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UMEA recognizes leadership and achievement of its members through a competitive awards process. Awards are presented annually at the Awards Luncheon during the MU Extension Summit held in Columbia, Missouri.

UMEA General Awards

  • Outstanding Program Award

    The Outstanding Program Award recognizes a single program effort by UMEA members. Programs must have been conducted between July 1 of the previous year and June 30 of the award year. This can be an individual or team entry. All members of a team entry must be members of UMEA with dues paid as of January 31 of the award year.

    Three awards will be given: 1st - $400; 2nd - $300; 3rd - $200. Each Team member, who is a paid member of UMEA, will be presented a certificate. Award money will be presented to the team leader to distribute the award for program development or professional development. Nominees can be self-nominated or colleagues can make nominations. A program that has been recognized in the past five years cannot reapply.

    Nominations will be scored by:

    • 50% Program Summary
    • 10% Supporting Materials (Media, Brochures, Pictures, etc.)
    • 20% Originality and Innovation
    • 10% Overall Application

    Outstanding Program Award requirements (DOCX)

  • Meritorious Service Award

    The Meritorious Award recognizes the accomplishments of a single UMEA member based on both programmatic and non-programmatic contributions the member has made while working for Extension.

    Nominees must have been with Extension at least 5 years and a member of UMEA for the past three consecutive years with dues for this year paid prior to January 31 of the award year. One Meritorious Service winner will be selected from the entire membership (field and campus) regardless of category/specialization. Cash award of $300 will be given to that winner to be used for their professional development. A member can only receive the award once in their MU Extension Career.

    Nomination scoring is based on:

    • 15% Program Summary (show significant work in program area)
    • 30% Program Accomplishments (size, scope, changes, teamwork, new ideas, etc.)
    • 10% Contributions Outside Program Area (teamwork, community, etc.)
    • 10% Professional Development (UMEA, professional organizations, etc.)
    • 10% Supporting Materials (media, brochures, pictures, etc.)
    • 15% Overall Size and Depth of Programming
    • 10% Overall Application

    Meritorious Service Award requirements (DOCX)

  • Connection and Engagement Award

    The Connection/Engagement Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a extension faculty member. To be eligible for this award the nominee must be a paid UMEA member (see By-Laws for definition). The nominee must have been a member of the field or state faculty for at least 12 months as of August 1 of the award year. Up to two (2) Connection/Engagement awards may be given providing a sufficient number of complete applications are received.

    A region may nominate as many faculty members as are eligible. Nominees can be self-nominated or colleagues can make nominations. A monetary award in the amount of $200 will be given to each winner to use for their professional improvement. Nominations will be scored by:

    • 30% Size and scope of programming of the last 1-2 years
    • 30% Connection and engagement accomplishments of the last 1-2 years
    • 20% Teamwork
    • 10% Professional involvement
    • 10% Overall application

    Connection and Engagement Award requirements (DOCX)

    Note: To be eligible for this award the nominee must be a paid UMEA member (see By-Laws for definition).

  • Rookie of the Year Award

    The Rookie of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a new extension faculty member. To be eligible for this award the nominee does not have to be a paid UMEA member (see By-Laws for definition). The nominee must have been a member of the field or state faculty for no less than six months and no more than 24 months as of August 1. Extension experience in other states is included in this period. Up to two (2) rookie awards may be given providing a sufficient number of complete applications are received. A region may nominate as many faculty members as are eligible. Nominees can be self-nominated or colleagues can make nominations. A monetary award in the amount of $200 will be given to each winner to use for their professional improvement.

    Nominations will be scored by:

    • 10% Size and scope of program
    • 40% Significant programming efforts
    • 20% Teamwork
    • 10% Professional involvement
    • 20% Overall application

    Rookie of the Year Award requirements (DOCX)

    Note: To be eligible for this award the nominee does not have to be a paid UMEA member (see By-Laws for definition).

  • Staff Programing Award

    The Staff Programming Award recognizes outstanding achievement by Extension staff members, including YPAs, NPAs and Youth Educators. To be eligible for this award the nominee does not have to be a paid UMEA member (see By-Laws for definition). The nominee must have been a staff member for no less than six months as of August 1 of the award year. Extension experience in other states is included in this period. Up to two (2) Staff Programming awards may be given providing a sufficient number of complete applications are received.

    A region may nominate as many staff members as are eligible. Nominees can be self-nominated or colleagues can make nominations. A monetary award in the amount of $200 will be given to each winner to use for their professional improvement. Nominations will be scored by:

    • 20% Collaboration (works inclusively to accomplish goals with coworkers, participants and program partners)
    • 20% Communication (provides information clearly, ensuring participation)
    • 20% Customer focus (understands and responds to customers’ needs)
    • 20% Meets organizational requirements (submits proper paperwork in a timely manner and pursues professional development opportunities)
    • 20% Overall application

    Staff Programing Award requirements (DOCX)

    Note: To be eligible for this award the nominee does not have to be a paid UMEA member (see By-Laws for definition).

  • Apply for a UMEA Award

    To apply for a UMEA award, please fill out the survey form.

    View the form


UMEA Professional Development Award Guidelines

UMEA Professional Development awards assist association members in continuing their professional development in support of the University of Missouri Extension mission.

  • Eligibility

    Individual applicants must:

    • Be employed currently with University of Missouri Extension or Lincoln University Extension.
    • Have two years of consecutive employment with University of Missouri Extension or Lincoln University. (Applicants can only receive one award per year with a five-year, $1,000 limit on funds.)
    • Be a member of UMEA currently. Additionally, the applicant must have been a UMEA member during the two years immediately preceding application.
    • After receiving two awards or up to $1,000, the applicant must be a member for 5 consecutive years to apply for additional funding awards.

    Professional Development Committee members are eligible to apply but will be excluded from scoring and awarding scholarships. The alternate from their region will take their place in the selection committee.

  • Criteria

    Proposals should be complete and clear, and must exhibit:

    • Benefit to the individual, organization and clientele.
    • Individual initiative and creativity.
    • Relationship to the applicant’s professional development.
    • Method for evaluating experience.

    Priority will be given to first-time applicants. There will be a 5 year, $1,000 limit on funds. Only one award per year will be given.

  • Amount

    Up to $1,000 per award will be granted. Funds should offset expenses not covered through other sources. Applicants must submit a budget identifying anticipated future expenditures and other sources of financial support, including personal contributions. Awards will not exceed actual expenses. The number of awards granted will depend on the availability of funds in the UMEA Professional Development Fund. As reflected in the University of Missouri endowment guidelines, the total annual award distributions should not exceed 5% of the organization’s endowment. The amount of the awards given during the year will be determined by the UMEA Board during its budget development process.

  • Application and selection process

    After completing the application, individuals must email the application to the address on the application and to their regional director. The applications will be reviewed by the Professional Improvements and Staff Benefits Committee. The committee will make recommendations for action on award applications. Applications will be reviewed twice a year. To be considered the award applications must be received by May 1 and August 1 prior to attendance of the professional development experience. Individuals selected to receive grant awards will be notified by May 13; and September 1.

    Award recipients will be required to write a short, one page summary of their professional development experience detailing how the experience will be shared, the expected impact on your programming, for the University of Missouri and for your clientele. Submit the summary with your Professional Development Reimbursement Form within one month of the end of the activity. The summary and reimbursement form should be emailed to the UMEA Treasurer and the Chair of the Professional Improvement and Staff Benefits Committee. The summary may be used in the UMEA newsletter, website, or other media outlets to promote the organization.

    Application materials: