Education Awards

The UNMC Impact in Education Awards are the highest education-related awards conferred by UNMC. The eight awards recognize the dedication and ingenuity of our educators. Award categories include emerging educator, innovation, leadership, mentorship, service, interprofessional education, research, and sustained achievement. 

 Individuals are nominated by their peers or self-nomination by completing the brief nomination form. Once nominated, candidates will need to complete additional nomination materials based on award criteria.

Recipients receive award funds for professional development, recognition at the annual award ceremony, and their name displayed on a plaque in the Academic Affairs office. The awards are sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs, and the selection process and ceremony are facilitated by the Interprofessional Academy of Educators.

• Varner Educator Laureate (highest recognition)

  The award recognizes an individual with sustained achievement in education who has significantly improved the UNMC learning environment through the provision of outstanding educational experiences. The award is sponsored by Jerald Varner, PhD, and can only be awarded one time to the same individual.
  Award Amount: $10,000

• Innovative Practices in Education

  The award recognizes an individual or team that demonstrates ingenuity, courage, and creativity in teaching, including innovations in use of educational technology, experiential learning, adoption of simulation and/or creative use of the classroom.
  Award Amount: $5,000

• Research in Education Scholar

  The award recognizes an individual who has advanced the science of learning through research of educational pedagogy. This includes receiving funding for original research in the areas of teaching/learning strategies, learning outcomes, and best practices in education. Significant contributions are demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, grants, and participation on the local, regional, or national level in developing educational scholarship.
  Award Amount: $5,000

• Inspirational Mentor of Educators

  The award recognizes an individual who has mentored junior faculty or trainees in developing as health professions educators. This mentorship may take the form of individual mentoring, or developing and implementing programs or resources targeted to improve health professions educators at the local, regional, or national level. The focus of this mentoring award is on developing future health professions educators.
  Award Amount: $5,000

• Interprofessional Education Scholar

  The award recognizes an individual or team who has demonstrated excellence in interprofessional education. This includes teaching in an interprofessional learning environment, disseminating the results and best practices of interprofessional education, and contributing locally, regionally, or nationally to the advancement of interprofessional education.
  Award Amount: $5,000

• Valor in Educational Service

  The award recognizes a UNMC volunteer, emeritus, or adjunct faculty member who exemplifies the spirit of outstanding teaching and whose contributions are significant and lasting to the advancement of health care learners, health care education, or health care professions.
  Award Amount: $5,000

• Visionary Leadership in Education

  The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated the ability to skillfully establish or administer an educational initiative or role at UNMC or a national organization.
  Award Amount: $5,000

• Emerging Educator  ***NEW***

  The award recognizes an emerging health science educator who demonstrates excellence, dedication, and perseverance in teaching and education early in their career.
  Award Amount: $5,000

• Award Details

  View award criteria and nomination materials.

• Winners

  See a list of previous award winners.