Annual School of Public Health Awards
Each year, the School of Public Health recognizes members of its community whose work exemplifies excellence in research, teaching, mentorship, service, and engagement. These annual awards reflect the school’s core commitments to rigorous scholarship, outstanding education, effective practice, and meaningful impact beyond the university.
Awards are in five categories as follows.
1. Lifetime Excellence Awards
These awards recognize sustained, career-long contributions that have shaped the school and the field of public health.
Faculty Research Excellence Award
Honors a primary faculty member whose lifetime body of research has advanced scientific understanding and contributed meaningfully to the improvement of population health. Recognition reflects scholarly impact, intellectual leadership, and sustained contributions to the field. Nominations accepted from faculty and staff.
Faculty Teaching Excellence Award
Recognizes a primary faculty member whose career demonstrates enduring commitment to high-quality education and student learning. Emphasis is placed on pedagogical excellence, curricular leadership, and influence on generations of students. Nominations accepted from faculty and staff.
Staff Excellence Award
Honors a staff member whose long-term service, professionalism, and leadership have made a lasting contribution to the school’s mission. This award recognizes sustained excellence, institutional impact, and dedication over time. Nominations accepted from faculty and staff.
2. Teaching and Mentorship Awards
These awards recognize faculty excellence in education and mentorship during the past year, and staff commitment to teaching, reflecting the school’s commitment to developing future public health leaders.
Classroom Teaching Award
Honors a primary or secondary faculty member for exceptional effectiveness and innovation in formal instruction. Consideration is given to clarity, engagement, rigor, and the ability to foster critical thinking and learning. Nominations accepted from students.
Practicum Mentoring Award
Recognizes outstanding primary or secondary faculty mentorship of students in practicum or applied learning settings. Emphasis is placed on guidance, support, and the integration of theory with real-world public health practice. Nominations accepted from students.
General Mentoring Award
Honors sustained, high-quality faculty mentorship by a primary or secondary faculty member of students beyond the classroom. This award recognizes commitment to advising, professional development, and student growth. Nominations accepted from students.
Staff Contribution to Educational Program
Recognizes a staff member whose work has made an exceptional contribution to the design, delivery, or support of the school’s educational programs. Emphasis is placed on sustained impact, collaboration with faculty and students, and efforts that enhance the quality of the learning environment. Nominations accepted by faculty, staff, and students.
3. Staff Achievement Awards
These awards recognize outstanding contributions by staff members over the past year and their essential role in advancing the school’s work.
Research Staff Award
Honors excellence in supporting, managing, or conducting research. Recognition reflects technical expertise, collaboration, and contributions that strengthen the school’s research enterprise. Nominations accepted from faculty and staff.
Administrative Staff Award
Recognizes exceptional administrative leadership, service, and operational impact. Emphasis is placed on effectiveness, initiative, and contributions to the functioning of the school. Nominations accepted from faculty and staff.
4. Community-engagement and Partnership Awards
These awards recognize individuals whose work strengthens the school’s partnerships and impact across and beyond the university.
Faculty Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scholarship Award
Recognizes a secondary faculty member whose career demonstrates lifetime commitment to partnership across disciplines, schools, and sectors. Nominations accepted from faculty and staff.
Staff Excellence in Collaboration Award
Recognizes a staff member from outside the School of Public Health who has fostered collaboration and partnership that have advanced the mission and vision of the school. Nominations accepted from faculty and staff.
Community Practicum Supervisor Awards
Honors a community partner who has provided exceptional supervision, mentorship, and learning opportunities to students during practicum experiences. Recognition reflects commitment to student development and public health practice. Nominations accepted from students.
Community Engagement Award
Recognizes a primary or secondary faculty or staff member whose work has made a significant contribution to community health, partnership, or service. Emphasis is placed on sustained engagement and meaningful impact. Nominations accepted from community partners, faculty, and staff.
5. Student Awards
These awards recognize outstanding achievement by students and reflect the school’s commitment to academic excellence and applied public health training.
Delta Omega Membership
Recognizes students inducted into the national public health honor society in acknowledgment of academic excellence and leadership. Nominations accepted from faculty and staff.
Academic Excellence Awards
Honors one master’s and one doctoral student with outstanding overall academic performance. Consideration is given to scholarly achievement, research engagement, and intellectual rigor of the work.
Student Service Award
A student leadership award that recognizes academic excellence and extraordinary service to the SPH, WashU, the community, and the profession.
Practicum Excellence Award
Recognizes exceptional work, initiative, and impact in a practicum setting. Emphasis is placed on applied learning and contribution to practice. Nominations accepted from practicum supervisors and Office of Student Applied Practice faculty and staff.
Nominations
Nominations for all awards should include a summary of the nominee’s qualifications and contributions, and should be submitted via this form by March 1, 2026. Self-nominations are not accepted. A committee will review all nominations, and awardees will be notified by April 1, 2026. An awards ceremony honoring faculty, staff, student, and community-partner awardees shall be held annually in conjunction with our Commencement. This year, the awards ceremony shall be held May 13.