Distinguished prefix packets due August 1
If you are a mid to late career academic staff member, you may be eligible to apply for a Distinguished Prefix title. The Distinguished Prefix title was created to recognize academic staff who have acquired extensive experience, advanced skills/knowledge, and a reputation beyond their school/college/division. The Distinguished Prefix title is not an automatic promotional step. It is an honor reserved for individuals who have demonstrated remarkable contributions to their profession. Currently, only some Category A academic staff in the Professional title series and Category B academic staff in the Instructional and Research title series are eligible for the Distinguished Prefix title (i.e., limited appointments and the program manager series are excluded). To find out if your title series has a Distinguished Prefix option, you can visit
http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/polproced/UTG/TitleDesc2.html and search for your title. The Distinguished Prefix title is considered a promotion and includes a 5-10% base salary adjustment.
For more information and for details regarding the application process, please visit
http://acstaff.wisc.edu/documents/Converted_Distinguished_Prefix_Guidlines.pdf. To facilitate the committee’s ability to appropriately evaluate your application, it is important that your application clearly demonstrates how you have met the criteria for the Distinguished Prefix title, including documentation of your outstanding accomplishments with letters of recommendation that support your reputation and influence beyond your school/college/division. Your application should not include extensive personal notes from students/patients or paperwork regarding previous promotions. Quality of information is more important than quantity; redundancy of information should be eliminated.
The Secretary’s office has several sample application packets that you can view in person. Please contact my office to make an appointment.
Be sure to check with your department/unit human resources office and your school/college/division human resources office for additional information and deadlines. There is parallel paperwork that must be prepared by these offices in addition to the application you are preparing so you need to collaborate with them in your application process. Please note that applications require approval from the department and school/college/division human resources office. Final awarding of the distinguished prefix is at the discretion of the Dean/Director.
Applications can be submitted at any time, but are due to my office no later than August 1 for consideration at the fall meeting of the committee. If you have any questions, please contact the Secretary of the Academic Staff office.
Heather Daniels
Secretary of the Academic Staff