The Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) has introduced the Norm Jones Excellence in General Education Awards, recognizing faculty across the state who demonstrate outstanding performance in general education instruction.
These awards are named in honor of USU Emeritus Professor of History Norm Jones, who played a foundational role in general education leadership in Utah for several decades. As part of this statewide initiative, Utah State University will select its own award recipients whose applications will be forwarded for consideration at the USHE level.
These awards recognize faculty who help students develop durable skills, design courses aligned with general education learning outcomes, and support the overarching goals of general education at both the classroom and institutional levels. One award will be given to an instructor in each general education designation area (8 awards total).
The award is open to all instructors who have at least three years of experience teaching USHE General Education courses in one or more of the General Education Core and Breadth area designations defined in Board Policy R470.
Norm Jones
USU Emeritus Professor of History
Professor Norman Jones joined the department in 1978 and was Department Head for eighteen years. His dedication to general education was unmatched. He served on the Utah Regents’ General Education Task Force for over twenty years and was a leader in the national effort to “tune” the history curriculum. He was also a Senior Fellow of the Association of American Colleges and Universities and chaired the College Board’s Advanced Placement Higher Education Advisory Committee.
Learn More About Norm JonesHow to Apply
Applications for the Norm Jones Award consist of the following four components:
Envelope 1. Nomination Letter
Max 250 words. From a dean, department chair, or faculty colleague describing how the nominee meets the award criteria.
File Lines 2. Candidate Statement
Max 500 words. A summary from the candidate describing their contributions to general education.
Chalkboard User 3. Sample Assignment & Justification
A specific assignment relevant, engaging, and effective in the candidate’s core or breadth area, along with a short statement (max 250 words) describing the course, why the assignment was selected, and how it reflects the candidate statement. Focus on durable skills and USHE general education learning outcomes.
List Check 4. List of General Education Courses
In a separate document, include a list of general education-designated course sections taught over the last three academic years, including Spring 2026 courses.
The nomination letter and candidate statement should provide evidence of the nominee’s impact on student learning and achievement of state general education outcomes. Supporting evidence may include syllabi revisions, peer observations, student testimonials or work, assessment data, innovative assignments, student evaluations, use of low- or no-cost materials, reduced course fees, or alternative course delivery formats.
Key Dates & Submission
Send nominations to civic@usu.edu by April 10. Winners will be notified by June 19 and recognized at the USHE General Education Summit on September 24–25, 2026.
Calendar Days Important Dates
- April 10 – Nomination deadline
- June 19 – Winners notified
- Sept. 24–25, 2026 – USHE General Education Summit recognition