The Distinguished Teaching Contributions Award recognizes an individual who has a record of excellence in teaching I-O psychology, developing students, and serving the teaching community.
The annual award will be given to an individual who has sustained experience teaching I-O psychology and developing students in an academic setting. There is no restriction on the specific courses taught or the student level (undergraduates, terminal master’s, or doctoral), only that the courses clearly focus on perspectives or applications of I-O psychology. These individuals excel at making I-O psychology accessible to undergraduates and/or developing the next generation of I-O psychologists.
The recipient of the award is given a plaque and a cash prize of $1,500.
Administrative Procedures
- At least five members of the SIOP Awards Subcommittee will review and evaluate each nomination package and recommend an award winner(s) to the SIOP Executive Board. Two or more nominees may be recommended if their contributions are similarly distinguished.
- The Executive Board may either endorse or reject the recommendations of the Awards Subcommittee but may not substitute a nominee of its own.
- In the absence of a nominee who is deemed deserving of the award by both the Awards Subcommittee and the Executive Board, the award may be withheld.
Composition of the Subcommittee
- All Subcommittee members must have 7+ years of experience teaching I-O psychology, or be previous winners of this award.
- At least half of the Subcommittee members must have teaching experience at colleges or universities focused primarily on undergraduate or master’s level education.
- Diversity of all types is encouraged, including non-U.S. based members.
Criteria for Eligibility
Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Demonstration of excellence in teaching I-O psychology at the undergraduate level, master’s level, or doctoral level, or some combination. Evidence of excellence in teaching would include a statement of teaching philosophy, student ratings, awards for teaching, examples of innovative methods in the design and delivery of course content, a summary of courses taught within the last 3 years (include title and short description of course, along with number of students enrolled), letters from supervisors or colleagues, and up to three letters of support from students.
Demonstration of student accomplishments due to mentoring. Evidence for this would include projects completed by students, student publications or papers presented at professional meetings based on work done with the teacher, stimulation of student research, awards or grants received by students due to teacher’s mentoring, students pursuing further graduate work, successful placement of students in jobs or graduate programs, careers or internships achieved by students, and other indications of student accomplishments due to the teacher’s guidance. All student accomplishments will be highly valued, including those at the undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral levels, or some combination.
Demonstration of excellence in teaching-related professional activities. Evidence for this would include the publication of I-O psychology textbooks, publications of articles or book chapters on teaching, workshops on the teaching of psychology, active membership in teaching organizations (e.g., presentations, service activities), active engagement with SIOP’s Education and Training Committee or committees that promote student development, community presentations related to I-O psychology, and contributions to professional meetings or workshops relevant to teaching.
Call for Nominations
Nomination Guidelines
- A nomination letter by a SIOP member is required. Self-nominations are welcome.
- Only SIOP members may be nominated for the award.
- The nomination package should also include: a current curriculum vitae, three to five letters of support, and any additional materials that illustrate the contributions of the nominee.
- The letter of nomination, CV, and all supporting letters and materials must be submitted by the nominator.
- When submitting the nomination materials, nominators will also be asked if the nominee is being investigated, or has been found responsible, for misconduct prohibited in SIOP’s Anti-Harassment Policy and to provide a brief explanation if this is the case.
Current Award Recipients

Award Type
Distinguished & Career Awards