The Dr. Cheryl Miller Standard Bearer Award for Design Education Trailblazers honors Dr. Miller’s legacy as a trailblazer in design education, recognizing educators at all levels who have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and leadership in the field. The award is intended to celebrate those who have made significant contributions to design education, either through teaching, research, mentorship, or leadership, and who continue to push the boundaries of what design education can be.
The purpose of this award is to recognize and celebrate educators who have made a lasting impact on design education. This award acknowledges the vital role that educators play in shaping the future of design, challenging the status quo, and mentoring the next generation of design leaders. The award also serves to highlight those who are dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of underrepresented designers, much like Dr. Cheryl Miller has done through her extensive archival work.
The Dr. Cheryl Miller Standard Bearer Award for Design Education Trailblazers
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The Dr. Cheryl Miller Standard Bearer Award for Design Education Trailblazers is open to design educators at all levels, from K-12 to higher education, as well as educators in informal settings such as community workshops or design mentorship programs. Nominees or applicants should have a proven track record of excellence in design education and a commitment to mentoring and influencing future generations of designers.
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The award is open to educators teaching at any level of design education, including K-12, higher education, adult education, and community-based design education. This includes teachers, professors, mentors, and facilitators working in traditional or non-traditional educational settings.
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Nominees or applicants must demonstrate a commitment to promoting inclusivity in design education, whether through curriculum development, mentorship, community outreach, or other educational initiatives. This can include efforts to diversify the design curriculum, amplify underrepresented voices, or support the success of marginalized students in design fields.
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Nominees or applicants must show evidence of their impact on students and the broader design community. This can include testimonials from students, examples of mentorship, leadership in educational initiatives, or contributions to advancing the field of design education.
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Educators who have made significant contributions to preserving and sharing the history of design, particularly the history of underrepresented designers, are encouraged to apply. This could include archiving work, research into design history, or educational projects that highlight the contributions of marginalized designers.connection to Dr. Tunstall’s work and their commitment to carrying her legacy forward.
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Applicants or nominees should demonstrate leadership and innovation in their approach to design education. This could involve introducing new teaching methods, leading significant educational reforms, or creating programs that prepare students to meet the challenges of the evolving design landscape.
The award will include a monetary grant or stipend to support the recipient’s educational initiatives, research, or archival work, as well as a feature in the State of Black Design publication, highlighting their achievements and contributions to design education.
the awardee will have the opportunity to share their educational journey through a keynote presentation or panel discussion at the State of Black Design event, providing a platform to inspire and engage with other educators and design practitioners.
Recipients of this award will join a community of trailblazers committed to advancing inclusive, equitable, and innovative approaches to design education, ensuring that the legacy of educators like Dr. Cheryl Miller continues to influence the design field for years to come.
Application and Nomination Process
Applicants for the Dr. Cheryl Miller Standard Bearer Award for Design Education Trailblazers may be nominated by peers, students, or colleagues, or they may submit an application on their own behalf.
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A completed application or nomination form, which includes personal information about the nominee or applicant, educational background, and a brief biography.
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A portfolio showcasing the educator’s teaching philosophy, curriculum development, and examples of student work. This portfolio should also include evidence of the educator’s impact on their students and their efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity in design education.
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A 750- to 1,000-word narrative that details the educator’s contributions to design education. This narrative should address the applicant’s or nominee’s approach to teaching, their commitment to inclusivity, and their impact on students and the design community. For educators who have contributed to archiving or preserving design history, this narrative should also describe their efforts in this area.
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Two to three letters of support from colleagues, students, or peers who can speak to the nominee’s or applicant’s impact on design education and their commitment to mentorship and leadership in the field.
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A brief overview of the educator’s teaching experience, including years in the field, courses taught, leadership roles, and any relevant metrics that demonstrate their success in teaching and mentorship.