Inclusion in the Circle formally celebrates the receipt of external awards of distinction for career achievements, fellowships with external bodies and other formal recognitions. 

Recognizing sustained excellence in teaching as characterized by high academic quality, social responsibility, innovation in teaching, outstanding student experience, outstanding student engagement, and community engagement.

Recognizing contributions and devotion to the university's mission, these awards are given annually to academic leaders who have shown exceptional leadership abilities through the realization of significant administrative accomplishments at Concordia.

The university values its academic staff and offers tenure to safeguard academic freedom. Of note are recent tenure recipients, promotions, and tenure-track hires.

Concordia has a long line of faculty who have distinguished themselves with exceptional accomplishments over the course of their careers. The crowning achievement for these accomplishments is the conferral of the designation of Distinguished Professor Emeritus.