Bob Pierleoni Spirit of POD Award

The Bob Pierleoni Spirit of POD Award is the highest honor bestowed by the POD Network. It recognizes long-standing members whose selfless service and deep commitment to the organization have helped shape and sustain the field of educational development in higher education. The award is presented at the annual POD Network Conference.

 

About the Award

Bob Pierleoni was an early and influential member of the POD Network. He brought more than expertise and organizational skill—he brought a spirit of collegiality, warmth, humility, and generosity that helped define the culture of POD. His dedication to mentoring, connecting colleagues, and advancing the field through shared purpose and care continues to inspire this award in his name.

 

Award Criteria

Nominees should:

• Embody the spirit of POD, demonstrating values such as: generosity of spirit, kindness, compassion, sincerity, humility, inclusiveness, and civility in their interactions and service.
• Provide sustained and impactful service to the POD Network in ways that go beyond routine participation—such as: 
  • freely sharing materials, ideas, expertise, and support
  • mentoring colleagues or helping others enter and grow in the field
  • leading in innovative, inclusive, and equity-minded ways within POD.
• Contribute meaningfully to the broader field of educational development, by making substantive contributions to faculty, instructional, and/or organizational development that reflect POD’s core values of collaboration, equity, and evidence-informed practice. This work helps advance the field in meaningful ways beyond the POD Network.
• Demonstrate longstanding engagement with POD, with at least 10 years of active engagement, contributing consistently to its mission, community, and development.

 

Nomination Process for the 2026 Award will open in summer, 2026

Each of the following steps must be completed by TBD.

Step 1: Reflect.
Think about your experiences within the POD Network. Has someone made a meaningful difference in your professional life—or helped shape POD as a community? Have others benefited from their mentorship, service, or leadership as well? If so, you may have identified a strong candidate for the Spirit of POD Award.

Step 2: Draft the nomination letter.
Strong nominations typically involve contributions from four or more colleagues and take one of two forms:

• Option A: A 2-page cover letter outlining how the nominee holistically embodies the Spirit of POD, accompanied by 4–5 short supporting letters from colleagues, each addressing different aspects of the nominee’s impact (10 pages max; at least 1.15 inch linespacing and 11 point font)
• Option B: A single, integrated letter that weaves together perspectives from multiple nominators into a cohesive narrative (10 pages max; at least 1.15 inch linespacing and 11 point font).

Whichever format you choose, the nomination should provide concrete examples that show how the nominee:

• Embodies the spirit and values of the POD Network
• Provides sustained and impactful service to POD, beyond routine participation
• Contributes meaningfully to the broader field of educational development
• Demonstrates longstanding engagement with the POD Network (10+ years)

Step 3: Submit.
Complete the nomination form and email your nomination letter as a single PDF file to [email protected].

 

Eligibility

• All POD Network members who have served the organization for at least ten years are eligible. We especially welcome nominations for members whose communities or identities are historically minoritized in higher education, including Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and other racialized groups; LGBTQIA+ colleagues; and colleagues with disabilities.
• Current POD President, Past President, President-Elect, and members of the Spirit of POD subcommittee are not eligible for nomination.
• Current subcommittee members may not serve as nominators.
• If you are unsure about someone’s eligibility, please contact the committee chair at [email protected].

 

Questions?

We hope that you will find the information in this Frequently Asked Questions document helpful. In addition, you may contact the Spirit of POD subcommittee chair at [email protected].