Awards and Recognition at Penn State

Recognition is a vital part of academic life at Penn State. Celebrating the achievements of faculty and academic administrators affirms the excellence, innovation, and service that define our university community. Whether through teaching, research, leadership, or student engagement, faculty contributions have a lasting impact—and acknowledging that work is essential to fostering a culture of inspiration and continued excellence.

This section highlights Penn State’s commitment to honoring faculty and administrative excellence. Here, you’ll find:

  • A searchable database of university-level awards recognizing outstanding achievement in teaching, research, advising, outreach, and leadership
  • Information on awards granted by the Office of Faculty Affairs, including those for early-career and senior faculty leadership
  • Details on awards presented by the Office of Undergraduate Education, which honor exceptional teaching, student engagement, and academic advising

Whether you are seeking to nominate a colleague or learn more about the many ways Penn State celebrates excellence, this page is your starting point for understanding the scope and significance of faculty recognition across the university.

Explore award criteria, nomination processes, and past recipients—and help us celebrate the individuals who make Penn State a leading academic institution.

Award Title Overseeing Group Type Audience
Arts and Humanities Scholar Medal Office of the Senior Vice President for Research Research Faculty
The Award for Administrative Excellence Office of Human Resources Leadership Faculty, Staff
The Barash Award for Human Service Office of Human Resources Outreach Faculty, Staff
The Dr. James Robinson Equal Opportunity Award Penn State Alumni Association Leadership Faculty, Staff
Dubin Pioneer Award Penn State Outreach Outreach Faculty, Staff
The Emerging Faculty Outreach Award Penn State Outreach Outreach Faculty
Engineering Scholar Medal Office of the Senior Vice President for Research Research Faculty
Entrepreneurship,Technology Transfer,and Economic Development Scholar Medal Office of the Senior Vice President for Research Research Faculty
The George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence Teaching Faculty
The Graduate Faculty Teaching Award Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards Administration Teaching Faculty
The Graduate School Alumni Society Graduate Program Chair Leadership Award Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards Administration Leadership Faculty
The Howard B. Palmer Faculty Mentoring Award Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards Administration Mentoring Faculty
Life and Health Sciences Scholar Medal Office of the Senior Vice President for Research Research Faculty
The McKay Donkin Award Office of Human Resources Leadership Faculty, Staff
Milton S. Eisenhower Award for Distingushed Teaching Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence Teaching Faculty
Nicholas P. Jones Faculty Award for Excellence Office of Faculty Affairs Leadership Faculty
The Penn State Award for Faculty Outreach Penn State Outreach Outreach Faculty
The Penn State Community Engagement and Scholarship Award Penn State Outreach Outreach Faculty, Staff
The Penn State Excellence in Advising Award Division of Undergraduate Studies Teaching Faculty
Penn State Laureate Office of Faculty Affairs Research, Outreach, Teaching Faculty
The Penn State Teaching Fellow: Penn State Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Teaching Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence Teaching Faculty
Physical Sciences Scholar Medal Office of the Senior Vice President for Research Research Faculty
The President's Award for Engagement with Students Undergraduate Education Leadership Faculty
The President's Award for Excellence in Academic Integration Office of Faculty Affairs Research, Teaching, Outreach Faculty
Rosemary Schraer Mentoring Award Penn State Outreach Mentoring Faculty, Staff
The Shirley Hendrick Award World Campus Leadership Faculty
Social and Behavioral Sciences Scholar Medal Office of the Senior Vice President for Research Research Faculty
The Staff Excellence Award Office of Human Resources Leadership Staff
The Support Staff Award Office of Human Resources Leadership Staff
The Teaching and Learning with Technology Impact Award Teaching and Learning with Technology Teaching, Research Faculty
The Undergraduate Program Leadership Award Undergraduate Education Leadership Faculty
The W. LaMarr Kopp International Faculty Achievement Award University Office of Global Programs Research, Teaching, Leadership Faculty