Judith Deckers Prize

Award Details

This award illuminates and celebrates teaching excellence at Duke—in and outside of the classroom. The award winners will be thought leaders in the field who have a substantial track record of profoundly and positively affecting student learning and lives. 

All faculty members currently employed at Duke, who have taught an undergraduate course within the last four semesters in any undergraduate school (Trinity, Pratt, Nicholas, or Sanford) are eligible regardless of rank, title, classification, or research background. The award will grant three faculty members a prestigious honor along with a monetary prize of $35,000 each.

NOMINATION REVIEW

The Judith Decker Prize welcomed faculty nominations from the Duke Community (faculty, staff, students, and alumni) throughout April 2024. All nominated faculty that met the eligibility criteria will be reviewed on a rubric of their learning environment design, teaching, community, and student outcomes.

TIMELINE

Finalist for the Deckers Prize will be contacted in late-June. Finalists must submit portfolios about their teaching by mid-September. Duke Provost Alec Gallimore will announce the inaugural award winners in January 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information about the Judith Deckers Prize, please email VPUE@duke.edu.

When will nomination details be available? What information should be included in the nomination?

Nominations for the 2024 Judith Decker Prize cycle have closed. Details for the 2025 nomination process will be available in Spring 2025 on this webpage.

Who can nominate faculty for the Deckers Prize? Will I be able to nominate if I am graduating in May?

Yes, graduating seniors can nominate faculty. All students, staff, faculty, and alumni can nominate a faculty member for the Judith Deckers Prize.

Should those interested in submitting a nomination email their nomination?

No, nominations should be submitted via the online form. Nomination details for the 2025 Judith Deckers Prize will be available in Spring 2025.

When is the nomination deadline?

The deadline for the 2025-2026 will be posted in Spring 2025. Return to this webpage during that time for more details.

Will a group be able to submit a nomination, or only an individual? For example, if a group of students wanted to co-write and submit a nomination together, could they do so?

Nominations for the Judith Deckers Prize should be submitted individually.

Will there be anything required of the faculty member being nominated? If so, what will that be and when would it be due?

Finalists for the Deckers Prize will be contacted about submitting portfolios about their teaching. Finalists’ portfolios are scheduled to be due in mid-September 2024.

Are undergraduate and graduate students eligible to win the Judith Deckers Prize?

No, undergraduate and graduate students are not eligible to win the Judith Deckers Prize.