness in achieving extension goals and objectives; Demonstrated outcomes and success stories that illustrate the tangible benefits and positive changes resulting from extension efforts; Use of evaluation and assessment methods to measure the effectiveness and impact of extension programs and initiatives.

 

Market Segmentation: Recognition and respect for all backgrounds, perspectives, and needs within communities; Implementation of extension programs and activities that are inclusive, and responsive to the needs and wants of our audiences.

Sustainability and Long-Term Engagement: Strategies for promoting sustainability and long-term engagement with target communities beyond the duration of individual programs or initiatives; plans for building capacity, empowering local leaders, and fostering community ownership and resilience to ensure lasting impact and positive change.

Leadership and Collaboration: Leadership in advancing extension and outreach efforts within the institution and broader community; Collaboration with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to leverage collective expertise, resources, and networks in support of extension and outreach goals.

Communication and Dissemination: Effective communication and dissemination of extension information, resources, and outcomes to target audiences and stakeholders; Utilization of various communication channels, platforms, and technologies to reach and engage diverse audiences effectively.

 

Adaptability and Response to Emerging Needs: Ability to adapt to changing circumstances, emerging needs, and evolving challenges within target communities; Flexibility in adjusting extension strategies, approaches, and priorities to effectively address emerging issues and opportunities.

Background and Purpose: The Dean’s Excellence in Administration, Support and Service Award recognizes an individual who has exhibited exceptional skills, dedication, and contributions in administrative and support roles within the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). This award celebrates individuals who play a vital role in supporting the mission and operations of CAFNR, and whose dedication and contributions make a significant impact on the success and effectiveness of the College. One (1) individual award may be presented for the Dean’s Excellence in Administration, Support and Service Award.

Criteria for Award:

Exceptional Performance and Achievement: Consistent demonstration of exceptional performance and achievement in conducting administrative and support responsibilities within CAFNR; Exceeding expectations in fulfilling job duties and responsibilities and consistently going above and beyond in service to the college and its stakeholders.

Customer Service and Stakeholder Satisfaction: Demonstrated commitment to providing outstanding customer service to internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, visitors, and other partners; Positive feedback and testimonials from stakeholders attesting to the nominee’s professionalism, responsiveness, and effectiveness in meeting their needs and expectations.

Innovative Solutions and Process Improvement: Implementation of innovative solutions and process improvements that enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and quality in administrative and support services; Contribution to the development and implementation of new initiatives, procedures, or systems that streamline operations, reduce costs, or improve service delivery within CAFNR.

Leadership and Collaboration: Demonstrated leadership qualities in guiding and supporting colleagues, teams, or projects within the administrative and support functions of CAFNR; Collaboration with colleagues across departments, units, or functions to achieve common goals, address challenges, and foster a culture of teamwork and cooperation.

Professional Development and Continuous Learning: Commitment to professional development and continuous learning to enhance skills, knowledge, and competencies relevant to administrative and support roles; Participation in training, workshops, seminars, or other professional development activities that contribute to personal growth and advancement within the field.

Adaptability and Resilience: Ability to adapt to changing circumstances, priorities, and demands within the administrative and support environment of CAFNR; Resilience in overcoming challenges, setbacks, or obstacles and maintaining a positive attitude and initiative-taking approach in addressing them.

Ethical Conduct and Integrity: Adherence to high ethical standards and integrity in all aspects of administrative and support activities; Trustworthiness, honesty, and reliability in handling confidential information, making decisions, and interacting with stakeholders with professionalism and respect.

 

Contribution to Mission and Goals: Contribution to the overall mission, goals, and strategic objectives of CAFNR through exemplary performance and dedication in administrative and support roles; alignment of individual efforts and contributions with the broader mission and priorities of the college, and demonstration of a commitment to advancing its success and reputation.

Background and Purpose: The Dean’s Excellence in Leadership Award recognizes an individual in a supervisory role that exhibits outstanding leadership potential and an initiative-taking approach to professional development. Through their dedication to enhancing leadership skills and contributing to the institution’s future success, recipients inspire and empower others while fostering a culture of excellence and growth. One (1) award may be presented for the Dean’s Excellence in Team Collaboration Award.

Criteria for Award:

Visionary Leadership: The recipient should demonstrate a clear vision for the organization’s future and inspire others to share that vision. They exhibit strategic thinking, innovation, and the ability to anticipate and navigate challenges and opportunities.

 

Effective Communication: Effective leaders possess effective communication skills, both in articulating their vision and in listening to and understanding the perspectives of others. They foster open dialogue, encourage collaboration, and ensure that information flows freely throughout the organization.

 

Empowerment and Development: The recipient empowers their team members by providing opportunities for growth, fostering a culture of learning and development, and recognizing and leveraging individual strengths. They mentor and coach others, fostering talent and leadership potential within the organization.

 

Accountability and Integrity: Leaders uphold high ethical standards and demonstrate integrity in their actions and decision-making. They take responsibility for their own actions and hold others accountable for theirs, fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and accountability.

Background and Purpose: The Dean’s Excellence in Leadership Award recognizes an individual in a supervisory role that exhibits outstanding leadership potential and an initiative-taking approach to professional development. Through their dedication to enhancing leadership skills and contributing to the institution’s future success, recipients inspire and empower others while fostering a culture of excellence and growth. One (1) award may be presented for the Dean’s Excellence in Team Collaboration Award.

Criteria for Award:

Visionary Leadership: The recipient should demonstrate a clear vision for the organization’s future and inspire others to share that vision. They exhibit strategic thinking, innovation, and the ability to anticipate and navigate challenges and opportunities.

 

Effective Communication: Effective leaders possess effective communication skills, both in articulating their vision and in listening to and understanding the perspectives of others. They foster open dialogue, encourage collaboration, and ensure that information flows freely throughout the organization.

 

Empowerment and Development: The recipient empowers their team members by providing opportunities for growth, fostering a culture of learning and development, and recognizing and leveraging individual strengths. They mentor and coach others, fostering talent and leadership potential within the organization.

 

Accountability and Integrity: Leaders uphold high ethical standards and demonstrate integrity in their actions and decision-making. They take responsibility for their own actions and hold others accountable for theirs, fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and accountability.

Inspiring and Motivating: Effective leaders inspire and motivate others to achieve their full potential. They lead by example, embodying the values and principles of the organization, and recognize and celebrate the achievements of their team members.

 

Adaptability and Resilience: In a dynamic and ever-changing environment, leaders must demonstrate adaptability and resilience. They are agile in responding to change, able to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity, and remain resilient in the face of challenges.

 

Impact and Results: Ultimately, the recipient of this award should have a demonstrable impact on the organization’s success. They achieve results that align with the organization’s goals and objectives, driving performance, growth, and positive outcomes.

 Adaptability and Resilience: In a dynamic and ever-changing environment, leaders must demonstrate adaptability and resilience. They are agile in responding to change, able to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity, and remain resilient in the face of challenges.

 

Impact and Results: Ultimately, the recipient of this award should have a demonstrable impact on the organization’s success. They achieve results that align with the organization’s goals and objectives, driving performance, growth, and positive outcomes.

Background and Purpose: The Dean’s Excellence in Student Teaching, Research, Extension, and/or Support Award aims to recognize outstanding contributions and dedication by students or student employees in academic, research, extension, and support roles within the CAFNR. One (1) individual award may be presented for the Dean’s Excellence in Student Teaching, Research, Extension, and/or Support Award.

Criteria for Award:

Academic Excellence and Achievement: Demonstrated academic excellence and achievement in coursework, projects, or other academic endeavors relevant to CAFNR’s disciplines; High academic performance, as evidenced by grades, honors, awards, or other recognition received during their academic career.

Teaching Excellence (if applicable): Effective teaching skills and practices demonstrated through engagement in student teaching, tutoring, mentoring, or other educational activities; Positive feedback and testimonials from students, peers, or faculty regarding the nominee’s teaching effectiveness and impact on student learning and development.

Research Contributions (if applicable): Meaningful contributions to research projects, studies, or investigations within CAFNR’s research areas or disciplines; Involvement in research activities such as literature reviews, data collection and analysis, experimental design, or manuscript preparation.

Extension and Outreach Engagement (if applicable): Active participation in extension and outreach activities aimed at disseminating knowledge, engaging with communities, and addressing real-world challenges; Involvement in extension programs, workshops, demonstrations, or other outreach initiatives that promote agricultural, environmental, or community development.

Support Services and Contributions (if applicable): Exceptional skills and contributions in administrative, technical, or support roles that facilitate the mission and operations of CAFNR; Dedication, reliability, and professionalism in carrying out support duties, tasks, or responsibilities that contribute to the success and effectiveness of CAFNR’s programs and initiatives.

 

Leadership and Initiatives: Demonstrated leadership qualities, initiative, and proactive engagement in academic, teaching, research, extension, or support activities; Engagement in leadership roles, projects, or initiatives that demonstrate the nominee’s ability to inspire and motivate others and make a positive impact within CAFNR.

Professionalism and Collaboration: Professional conduct, integrity, and ethical behavior demonstrated in interactions with peers, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders; Collaboration and teamwork skills exhibited through effective communication, cooperation, and coordination with others in achieving common goals and objectives.

Contribution to CAFNR’s Mission and Values: Alignment of the nominee’s contributions and achievements with the mission, values, and priorities of CAFNR; Demonstration of a commitment to excellence, innovation, sustainability, diversity, and service in advancing the goals and aspirations of CAFNR.

Background and Purpose: The Dean’s Excellence in Team Collaboration Award is designed to recognize individuals or teams for their efforts in extending and excelling in collaborating with colleagues across departments or disciplines, fostering teamwork, communication, and synergy to achieve shared goals and objectives, and advancing the overall mission of CAFNR. Up to five (5) awards may be presented for the Dean’s Excellence in Team Collaboration Award.

Criteria for Award:

Cross-Functional Collaboration: The team demonstrates collaboration across diverse departments, units, or disciplines within CAFNR to address complex challenges or opportunities; Members from divergent backgrounds, expertise areas, and perspectives actively contribute to the team’s efforts, fostering a culture of inclusivity.

Shared Vision and Goals: The team shares a common vision and goals that are aligned with the mission and priorities of CAFNR; Clear and well-defined objectives are established collaboratively, ensuring all team members are working towards a common purpose.

Effective Communication and Coordination: The team communicates effectively and collaborates efficiently to coordinate activities, share information, and make decisions; Regular meetings, discussions, and feedback mechanisms are utilized to facilitate communication and ensure all team members are informed and engaged.

Mutual Support and Respect: The team demonstrates mutual support, respect, and trust among members, valuing each other’s contributions and perspectives; Constructive feedback is provided in a respectful manner, and conflicts or disagreements are addressed openly and constructively to foster a positive team environment.

Innovative Problem-Solving: The team demonstrates creativity and innovation in problem-solving, exploring new ideas, approaches, or solutions to address challenges or capitalize on opportunities; Members are encouraged to think creatively, challenge assumptions, and take calculated risks to achieve breakthrough results.

 

Achievement of Shared Goals: The team successfully achieves its shared goals and objectives, delivering tangible outcomes or results that contribute to the advancement of CAFNR’s mission and priorities; performance metrics or indicators are used to measure the team’s success, and achievements are celebrated and recognized within the college.

Impact and Benefits: The team’s collaboration results in a measurable impact and benefits CAFNR, its stakeholders, or the broader community; The team’s efforts lead to improvements in efficiency, effectiveness, quality, or innovation, enhancing the college’s reputation and success.

Sustainability and Continuous Improvement: The team demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement, seeking opportunities to build on its success and further enhance collaboration in the future; Lessons learned are captured, and best practices are shared to inform future collaboration efforts and promote ongoing learning and development.

Background and Purpose: The Dean’s Excellence in Partnership Award is designed to recognize individuals and/or teams that develop and participate in partnership efforts that advance the mission of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at Prairie View A&M University to serve Texans and the world. Individuals who are not employees of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources who actively contribute to partnership endeavors are eligible for this award. By fostering meaningful collaborations, awardees demonstrate a profound dedication to leveraging knowledge, skills, and networks to drive positive impact and promote sustainable solutions. Whether through interdisciplinary projects, community engagement initiatives, or industry collaborations, recipients of this award embody the spirit of cooperation and collective action, advancing the institution’s commitment to serving diverse stakeholders and enriching communities locally and globally. One (1) award may be presented for the Dean’s Excellence in Partnership Award.

Criteria for Award:

Strategic Alignment: The partnership aligns with the strategic goals, mission, and priorities of CAFNR, contributing to the advancement of its overall mission and objectives; Clear connections are established between the partnership activities and the strategic direction of the college, ensuring mutual benefit and relevance.

Collaborative Engagement: The partnership involves active collaboration and engagement with external entities, including industry partners, governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, community groups, and other stakeholders; Both parties contribute resources, expertise, and support to achieve common goals and objectives, fostering a spirit of reciprocity and mutual benefit.

Impact and Outcomes: The partnership results in tangible outcomes, benefits, or impacts that positively affect CAFNR, its stakeholders, or the broader community; Measurable results are achieved, such as increased research collaborations, enhanced educational opportunities, improved outreach initiatives, or positive economic or social impacts.

Innovation and Creativity: The partnership demonstrates innovation and creativity in its approach, bringing together diverse perspectives, expertise, and resources to address complex challenges or opportunities; creative solutions or approaches are developed to leverage the strengths and assets of both parties, resulting in novel or unique outcomes.

Relationship Building and Networking: The partnership contributes to building and strengthening relationships and networks with external entities, fostering trust, goodwill, and long-term collaboration; Opportunities for networking, information sharing, and relationship building are actively pursued and leveraged to expand the reach and impact of the partnership.

Sustainability and Scalability: The partnership is designed for long-term sustainability and scalability, with mechanisms in place to ensure ongoing collaboration, communication, and support; Efforts are made to identify and address potential challenges or barriers to sustainability, such as funding, governance, or resource constraints.

Community Engagement and Impact: The partnership engages with and benefits local communities, stakeholders, or target audiences, addressing their needs, priorities, and aspirations; Positive impacts on community well-being, economic development, environmental sustainability, or social equity are achieved through the partnership activities.

Recognition and Visibility: The partnership enhances the visibility and reputation of CAFNR, its partners, and the broader community through positive recognition and publicity; Efforts are made to showcase the achievements and impacts of the partnership through various communication channels, such as media coverage, publications, presentations, or events.

Award Forms

2025 Nomination Form

Each nomination should be submitted by 5:00 PM on Monday, June 30th, 2025, to be considered. A complete application should be submitted to be considered. No late applications will be accepted.

Past Award Recipients