Thank a Professor – Frequently Asked Questions

Thank a Professor is a program that presents certificates to faculty to acknowledge hard work and effort that has directly and positively impacted students. They include messages from students that show how much students appreciate what their faculty do. In addition, deans, department chairs, and senior administrators are made aware of the faculty’s good work.

Students complete a form and provide a short note to instructors who have made a difference in their education. Some students choose to include their names and others submit their messages anonymously. The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) lightly screens all the submissions and sends the letter and a certificate of appreciation to the instructor. In addition, all recipients’ names are forwarded to the Provost’s office along with selected notes.

There really aren’t “winners,” and this is not a voting process or a competition. Everyone who receives a nomination will receive a certificate.

No, you can thank a professor you had previously who made a positive impact. We just ask for the year you were taught by them.

Of course! You can submit multiple “Thank a Professor” notes.

If you nominate someone, they will receive a certificate. When completing the form, you can choose if you would like to include your name with the note or remain anonymous, in which case we won’t include your name. If your message includes something they may recognize, it is possible they might figure out who submitted the note.

We screen them to ensure that it is a message of gratitude. The CTL will not participate in the distribution of hurtful or inappropriate language.

We issue letters monthly. However, you may also opt to have your note sent after the semester has ended—in January after the fall semester, March after winter intersession, June after the spring semester, and September after the summer session.

Your comment will be shared with the professor and their department chair. However, your name is only included if you give us permission to show your name via the question on the form.

We like to publicize positive comments about our professors and the ways they support our students! You may opt to provide your name to your professor and not to the general public.