UCEA Master Professor Award

On a yearly basis, the UCEA Executive Committee shall accept nominations for an outstanding educational leadership professor to be named The UCEA Master Professor. This award is to be made to an individual faculty member whose record demonstrates excellence in at least 4 of the following five areas: teaching, mentoring and advising, academic leadership, supporting diverse student and colleagues, and professional service. All UCEA member institution faculties are eligible for this award, including faculty belonging to partner member institutions. The attributes for choosing The UCEA Master Professor include:

They have a sustained record as outstanding teachers, as attested to by students and faculty peers. They have exhibited educational innovation in the classroom and the extension of educational opportunities to an ever-wider group of students in educational leadership/administration programs.

They are outstanding advisors and mentors of students as evidenced by mentoring students in research projects that address the needs of K-12 educational systems. They play a key role in the advancement of students into leadership positions in PK-12 systems. In summary, they promote and support the academic, career goals, and placement of students into educational administration programs.

They have taken a leadership role in their academic unit, as administrators and/or leaders in educational endeavors. They have gained a regional and national reputation, as an educational leader and innovator. They have accomplished this through participation in regional and national activities as well as in publications in appropriate journals that have impacted the practice of educational leadership/administration in PK-12 systems.

They have provided outstanding leadership in promoting and supporting diversity in faculty, students, staff, programs, and curriculum in the field of educational leadership/administration.

They have provided outstanding public service through participation in public or private agencies, or both bodies that contribute to PK-16 partnerships and to improving the quality of PK-16 education throughout state, national, or international arenas.

Nomination Process

Nominations should include electronic copies of the following:

• Nominee's most recent curriculum vitae;
• Three letters of recommendation,
  1. One nomination letter addressing the contributions of the nominee relative to one or more of the award criteria. This letter can include quotes from other faculty and/or graduate students in support of the nominee. 
  2. Two letters of support from individuals who can speak directly  to the nominee's outstanding contribution as teachers, mentors and advisors, academic leaders, in support of diverse student and colleagues, and /or through their professional service to the field.

The Recognition

The individuals selected as UCEA Master Professors will be recognized for their contributions to the field during a General Session at the Annual UCEA Convention.

The individuals selected as UCEA Master Professors will receive a specially designed award.

Role of UCEA Master Professors

• UCEA Master Professors constitute distinguished academics whose leadership, critical thinking, and advice help guide faculty and program initiatives of the UCEA.
• UCEA Master Professors will be asked to help UCEA to address important needs, such as improving academic quality, promoting outstanding teaching, research, service, or other issues of concern to the UCEA.
• UCEA Master Professors will be asked to serve on future review committees for this award and other appropriate UCEA committees or advising groups.

Nominations are welcome from faculty member(s) of UCEA member institutions and partner institutions. Nominations should include electronic copies of the following:

• the candidate’s curriculum vitae;
• a letter addressing the contributions of the nominee relative to one or more of the selection criteria;
• support letters from individuals who have been directly mentored by the nominee, and/or individuals who can attest to the nominee’s mentoring strengths, are strongly encouraged.

A UCEA committee appointed by the Executive Director will review and evaluate the nominees. This committee will reserve the right to present this award to multiple candidates on any given year, or conversely, not to present this award should nominees not fully meet the selection criteria. 

The deadline for nominations is August 25, 2025.

The UCEA Master Professor Recipients

2025 Margaret Terry Orr Fordham University

2024 Jabari Mahiri, University of California, Berkeley

2022 Carol A. Mullen, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg

2021 Mark Anthony Gooden, Teachers College, Columbia University

2020 Andrea Rorrer, University of Utah and Stephen Jacobson, University of Buffalo

2019 Karen Sanzo, Old Dominion University 

2018 Shelby Cosner, University of Illinois at Chicago

2017 Margaret Grogan, Chapman University

2016 Michael Dantley, Miami University

2015 Gail Furman, Washington State University at Spokane

2014 Steven Jay Gross, Temple University

2013 Paula Short, University of Houston

2012 Maria Luisa (Malu) Gonzalez, University of Texas at El Paso

2011 Diana Pounder, University of Central Arkansas

2010 Nancy Evers, University of Cincinnati

2009 Joan Poliner Shapiro, Temple University

2008 Paul Begley, Pennsylvania State University Bruce G. Barnett, University of Texas at San Antonio

2007 Gary Crow, Florida State University Colleen Capper, University of Wisconsin-Madison

2006 Jim Scheurich, Texas A&M University

2005 Sally Zepeda, University of Georgia