The title of Distinguished University Professor (DUP) is the highest appointment bestowed on a faculty member at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). It is a recognition not just of excellence, but of impact and significant contribution to the nominee’s field, knowledge, profession, and/or practice.
The School of Medicine is accepting nominations for the honorary title of Distinguished University Professor. The policy, criteria, details, and FAQs are provided for your review.
UMB Policy on Distinguished University Faculty
Eligibility Criteria
The nominee should be a current member of our faculty. Except in very special circumstances, the nominee should hold the rank of Professor. Distinguished University Professors will have been recognized nationally and internationally for the importance of their scholarly and/or creative achievements. They also will have a demonstrated breadth of interest through their excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. In addition, they will have brought distinction to UMB as a result of those activities. As such, it demands nomination materials that exhibit evidence of impact and support far beyond that expected for promotion to Professor.
Confidentiality
The nominator may request the nominee's CV. Nominations and materials are to be kept confidential to the extent possible--including from the nominee. The nominee must not be involved in the nomination process. The SOM Office of Academic Administration (SOM OAA) will not communicate with the nominee about the nomination.
Initial Nomination Due to SOM OAA by October 15, 2026:
Submit a separate pdf of each of the following materials to the SOM OAA:
- Nomination Letter (one to two pages) from the nominee’s Department Chair or any Professor, in format similar to a promotion request letter, including:
- Nominee’s legal name and degree
- Proposed title – Distinguished University Professor
- Official SOM department name
- Division, Institute, Program and/or Center name (if applicable)
- General background: education, degrees, scholarship/academic honors, special training, employment history
- Details about the nominee’s worthiness for the Distinguished University Professor title
- a description of the nominee’s commitment to educational innovation, impactful mentorship, and development of educational models that advance knowledge in the field
- a description of how the nominee’s contributions have brought distinction to the SOM and UMB
- the quality of research and publications, achievements, stature in the scientific and/or clinical community, and potential for future growth and continued contributions
- the quality of the journals in which the nominee has published, h-index, and citation count.
- a description of the impact the nominee has had on his or her field, and national and/or international reach
- clarification, for someone not in the nominee’s immediate area, of the prestige and selectivity of the awards won by the nominee. This applies also to election to fellowship (or other rank) in professional societies, as well as selection for editorial responsibilities.
- sufficient detail and explanation of the significance of the nominee's accomplishments for campus reviewers who may be in other specialties or fields.
- Cover letter from the nominee's Department Chair, if the Chair did not write or co-sign the nomination letter
- Nominee’s current CV in SOM format
UMSOM Review and Recommendation
The School of Medicine DUP Review Committee will review and discuss nominations, then consult with the Dean to select nominees to move forward for campus review. The SOM OAA will notify the nominator if a nominee was recommended for campus review, and request the final materials. The nominator will also be informed if the nominee was not recommended to move forward.
Final Nomination Materials Due to SOM OAA by December 4, 2026:
The nominator is responsible for providing the following nomination materials. Submit a separate pdf of each of the following to the SOM OAA.
- A list of three (3) University of Maryland, Baltimore faculty members who support the nomination. Do not include the name(s) of the nominator(s). (No letters from UMB faculty members are accepted.)
- Letters from three to five (3-5) external referees stating support for the awarding of the title of Distinguished University Professor. A maximum of five (5) external letteris will be accepted. Each external letter of support solicited by the nominator should be 2-3 pages in length, and explain how the nominee meets the DUP criteria, including: excellence in teaching/mentoring, scholarly activity, national prominence, impact on UMB/UMSOM, honors/awards, etc.
- A brief description of each external referee's credentials and detailed due diligence report of the relationship to the nominee. (See Forms below.)
Submission of Nominations to Campus
For nominees recommended to move forward for campus review, the SOM OAA will submit the initial nomination(s) to the Office of the Provost by November 1, 2026, then forward all nomination materials to the Office of the Provost by December 15, 2026, for campus-level review and consideration.
Campus Review, Selection, and Notification
The campus Selection Committee will undertake its review, then discuss its recommendations with the Provost. The Provost will forward the final recommendations to the President, who will select the awardee(s). The campus provides no updates during its review & selection process. The campus will notify the Dean of the award recipient(s) and make a public announcement in spring 2027.
FAQs
Who may submit a nomination?
The nominee’s Chair, Dean, or another faculty member who holds the rank of Professor may submit a nomination. If desired, multiple nominators may endorse a nomination. Each should co-sign the nomination letter.
May a faculty member self-nominate?
No. Self-nominations are not permitted.
I nominated a faculty member previously, but DUP was not awarded. May I nominate that individual again?
Yes. If there is no additional information to provide, the nominator may change the date on the nomination letter and submit it. The original CV, list of UMB Supporters, and external letters of support on file with the SOM OAA will be re-used. However, the nominator is encouraged to consider whether the nominee’s accomplishments or impact have changed since the previous nomination and whether new or revised documentation (e.g., nomination letter, CV, external letters of support) would better demonstrate how the nominee meets the DUP criteria. Relevant developments may include significant new scholarly contributions; increased impact or prominence in the nominee’s field; major honors, awards, or other recognition; substantial contributions to teaching or mentoring; or significant new leadership, administrative, or service contributions.
Note: After three consecutive nominations without being awarded DUP, an updated nomination letter and new supporting documentation will be required.
If a Department Chair will be nominated, is another letter required in lieu of the Chair’s cover letter?
No. An additional letter is not required in place of the Chair’s cover letter.
Must a nominee be a full-time faculty member?
No. A nominee is not required to be a full-time faculty member. An eligible faculty member at the rank of Professor may be nominated, regardless of whether the faculty appointment is full-time, part-time, or volunteer.
Does the nominator need to request a letter of support from the Dean?
No. SOM OAA will obtain a cover letter from the Dean for each of the nominees recommended for campus review.
How many internal letters of support are required?
No letters of support from UMSOM or other UMB faculty members are permitted.
How many external letters of support are required and who is responsible for obtaining the letters?
The nominator must solicit three to five (3-5) letters from external referees stating support for the awarding of the title of Distinguished University Professor, along with a brief description of each referee’s credentials and due diligence report of the relationship to the nominee. (See Forms below.)
What is a due diligence report?
A due diligence report is an explanation of an external referee's relationship to the nominee.
Does a Distinguished University Professor receive remuneration?
No. Neither the University nor the UMSOM provides remuneration to those awarded this honorary title.
Who are the current UMB Distinguished University Professors?
Visit the campus DUP page to review the list.
Forms
Contact Monique Ogarro with questions.