The Meritorious Teaching Award in Herpetology
The Herpetology Education Committee (HEC) seeks nominations for the Meritorious Teaching Award in Herpetology (MTAH). The award is sponsored by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH), The Herpetologists’ League (HL), and the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR). Nominees must be current members of at least one of the sponsoring societies. The HEC is generally composed of former MTAH Awardees, each serving a three-year term (3rd year as Chair), and a graduate student who serves a one-year term via appointment rotated among the three Society Presidents (ASIH, HL, SSAR). Any current member of the HEC who is not a former MTAH Awardee cannot be nominated (or self-nominate) for the MTAH.
This award recognizes superior teaching and mentoring of students in herpetology. Awardees will be active teachers and mentors, with classroom teaching within the last three years and a substantial history of teaching excellence. The award recipient will receive $500 US, an official letter, and a plaque from the HEC.
Nominees should have a reputation among their peers and students for excellence in herpetological education, including, but not limited to:
Demonstrated effective and innovative teaching in the classroom and/or other education settings (e.g., zoological parks, aquaria, museums, field stations, environmental centers);
Superior mentoring of students in herpetology, as evidenced by student testimonials, student publications, and placement of students in professional positions in herpetological fields.
The nomination packet (submitted as a single electronic PDF) must include the following documents:
Nominating Letter: A nominating letter, from a current member of ASIH, HL, or SSAR, highlighting in detail the nominee’s experience and accomplishments (limit 2 single spaced pages)
Curriculum Vitae: A current CV of the nominee, including teaching experience
Coursework Taught: List of relevant coursework taught, including years taught
Recommendation from Students: Letters of recommendation (at least 1, limit 2) from former or current students (graduate or undergraduate) addressing the teaching and mentoring skills of the nominee
Recommendation from Peers: Letters of recommendation (at least 1, limit 2) from professional peers who are qualified to review the merits of the nominee with respect to teaching and mentoring
Nominations must be received by the HEC Chair by 31 March 2026 for consideration. Incomplete nomination packets (e.g., those that do not include each of the above 5 items) will not be considered. If a nominee is not selected for the MTAH, their nomination package must be updated in successive years (i.e., 31 March 2026 deadline) to be eligible for future consideration. The MTAH is only given when highly meritorious recipients are identified, and may not be given every year.
Send electronic nomination files, including all letters, as a single PDF with the subject line “MTAH 2026 Nomination” to the Chair, Dr. Jennifer Moore, moorejen@gvsu.edu.
Committee Chair:
Jennifer Moore
Dept. of Biology
1 Campus Drive
3300a Kindschi Hall of Science
Allendale, Michigan 49401
moorejen@gvsu.edu
