Professor Promotion Recommendation Letter
Dear
In the fall of [ ], the Department of [ ] will consider the promotion of Dr. [ ] from Associate
Professor (without indefinite tenure) to Professor with indefinite tenure. Within Carnegie Mellon's
engineering college, the decisions to grant tenure and to promote to Full Professor are
customarily made simultaneously, although they can be uncoupled. These decisions are usually
made after eight years of professional experience.
This promotion is an important decision, and it is the practice of the University to have an
internal committee review the candidate's qualifications and accomplishments. The committee
has a number of criteria for promotion, including proficiency and reputation in research and
problem solving, as evidenced by publications, reports, invited lectures and patents; impact of
research on industry and professional practice; and professional leadership, including impact of
consulting, as well as work on government study commissions and within professional societies.
Although the committee will review information of various types, considerable emphasis will be
placed upon opinions of persons outside the University.
We would very much appreciate receiving a letter concerning your evaluation of Professor
[ ]'s professional contributions with which you are familiar. Activities that you may wish to
consider are [his/her] past and present research, professional society activities, interactions and
national and international colleagues, and professional consulting. Enclosed you will find
Professor [ ]'s curriculum vitae and copies of several manuscripts that reflect [his/her] research
work. We seek comments with regard to:
• the quality of [his/her]work and its impact (or potential impact) in [his/her]
technical field, in industry and in professional practice;
• [his/her] professional reputation relative to that of contemporaries in the same
area;
• [while the Carnegie Mellon promotion timeline may differ from your institution's, would Dr.
[ ] be eligible for tenure and promotion at your institution?]
The review committee will also consider Dr. [ ]'s educational activities. Of great importance will
be excellence of teaching (both undergraduate and graduate), proficiency in guiding students
on projects and theses, success in developing new educational programs, and contributions to
the overall activities of the Department, College and University. We would, of course, welcome
any comments on [his/her] educational activities that you may have.
Your evaluation of Dr. [ ] will be carefully considered by the review committee. We would
appreciate a response by August 1, [ ]. Your letter will be kept confidential to the extent
permitted by law and will be read only by those persons directly involved in the review process.
Thank you for your help on this important matter.
Sincerely,
[ ]