The College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) honors outstanding faculty, staff, students and alumni for their sustained excellence in the classroom and beyond. From recognizing innovative projects that positively impact communities to honoring exceptional leadership and accomplishments, individuals in HHS receive a variety of awards each year across the department, college and university levels.

Faculty Awards

This annual award is especially for women on the faculty of the College of Health and Human Sciences who want to develop their leadership skills. The award provides funding to assist with the cost of participation in courses, conferences, workshops, institutes or other leadership opportunities that promote the development of future faculty leaders.

Download Application View Current Recipient

This annual award provides funding to a tenured or tenure-track assistant or associate professor to be expended over up to two years for purposes related to a College of Health and Human Sciences faculty member’s own professional development within any of Purdue’s mission areas: discovery, learning and engagement.

Download Application View Current Recipient

Faculty Engagement Award

This annual award recognizes HHS faculty members for excellence in innovation and demonstrated impact of the engagement activities they have created and/or implemented. Faculty awardees receive a plaque and $1,000 (before taxes). The selection committee will be comprised of two HHS faculty members, one HHS staff member, and the dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences or a designee.

Eligibility

Faculty members with at least a half-time appointment in the College of Health and Human Sciences who have not received this award within the past five years

Criteria for Selection

  • Excellence in innovation and demonstrated impact of the engagement activities created and/or implemented.
  • The engagement activity should be consistent with HHS strategic engagement goals.

Application Procedure

  • Candidates may be nominated by any faculty or staff member in the College of Health and Human Sciences or any external organization impacted by the nominee’s engagement activity.  Nominations should focus on accomplishments in the past academic year with respect to engagement.
  • Documentation must not exceed two pages for the nomination (12 pt. font, 1-inch margins).  The nomination should include:
    • A description of how the faculty member’s engagement activity addressed a matter affecting the health, behavior, and quality of life of people.
    • Documentation of scholarly activities related to engagement (i.e., presentations, publications, funding garnered, patents, new courses and programs developed).
  • Maximum of two letters of support, not longer than one page each, with one from an external source that has been impacted and one from a Purdue faculty/staff member.
  • In addition to the documents listed above, please submit complete curriculum vitae.
  • The application deadline is Dec. 15. The award is announced in the spring semester.
Submit Application

The HHS DEI Science Consortium (DEISC) is pleased to recognize outstanding research being conducted by Purdue HHS faculty and DEISC members. The award recognizes outstanding research focused on underrepresented, minoritized or stigmatized groups or that is relevant to DEI in health and human sciences disciplines. Nominations (either self or peer) are required for award consideration. All nominated articles will be evaluated by a panel of reviewers selected from across the college. The award recipient (first author) will receive $500 and will be invited to present a talk for the DEISC.  

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 
  • The first author must be an HHS faculty researcher at Purdue or a DEISC member. 
  • The journal article should represent outstanding research on underrepresented minority populations and/or be relevant to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in the health and human sciences disciplines.  
  • Both other- and self-nominations are accepted. 
  • Articles must have been first published during the previous calendar year, either online or in print (a paper with the publication year 2023 qualifies for the 2024 nomination, and papers can only be submitted once).  
  • Articles must have been published in a peer-reviewed journal. 
  • Articles must be empirical (quantitative, qualitative, meta-analytical or mixed methods). 
  • Multiple articles from individual faculty will be considered. 
  • Awardees will not be eligible to reapply for two subsequent award cycles.
HOW DO I NOMINATE AN ARTICLE? 

Nominations (self or other) can be submitted via Qualtrics and must include: 

  • A cover letter describing how the article contributes to diversity, equity and inclusion science and why the article represents outstanding research relevant to HHS.  
  • A PDF of the nominated article.
  • Contact information for the nominator and the lead author for the article. 

All nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. Jan. 31, 2024. 

Please contact Franki Kung or Zoe Taylor with any questions. 

Submit Nomination

HHS Research Awards

Early Career Research Achievement Award

This annual award recognizes HHS faculty members whose research goes beyond their dissertation and demonstrates clear scientific/scholarly contributions as a result of work completed while a Purdue faculty member. Recipients have demonstrated impact in their field and national recognition for their work.  

Career Research Achievement Award

This annual award recognizes HHS faculty members who have made strong scientific/scholarly contributions as a result of work performed as a Purdue faculty member. Recipients have demonstrated a sustained and significant impact in their field and have received national and international recognition for their work.

More information to come in October 2023.

HHS Teaching Awards

Jane S. Link Outstanding Teaching Award

This annual award honors HHS faculty members for outstanding teaching performance in all phases of the University’s undergraduate instruction on the West Lafayette campus.

View Current Recipient

Patsy J. Mellott Teaching Innovation Award

This annual award supports a wide variety of innovative HHS faculty projects, including but not limited to the design of new courses, the development of new models for teaching existing courses, the creation of new curricula and the purchase of equipment to enrich student learning in a course or set of courses. 

View Current Recipient

Outstanding Online Education Award

This annual award recognizes outstanding HHS faculty for demonstrated excellence in online education through significant contributions to a program, department or the college.

Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor Award

This award honors HHS faculty for sustained and significant contributions to the college’s graduate programs.

Staff Awards

Shining Star Award

This annual award recognizes full- or part-time A/P, clerical or service staff members who demonstrate outstanding customer service, initiative, dependability and a positive attitude in the College of Health and Human Sciences and the university. Awardees receive an acrylic star and a $100 gift certificate of their choice. Members of the selection committee will be comprised of three members from the HHS Professional Recognition Program Committee and one member designated by the dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences. The selection committee serves a one-year term starting on Oct. 1.

Eligibility

  • Full or part time A/P, clerical or service staff member.
  • Employed for 24 consecutive months or longer in the College of Health and Human Sciences.
  • Has not received the award within the past 24 months.

Criteria for Selection

  • Demonstrates initiative within the department/Purdue.
  • Promotes a welcoming and positive environment for all internal and external customers.
  • Consistently performs assigned duties at an exceptional level, goes above and beyond the normal expectations and volunteers for additional assignments.
  • Maintains a professional manner and serves as a role model for other staff.
  • Has a positive attitude even under the most difficult of circumstances.

Application Procedure

  • Candidates may be nominated by any faculty or staff member in the College of Health and Human Sciences. 
  • The application deadline is Dec. 15. The award is announced in the spring semester.
Submit Nomination

Staff Engagement Award

This annual award honors staff members for excellence in innovation and demonstrated impact of the engagement activities they have created and/or implemented. Recipients receive a plaque and $500 (before taxes). The selection committee will be comprised of two HHS faculty members, one HHS staff member, and the dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences or a designee.

Eligibility

Staff members in the College of Health and Human Sciences who have not received this award within the past five years are eligible.

Criteria for Selection

  • Excellence in innovation and demonstrated impact of the engagement activities created and/or implemented.
  • The engagement activity should be consistent with HHS strategic engagement goals.

Application Procedure

  • Candidates may be nominated by any faculty or staff member in the College of Health and Human Sciences or any external organization impacted by the nominee’s engagement activity. Nominations should focus on accomplishments in the past academic year with respect to engagement.
  • Documentation must not exceed two pages for the nomination (12 pt. font, 1-inch margins). The nomination should include:
    • A description of how the staff member’s engagement activity addressed a matter affecting the health, behavior, and quality of life of people.
    • Documentation of scholarly and/or community service activities related to engagement (i.e., presentations, publications, funding garnered, patents, new courses and programs developed, volunteer commitments).
  • Maximum of two letters of support, not longer than one page each, with one from an external source that has been impacted and one from a Purdue faculty/staff member.
  • In addition to the documents listed above, please submit a complete resume.
  • The application deadline is Dec. 15. The award is announced in the spring semester.
Submit Application

Study Abroad Leadership Award

This award recognizes HHS faculty and staff who demonstrate outstanding leadership and innovation in promoting, developing and implementing one or more study abroad programs for HHS students. Candidates may be nominated by HHS faculty and staff, or by students who have participated in a study abroad program led by the nominee.

Learn more about the Study Abroad Leadership Award.

HHS Undergraduate Student Awards

Outstanding Senior Award

Outstanding Seniors are nominated and chosen by representatives of their respective academic unit. Selection is based on accomplishments in the areas of academic achievement, professionalism, leadership and service to others.

View HHS Outstanding Senior videos.

HHS Graduate Student Awards

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Student Development Funding Opportunity

HHS Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award

This award is given to HHS graduate students who have demonstrated exceptional undergraduate teaching. For more information, contact your department’s graduate coordinator.

HHS Outstanding Doctoral Student Award

This annual award recognizes an HHS PhD student who has exhibited outstanding scholarly activities, service to their department and the college and research excellence that indicates promise for a productive career in their field. Recipients are awarded $1,000. For more information, contact your department’s graduate coordinator. 

HHS Outstanding Master’s Student Award

This annual award recognizes HHS master’s students who have exhibited outstanding scholarly activities, service to their department and the college and research excellence that indicates promise for a productive career in their field. Recipients are awarded $500. For more information, contact your department’s graduate coordinator.

HHS Compton Graduate Student Research Travel Award

This award supports HHS graduate students who are selected to present research findings in a poster or oral format at a regional, national or international conference. Alternatively, this award can be used by graduate students who want to attend training in research methods that will enhance their dissertation research beyond the courses offered at Purdue University or want to attend a workshop/conference focused on professional development. The award is open to HHS master’s or doctoral students who are involved in research under the guidance of HHS faculty. Recipients receive an award to cover up to $500 of travel expenses. For more information, contact your department’s graduate coordinator.

Purdue Graduate School Awards

University Graduate Teaching Awards

Graduate Grant Submission Bonus

Many HHS departments and schools also offer graduate student awards. For a complete list of available awards, visit your department’s or school’s webpage.

HHS Alumni Awards

HHS Alumni Awards

Distinguished Alumni Award

This award honors the significant professional accomplishments, career advancements and long-term leadership of HHS alumni who have worked in their chosen profession for 10 or more years.

Distinguished Service Award

This award honors demonstrated leadership in the community through the development of or significant contributions to private or public programs that improve or enhance quality of life for individuals, families and/or communities.

Early Career Achievement Award

This award recognizes the achievements of HHS alumni who have attained outstanding career development — either through traditional channels or innovative approaches — and who have worked in their chosen profession for 10 years or fewer. The recipient may also demonstrate involvement in professional organizations, a college alumni association or community activities. 

Learn more about HHS alumni awards, including application processes.

Department/School Awards

HSCI Robert R. Landolt Excellence in Teaching Award

Criteria for Eligibility

1) Anyone who teaches a Health Sciences course is eligible for the Landolt Award.

2) Recipients of the Award who have won two consecutive times will not be eligible for the next selection cycle, but will be re-eligible in the year following.

Criteria for Award Review

The notice of request for nominations shall include the following as suggested criteria to be considered when making a nomination for the School’s Landolt Teaching Award.  The actual format for the nomination will be left up to the individual nominator so as not to discourage nominations due to any perceived cumbersomeness of the procedure.

Basically, what a nominator needs to ask him/herself is “did I learn from this instructor?”, “did this instructor make me excited about the material?”, “did this instructor make we want to learn?”, etc.  More detailed possible criteria to consider follow:

Clarity of Presentation
  • course material and presentations were organized
  • class presentations were well conceived
  • class presentations seemed complete
  • visual aids and other course materials seems effective
  • the instructor made good use of analogies/anecdotes
  • explanations were provided for graded material
  • instructor effectively answered questions
Creating Student Interest in the Subject
  • the instructor showed enthusiasm for the material, teaching and student learning
  • student questions were encouraged
  • the instructor related the subject matter to current developments in the field and to current projects in Health Sciences
  • the instructor made further study in the content area appealing
Intellectual Challenge to the Students
  • exams, homework assignments, class exercises required logical reasoning
  • in-class questions posed by the instructor challenged the class
  • assignments/exams were challenging but fair
  • assignments/exams encouraged  the student to apply his/her knowledge
Development of Logical Approaches and Critical Evaluation
  • the instructor shared other resources to embellish the learning experience
  • historical perspectives were effectively blended into course presentations
  • the course material and presentations were logically developed – at the conclusion of the course, the student felt that he/she had benefited from the experience and had gained knowledge

Deadline: February 5, 2024 11:59 PM

Submission: Please submit nomination letter online. Contact Helen Terrell if you have any questions.

HSCI John E. Christian Distinguished Alumnus Award

Professor Christian held many offices and won many honors in professional and academic groups. He made major contributions to undergraduate education, literature, and research, for which he earned international recognition.   Of even greater and more lasting significance are his contributions to graduate education in various areas. They include radionuclide applications, health physics, environmental toxicology, environmental assessment, environmental and occupational safety and health, environmental biology and ecology, and various areas of pharmacy.  Upon his retirement June 30, 1998, graduate student alumni, faculty, colleagues, and other friends of Professor Christian contributed   to an endowment fund, The John E. Christian Recognition Fund. The net income from this fund is used to honor a distinguished alumnus each year. Alumni to be honored are selected from the areas of pharmacy, bionucleonics, and health sciences. Candidates for this award are reviewed by the HSCI Awards Committee and a nominating committee composed of distinguished alumni and emeritus faculty.   

HSCI Young Alumni Award

Purpose

The Outstanding Young Alumni Award recognizes a graduate of the School of Health Sciences for significant contributions to his or her profession, career achievements, or contributions to society through public service or other community activities.

Nominations

Any faculty, staff, students, or graduates of the School of Health Sciences may submit a nomination for this award.

Eligibility Requirements

The nominee must have graduated from Purdue University with a graduate or undergraduate degree in the School of Health Sciences and be within 10 years of graduation by the nomination submission deadline.

Selection Criteria

The nominee must have achieved a noteworthy level of success based upon the criteria below. 

  • A demonstrated record of significant achievements in his/her chosen profession.  The ability to serve as a role model for young alumni and current undergraduate students in the pursuit of their profession is a strong element for consideration.
  • Significant early career achievements and the potential for future achievement.
  • A demonstrated commitment to their profession through active participation and leadership in activities of professional organizations.
  • Demonstrated service to Purdue University or the School of Health Sciences.
  • Participated in leadership roles within the community.
Nomination Requirements

The nomination information should include as a minimum:

  1. A complete curriculum vitae (CV) that clearly summarizes the nominee’s career path and accomplishments.
  2. A formal letter of nomination describing the rationale for the nomination using the above criteria, if relevant. This letter should supplement the information contained in the CV and provide ample justification that this individual should be recognized for outstanding achievement, leadership, or service in comparison with professional peers.

Nomination package:

  1. Letter of nomination;
  2. The nominee’s CV.

Deadline: February 5, 2024 11:59 PM

Submission: Please submit the above documents online. Contact Helen Terrell if you have any questions (hterrell@purdue.edu; 765-494-8102). 

Nutrition Science

The Nutrition Science Hall of Fame Award honors alumni of this department who have made a significant contribution to the varied fields of foods and nutrition and established a unique record in their work and life. The Hall of Fame also honors the careers of those who have contributed to the growth and prominence of this department, even though they may not be alumni. Nutrition Science Hall of Fame Inductees.

To nominate someone for the Nutrition Science Hall of Fame Award, please fill out the nomination form.

View past Nutrition Hall of Fame Inductees

Psychological Sciences

James C. Naylor Award for Teaching Excellence in Psychology

Yearly award given to the faculty in Psychological Sciences whose educational work exemplifies the best in pedagogy.

Deadline: Nov 18, 2022  11:59 PM

Submission: Please direct questions and submit nomination letters to George Hollich.