The award recognizes one junior and one senior faculty member who each strive to create a collaborative culture within the school. The award is named for Dean Emeritus Richard Cole who served as UNC Hussman dean from 1979-2005.

Richard Cole served as dean of the school from 1979-2005. During his tenure, Cole fueled student growth by adding advertising and public relations and visual communication tracks to the school’s longtime core of journalism, as well as by adding new programs, including medical, sports and business journalism. Cole was also instrumental in the school's move to Carroll Hall from Howell Hall in 1999.

Nomination information, process and forms are available to UNC Hussman faculty and staff on the school intranet.