For Excellence in Online Teaching
We believe Marshall’s greatest asset is its people. This new accolade specifically acknowledges faculty members who demonstrate exceptional skill and commitment to delivering an engaging, transformative student experience in the virtual realm. The award will encompass one of three focus areas for each nominee: digital innovation, learner engagement, or impactful assessment. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to nominate educators who exhibit the following qualities:
- High standards for humanistic course design and delivery, showing evidence consistent with Marshall Online’s HOME Framework – transparency, motivation, belonging.
- Evidence of intervention efforts – such as using LMS analytics to track struggling students or advocating support services.
- Innovation in online course development and delivery, with tangible examples of active learning.
- Meaningful engagement with online students, showing evidence of Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI).
- Sharing knowledge with the academic community; advancing research opportunities and/or contributing to a Community of Practice in online education.
2025 Winners
Congratulations to Dr. Kimberly McFall and Dr. Damien Arthur for being the most recent winners of the Stephen and Sue Zemba Excellence in Online Teaching Award! To learn more about what made their courses stand out, watch their video.
2024 Winners
Congratulations to Dr. Wendi Benson and Dr. Laura Stapleton for being the first winners of the Stephen and Sue Zemba Excellence in Online Teaching Award! Watch their video below to learn more about the inspiring work both of them are doing.
Nominations Open in Summer
Eligibility
- Faculty members teaching distance education courses: including tenured, tenure-track, and full-time term faculty are eligible.
- Course must be self-designed.
- The nominee must have taught at least one online course in the past academic year. Course and instructor must be current on HOME certification.
- Faculty who receive a Zemba Excellence in Online Teaching Award are eligible to be nominated again after three years, or sooner if demonstrating substantial new teaching innovation in a different category.
Nominations:
- Nominations accepted June 1st – Sep. 29th.
- Students and faculty can nominate. And self-nominations are allowed and encouraged!
- Nominate below and also watch for our campus flyers with scannable QR code.
- Nominees will be notified in October.
To submit a nomination, follow this link.
Submission Requirements for Nominees Who Accept the Nomination:
Nominees will submit the following components via InfoReady in early October:
- A recent syllabus reflective of best practices in online teaching and learning.
- Brief Teaching Practice Reflection – Guided Prompt provided. (300 words).
- Focus Area Video: a collection of at least 3-5 course artifacts demonstrating excellence in one of the three focus areas of digital innovation, learner engagement, impactful assessment. (3-5 minute video).
Nominees Click Here to Submit Components via InfoReady
Join the Zemba Organization – Get Inspired and Find Guidance!
The Zemba organization supports faculty by providing guidance to nominees and showcasing exemplary course design to inspire all faculty. Whether you’re applying or simply exploring, this organization is for you!
Steps to Self-Enroll
- Make sure you are logged into Blackboard.
- Click on Zemba Awards Portal.
- On the Self-Enrollment page, you will see the name of the organization. Click Submit to confirm self-enrollment.
- You will then be directed to the organization and can start looking through the modules.
Email onlinelearning@marshall.edu if you need help self-enrolling.
Recognition
- Two recipients will be announced at the end of October. Each will receive an award of $1000.
- The recipients of the Online Teaching Excellence award will be invited to the reception during Distance Education Week in the first week of November, where the award will be presented, and the faculty member’s best practices will be showcased.
Additional Notes:
Reviewers will include the Instructional Design Team and the Zemba Faculty Review Committee.