Teaching, Mentoring and Service Awards
Each spring, the School of Arts and Sciences recognizes outstanding faculty members for their work both inside and outside the classroom.
The awards below are just one of the many ways we celebrate our faculty. Award recipients are honored at the April faculty meeting.
The 2024-25 deadline for nominations or applications has passed.
The Louis Dembitz Brandeis Prize for Excellence in Teaching honors an individual for their outstanding teaching. The award includes a $2,500 cash prize.
The recipient is selected by the Dean of Arts and Sciences upon the recommendation of a committee consisting of three faculty, including previous Teaching Prize recipients, in consultation with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Decisions are based on nomination letters, teaching evaluations, Faculty Activity Reports and CVs.
Faculty, staff, students, and alumni are invited to submit nominations.
The Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer '69 and Joseph Neubauer Prize for Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring honors an individual — typically a tenure, full-time faculty member — who is involved in the cocurricular and extracurricular life of the campus and, more importantly, has had a significant impact on students' lives as an exceptional teacher, mentor, adviser and friend. The award includes a $5,000 cash prize.
The recipient is selected by the Dean of Arts and Sciences upon the recommendation of a committee that includes two students appointed by the Student Union and two previous Lerman-Neubauer recipients in consultation with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Decisions are based on nomination letters, teaching evaluations, Faculty Activity Reports and CVs.
Faculty, staff, students, and alumni are invited to submit nominations.
The Professor Mark A. Ratner Distinguished Teaching Awards were created by Brandeis Trustee and alumnus Ronald Ratner ’69, along with his wife, Deborah Ratner. The inspiration for this gift stems from the couple's admiration for the liberal arts education Mr. Ratner received at his alma mater and in recognition of Mr. Ratner's parents' deep affection for the university.
The Professor Mark A. Ratner Distinguished Teaching Awards recognize tenured faculty in the Divisions of Creative Arts and Humanities who demonstrate innovative teaching and extraordinary records of engaging, motivating, and inspiring students and making a difference in their students’ educations, lives, and careers.
Each Award winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize, a $15,000 teaching enhancement fund to foster innovative teaching methods and strengthen collaboration with students, as well as $5,000 to support the faculty member’s research or creative activity. Two awards will be made each year. See application details.
The recipient is selected by the Dean of Arts and Sciences upon the recommendation of a committee consisting of three faculty, including previous Teaching Prize recipients, in consultation with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Decisions are based on nomination letters, teaching evaluations, Faculty Activity Reports and CVs.
Faculty, staff, students, and alumni are invited to submit nominations.
The School of Arts and Sciences Faculty Service Award recognizes outstanding service contributions to departments, programs and the University by members of the School of Arts & Sciences faculty. An awardee is chosen annually to recognize and celebrate exceptional uncompensated service that has benefited the University. The award includes a cash prize of $2,500.
All tenure-line and renewable contract faculty in the Divisions of Creative Arts, Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences are eligible to be nominated for the School of Arts & Sciences Faculty Service Award. Please detail specific accomplishments and briefly describe how recent contributions have had a positive impact on the University. Nominees should possess a substantial and continuing record of University service.
Any member of the School of Arts & Sciences faculty or staff may submit a nomination for the Award.
This is an annual award of $2,500 to recognize a faculty member's outstanding ability as a mentor.
Outstanding mentorship can include the following:
- Inspiring excellent academic performance and research
- Leading an effective environment for research and scholarship
- Mentoring graduate students in the acquisition of skills in research, teaching, presenting, writing and the preparation of grant and fellowship applications
- Sponsoring students in the academic and professional community
- Supporting students' academic and personal needs
- Providing career guidance and help students find professionally relevant employment
Nominators must be currently enrolled Brandeis GSAS students or GSAS alumni who are direct beneficiaries of the mentoring skills of the candidate whom they nominate.