Penn State recognizes faculty shaping the AI-Enhanced classroom—Here’s How to Apply.
In an academic era shaped by digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary collaboration, recognizing faculty who go the extra mile is not just ceremonial—it’s strategic. Penn State University is doing just that with the opening of applications for its 2025–26 University Libraries Faculty Engagement Award, an initiative that elevates the role of libraries in research, teaching, and outreach.
Launched in 2020, this annual award highlights faculty members who actively partner with the University Libraries to enhance learning experiences, generate impactful research, or expand community engagement. With a $1,000 honorarium, the award is more than a pat on the back; it’s a purposeful nod to the evolving role of academic libraries as hubs of innovation.
Why does this matter now? As AI reshapes the landscape of information retrieval, data literacy, and even scholarly publishing, faculty who collaborate with library experts become critical connectors—blending domain expertise with emerging tools to foster adaptable, future-ready learners.
What Makes a Standout Faculty-Library Partnership?
The selection committee seeks examples that demonstrate:
- Integration of library resources into teaching in novel or meaningful ways
- Joint research initiatives involving library data or expertise
- Projects that broaden access to information for students or the broader community
- Interdisciplinary approaches where librarians serve as co-creators of knowledge
This award recognizes work that might otherwise fly under the radar—course redesigns, open-access publishing efforts, community archiving projects—highlighting the quiet yet transformative collaborations that often form the backbone of a modern university.
AI, Open Access, and the Expanding Role of Libraries
The timing of this award application call is especially relevant. Libraries across the U.S. are becoming key players in conversations around AI literacy, algorithmic bias, and ethical information curation. At institutions like Penn State, librarians are already:
- Supporting faculty in using AI-assisted research tools
- Guiding students through AI prompt engineering and evaluation
- Leading workshops on data privacy, disinformation, and algorithmic transparency
Faculty who team up with libraries aren’t just enriching individual courses—they’re shaping institutional resilience in an AI-powered world.
Who’s Eligible and How to Apply
Any full-time faculty member at any Penn State campus is eligible. Nominations (including self-nominations) are open until June 14, 2025, and must include:
- A cover letter or nomination statement (up to 500 words)
- Supporting materials like syllabi, project summaries, or collaborative outputs
Applications are reviewed by a committee of librarians and previous award recipients, with a decision expected in early fall.
In a culture that often rewards individual accomplishments, this award celebrates collaborative impact. It redefines academic success to include librarians not just as support staff but as co-pilots in pedagogy, research, and innovation.
In doing so, it also sends a message to the wider higher education community: The future of learning is deeply interconnected. Faculty who engage with library experts are not just amplifying their own work—they’re modeling how to thrive in a knowledge economy transformed by technology, equity goals, and the quest for lifelong learning.
Want to Apply or Nominate Someone?
Applications for the 2025–26 University Libraries Faculty Engagement Award are now open.
