H.O.P.E. Award

Honor for Outstanding Progressive Educator (H.O.P.E.) Award

Presented annually during Homecoming, the H.O.P.E. (Honor for the Outstanding Progressive Educator) Award was established by the KU Class of 1959 to recognize outstanding dedication to student success and achievement through excellence in teaching strategies. The H.O.P.E. Award is the only KU award for teaching excellence bestowed exclusively by students. Five finalists will be recognized during a KU football game during the Fall semester, with the winner of the H.O.P.E. Award receives a plaque and a $1,000 stipend to commemorate their achievement.

 

The award process is facilitated by the Student Alumni Network, a part of KU Alumni.

Application

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

The Student Alumni Network will collect nominations from the current graduating class at the University of Kansas during the Fall semester. Faculty members or instructors can be nominated from any of the KU campuses. Once nominated, the nominee will receive communication to complete an online application to be considered for the H.O.P.E. Award. Nominees with an incomplete application will not be considered.

 

Materials required for the H.O.P.E. Award application are:

  • A PDF copy of a CV or Resume
  • A 500-word personal statement answering the following prompt:
    • The H.O.P.E. Award honors an outstanding faculty member who demonstrates exceptional teaching strategies, dedication to student success and achievement, and represents the Jayhawk Values of Unity, Innovation, Inclusion, and Engagement. Please describe how you best embody the H.O.P.E. Award.

Timeline

  • Online application opens: Monday, Sept. 1 at 8 a.m.
  • Online application closes: Friday Sept. 26 at 11:59 p.m.
  • Virtual interviews: Monday, Oct. 6 – Friday, Oct. 17
  • Finalist notifications: Tuesday, Oct. 21 by 5 p.m.
  • If able, finalists will be asked to attend the following events:
    • Homecoming Awards Banquet | Wednesday, Oct. 29, Jayhawk Welcome Center
    • Homecoming Football Game | Saturday, Nov. 1, David Booth Memorial Stadium

Questions

Please contact Ryan Edmonds at ryan.edmonds@kualumni.org.

Application

Please complete the application below and upload the required materials.

Name(Required)
(*) indicates required field
Address(Required)
Have you been nominated for the H.O.P.E. Award previously?
Max. file size: 1 MB.
Max. file size: 1 MB.
Upload a PDF of a 500 word personal statement answering the following prompt: The Honor for Outstanding Progressive Educator (H.O.P.E.) Award honors an outstanding faculty member who demonstrates exceptional teaching strategies, dedication to student success and achievement, and represents the Jayhawk Values of Unity, Innovation, Inclusion, and Engagement. Please describe in 500 words how you best embody the H.O.P.E. Award.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

We build lifelong relationships that strengthen the University of Kansas and the legacy of excellence embodied by its students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends.

KU Alumni

Jayhawk Welcome Center at Adams Alumni Center
1266 Oread Ave., Lawrence, KS 66045
kualumni@kualumni.org  |  800.584.2957

Most Visited
Quicklinks
Campus Partners
Facebook Youtube Instagram Linkedin
Copyright © 2025
Most Visited
Quicklinks
Campus Partners
Facebook Youtube Instagram Linkedin
Copyright © 2025

Welcome to KU Alumni

Your gift to KU Alumni is the single most powerful way to make all of KU stronger, including the value of your own degree. Through your support, KU Alumni:

  • Enhances student recruitment & programming
  • Increases the value of your KU degree
  • Preserves KU’s distinctive, nationally known traditions
  • Provides an avenue for advocates for KU and its impact
  • Grows and connects a larger network of Jayhawks
Learn More
Learn More
Make a Gift
Make a Gift
  • Support KU Alumni
  • Jayhawk Career Network
  • News & Stories
  • Networks & Groups
KU Alumni