Simmons Chivukula Award for Academic Leadership
The Simmons Chivukula Award for Academic Leadership is generously sponsored by a gift from Dr. Elizabeth H. Simmons (Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UC San Diego; former MSU Associate Provost for Faculty and Academic Staff Development and Dean of Lyman Briggs College) and Dr. R. Sekhar Chivukula (distinguished professor of Physics at UC San Diego, former MSU Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of Undergraduate Studies).
The award is for exemplary work in academic leadership at the ranks of department chair, school director, assistant dean, or associate dean (individuals must be currently holding one of these positions at the time of nomination). An individual will be selected annually based on consistent demonstration of excellence in academic leadership, including the dimensions of creating effective, equitable, and inclusive academic communities.
An individual will be selected based on consistently demonstrated excellence in academic leadership in the following ways:
- Demonstrates a commitment to creating effective, equitable, and inclusive academic communities
- Treats others with tact, dignity, respect, and compassion
- Empowers the success and development of others
- Develops and communicates a clear vision for the unit
- Operates from a premise of openness, honesty, and transparency
- Displays awareness of own feelings, behaviors, values, and their potential impact on others
- Exhibits humility, takes ownership of decisions and actions, and provides credit to others as appropriate
- Develops networks, partnerships, and collaborations rather than operating primarily alone
- Follows through on commitments, pays attention to detail
- Is dedicated to continuous learning and improvement
- Has served sufficient time in role to demonstrate transformative leadership
Nominations for 2026-27 are due Monday, Nov. 9, 2026.
Additional information can be found below: