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Get ready to SOAR! Nominate Southwest students, faculty, staff and partners by Oct. 14!

Soar NominationsNominations are now open for Tennessee Board of Regents’ 2022 SOAR Awards!

This is the fourth year the SOAR (Statewide Outstanding Achievement Recognition) awards take flight in recognizing excellent students, faculty and staff. TBR also names the College of the Year and bestows the Partnership Award.

To nominate your candidate, please carefully review and follow the process below for students, faculty and staff nominations. For partner nomination and other details or to submit your nomination packet, please contact Mary Cano at mcano1@southwest.tn.edu. No incomplete nominations will be considered. All nominations are due Oct. 14, 2021.

FACULTY NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS

Eligibility:

  • Self-nominations are not permitted.
  • Faculty must be nominated by another staff or faculty member.
  • Faculty must have completed at least one (1) year of employment.
  • Faculty must have been employed during the 2019-2020 academic year. 

Submission requirements:

Nominator MUST:

  • Include faculty rank information.
  • Denote whether the faculty is on tenure track or not.
  • Include nominee’s resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
  • Include a letter from himself or herself (not exceeding 2 pages, 12 pt font).
  • Include letter from the nominee’s department chair (not exceeding 2 pages, 12 pt font).
  • Include letter from additional individual who supports the recommendation of the nominee for an excellence award. This can be from faculty, staff, alumnus, student or external colleague.

STUDENT NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS

Eligibility:

  • Self-nominations are not permitted.
  • Have and maintain an overall, 3.3 cumulative GPA throughout the state competition.
  • Exhibit exemplary service at the institution and throughout the community.
  • Exhibit exemplary academic accomplishment during enrollment.
  • Must have completed at least 12 semester hours at the nominating community college at the time of nomination.
     

Submission requirements:

Nominator MUST:

  • Be a Southwest faculty member.
  • Must provide the following information about the student nominee:
    • Full name
    • County of residence
    • Phone number, college email, personal email and home address
    • Program of study
    • Hours completed
    • Cumulative GPA
    • Date first enrolled at Southwest
    • Date of expected graduation
  • Include a letter of recommendation.
  • Provide student's official transcript.
  • Include student's resume.
  • Provide a Personal Trait Evaluation for the nominee, ranking them on a scale of 1 to 5 on the following:
    • Good Moral Character 
    • Attitude             
    • Attendance       
    • Leadership        
    • Personal Appearance    
    • Career Goals     
    • Commitment to/Knowledge of Occupation         
    • Extracurricular Activities
  • Include an essay written by the student nominee. The essay must meet the following specifications:
    • Not exceed two pages in 12 pt. font, double spaced
    • Be uploaded as a PDF to the online web form.
    • Content should be based on these the following topics:
      • Career Goals and Commitment to/Knowledge of Occupation (The student must have career goals and be able to articulate them. He or she must express and demonstrate a passion for his or her field and are knowledgeable about the skills and characteristics that one must possess to be successful in that field.)
      • Commitment to/Knowledge of TBR’s Education Options (The student understands the value of an education from a TBR Institution, both economically and personally. He or she student writes about Southwest’s potential to both meet the economic needs of the 21st century and better the lives of those receiving a Southwest credential, in either personal or hypothetical terms.)
      • Commitment to/Knowledge of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) system (The student understands TBR’s vision, which states “To raise the education and skill levels of Tennesseans through quality programs and services, while providing students with the education and training needed to develop the knowledge and skills to be competitive in the world economy.)
  • Answer the following questions:
    • Is this student in "good standing" as determined by your college? Is this student free of any BANNER "holds"?
    • Does this student have an overall, cumulative GPA of at least a 3.3 at the time of nomination?
    • Is the student graduating between December 2021 and August 2022?
    • Is the student a full-time employee of the college or system office?
    • Do you know of any history of acts involving dishonesty or moral turpitude involving the student?
    • Has this student ever participated in the regional or state level awards competition OR been selected as a local or state TBR Award winner?
    • Has the student had any prior legal convictions? If yes, please list it.
       

STAFF NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS

Eligibility:

  • Cannot submit a self-nomination.
  • Must be a full-time employee.
  • Have completed at least one (1) year of employment at the institution.
  • Be a non-exempt or exempt employee who is employed full-time during the 2021-22 academic year.
  • Be employed by the institution at the time of final selection.
  • In the organizational structure, be at or below the level of associate/assistant vice president (or equivalent). 

Submission requirements:

  • Include resume/ Curriculum Vitae (supplied by the nominee’s supervisor)
  • Answer the following questions about the nominee:
    • Has the staff member completed at least one year of employment at the institution? 
    • Was the staff member employed full-time during the 2021-22 academic year?
    • Does the staff member hold a title or position in the organizational structure above director level?
  • Three Letters of Support (not to exceed two pages each, 12 pt. font)
    • One letter from the nominator. Any faculty member, administrator/staff member, or student from the college community may nominate an individual for an excellence award.
    • One letter by the nominee’s supervisor. It is requested that the supervisor highlight the specific appointment requirements or expectations of the nominee to enable the committee to adequately review the individual on this basis.
    • One letter from an additional individual who supports the recommendation of the nominee for an excellence award. Any faculty member, administrator/staff member, alumnus/a, student from the college community, or external colleague may submit a letter of support.