About the Award

The Janet Pottie Murray Award for Leadership acknowledges those individuals who exemplify such excellence and those who contribute more generally to the improvement of the quality of university teaching at the University of Prince Edward Island.

The award is named for Janet Pottie Murray and was created by her daughter, Dr. Shannon Murray. In her daughter’s words this award is “in recognition of her model of leadership in learning despite the fact that she has never taught; but leaders support, encourage and direct others, and that’s what she has done. Those whom she has supported have been fortunate to be publicly recognized for their work; but the best leaders, and the best teachers, are not always those who are most visible.”

This award is to recognize outstanding leaders in education on campus: not leaders in research or in university administration, but those who demonstrate a consistent commitment to the improvement of university teaching with particular emphasis on contributions beyond the nominee’s discipline or profession.

Nominees for the award will have provided leadership among faculty colleagues in developing activities that help create an environment in which teaching excellence is fostered and appreciated. For example, he/she might have:

• participated in organizing the institution’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality of the instruction it offers to its students
• been instrumental in the development of a program of teaching awards;
• assisted colleagues either formally or informally in their efforts to improve their teaching;
• provided guidance to new faculty members; have organized or participated actively in workshops, symposia, or conferences on university instruction; or,
• been involved in collaborative efforts to develop innovative methods of teaching.

Eligibility

Nominees must not have received the Janet Pottie Murray Award for Educational Leadership within the past five years.

The award can be given to multiple people under certain circumstances – when, for example, the leadership is clearly collaborative.

Nomination

Nominations may be made by any member of the UPEI Faculty Association (sessional, term, tenure-stream, permanent). Self-Nomination is permitted and encouraged.

Nominees are responsible for submitting all documents, which should be no more than ten (10) pages. Anything beyond ten (10) pages will not be considered. The completed application will contain the following material:

• A statement that addresses the criteria for the award and summarizes the major strengths of the candidate.
• A letter of support from a current colleague/peer detailing the candidate’s active involvement in attempts to enhance the quality of instruction offered to UPEI students. that summarizes the major strengths of the candidate.
• A 1-2 page statement from the nominee detailing their philosophy of educational leadership and how they have demonstrated their leadership.
• Curriculum vitae, up to 4 pages, that highlights the candidate’s teaching, service, and scholarly activities related to educational leadership.
• Any additional information which the nominator considers might be helpful to the adjudication committee.