Faculty Awards, Honors & Recognitions

2026 Excellence in Truth & Service Awards

The Office of the Provost and the Office of Human Resources 

January 8, 2026

Dear Howard University Community, 
The nominations are still open for the 2026 Excellence in Truth and Service Awards! Now in our second year, this celebration honors faculty, staff, and departments who exemplify the values and behaviors that make our campus an exceptional place to learn, work, and grow.

This year, we’re taking an important step forward by aligning the Excellence in Truth and Service Awards with our new cultural framework. As our campus community continues to evolve, these awards will reflect the values and priorities that are shaping our future together. More information about the framework can be found on Howard's Culture Hub. 

Faculty Awards 

  • Faculty Scholars Awards – Honors HU faculty who published scholarly works — books, articles, creative pieces, or performances — during the 2024-2025 academic year. Confirmation of a published or exhibited creative work will be through Faculty Success only.
  • Distinguished Teaching Award – Celebrates full-time HU faculty who demonstrate exceptional excellence, innovation, and impact in teaching.
  • Adjunct Lecturer Excellence in Teaching Award – Recognizes part-time faculty who exemplify subject mastery and outstanding teaching aligned with HU’s academic mission.
  • Colleagues Mentoring Colleagues Award – Acknowledges faculty who serve as exemplary mentors, fostering growth and opportunity across the University.
  • Bison Way Distinguished Service Award – Commends faculty whose exceptional service and dedication go above and beyond their regular responsibilities.
  • Bison Way Excellence in Service Award – Honors individuals, programs, or offices that consistently deliver outstanding service and elevate the HU experience.
  • Academic Leadership Award – Recognizes academic leaders for exceptional contributions, performance, and commitment to advancing HU’s mission.
  • Dr. Anthony K. Wutoh Exemplar Award – Celebrates faculty who embody the Bison Way through excellence in leadership, service, scholarship, and community impact.
  • Bison Way Community Engagement Award – Highlights HU faculty whose meaningful contributions uplift local communities and reflect positively on the University.

Staff Awards

  • BISON Way – Bravery – For staff demonstrating courage, bold problem-solving, and integrity in adversity.
  • BISON Way – Inclusiveness & Growth – For staff fostering inclusive environments and championing learning and development.
  • BISON Way – Service Excellence – For staff consistently delivering exceptional service and embodying the University’s mission.
  • BISON Way – Ownership – For staff showing initiative, accountability, and commitment to improving processes.
  • BISON Way – Innovation & Novelty – For staff who introduce creative solutions or new approaches that enhance University operations.
  • Lifetime Achievement Award – For a staff member whose long-standing service, leadership, and contributions have left a lasting legacy.

Note: For each BISON Way staff award, there will be a minimum of two recipients: one manager and one individual contributor, ensuring broad recognition across roles.
 Departmental Recognition Award

  • Departmental Recognition Award – Honors departments or teams that has demonstrated outstanding collaboration, innovation, and impact on campus life. This award celebrates collective achievements that advance the University’s mission and foster a positive, inclusive environment.

Nomination Process

Celebrating All Nominees
This year, we are committed to celebrating every nominee, not just the winners. All nominees will be recognized for their contributions to our University community, and we will find meaningful ways to honor their impact after the awards celebration. 

2025 Staff Award Winners
To inspire your nominations and celebrate our ongoing tradition of excellence, we invite you to view last year’s staff award winners and their stories. View the 2025 Staff Excellence Award winners.

Contact Information
For questions about the awards, nomination process, or event details, please contact the Organizational Effectiveness and Learning team at learning@howard.edu. 

Thank you for helping us celebrate excellence and our evolving campus culture. We look forward to your nominations and to seeing you at the ceremony!
 
In Truth and Service,

Office of the Provost
Office of Human Resources