The Ohio Association of Two-Year Colleges (OATYC) is pleased to announce the 2026 OATYC Teaching Awards! These awards recognize outstanding faculty across Ohio’s two-year institutions, with the 2026 winners announced at the annual OATYC Conference on Friday, Oct. 10 at Kent State Tuscarawas.

Each college was able to nominate one faculty member per award. Institutions with multiple campuses were allowed to submit one nomination per campus for each award.

Nomination Details

Deadline: Friday, Aug. 28, 2026

Eligibility: Only nominees attending the OATYC Annual Conference will be considered for the award. Nominees must register and pay for their conference attendance.

For each nomination, you will need to provide:

• The nominator’s information
• The nominee’s contact information
• Short nominee bio (up to 150 words)
• Nominee photo (under 100MB)
• Responses to the award-specific criteria
• A 150-word statement on why the nominee deserves the award

We encourage each institution to celebrate their exceptional educators by submitting nominations. If you have any questions or would like the nomination link, please contact Stacey Souther at stacey.souther@oatyc.org or 216-987-2523.

OATYC Teacher of the Year Award

Eligibility: Candidates must be full-time faculty with at least 51% instructional responsibilities and three or more years of continuous service at a public, associate degree-granting, two-year campus.

Evaluation Criteria

• 40 points: Innovative approaches to teaching, including the development of new courses, materials, and methods (200 words).
• 20 points: Work with students and student organizations (100 words).
• 20 points: Civic and community activities that support the educational objectives of the college (100 words).
• 10 points: Continuing education, pursuit of additional degrees, or professional development activities (75 words).
• 10 points: Leadership and participation in workshops, seminars, and professional organizations (75 words).

OATYC Adjunct Teacher of the Year Award

Eligibility: Candidates must be part-time faculty with at least three semesters (or quarters) of continuous teaching service at a public, associate degree-granting, two-year campus.

• 40 points: Innovative approaches to teaching, including the development of new courses, materials, and methods (200 words).
• 20 points: Work with students and student organizations (100 words).
• 20 points: Civic and community activities that support the educational objectives of the college (100 words).
• 10 points: Continuing education, pursuit of additional degrees, or professional development activities (75 words).
• 10 points: Leadership and participation in workshops, seminars, and professional organizations (75 words).

OATYC John Fallon Early Teacher of the Year Award

Eligibility: Candidates must be full-time faculty with at least 51% instructional responsibilities and up to (but no more than) three years of continuous service at a public, associate degree-granting, two-year campus.

Evaluation Criteria

• 50 points: Displays enthusiasm in support of student success (200 words).
• 20 points: Demonstrates practices that engage students in learning (100 words).
• 20 points: Shows active interest in the field, such as involvement in professional organizations or campus committees (100 words).
• 10 points: Continuing education, pursuit of additional degrees, or professional development activities (100 words).