Professional & Student Awards
Awards Open:
TBD - Check back in late October 2025
Questions
If you have questions, email
Brianna Smallman.
The Outstanding Graduate Coordinator Award recognizes the exemplary service of a graduate coordinator. Graduate coordinators provide an invaluable service to the university and its community of students, faculty and staff, and the award is one of the few opportunities available to recognize these individuals.
One award is presented, and nominees must have served as a graduate coordinator for two years as of Sept. 1 of the current year to be eligible. Past recipients of the award are eligible for nomination if five or more years have elapsed since they received the award. All prizes will be announced in spring.
Eligibility
The award committee will evaluate nominees based on the following criteria:
- The nominee's proficiency in serving as an effective advocate for graduate students and advancing graduate causes within the program
- The nominee's accessibility and availability to graduate students
- The nominee's adeptness in acting as a liaison between graduate students and the graduate adviser, as well as fostering effective communication between the graduate program and the Graduate School
- The nominee's effectiveness in guiding students to comprehend and adhere to rules and regulations governing graduate degrees
- The nominee's track record in both preventing and resolving problems within the graduate program
- The nominee's capability to carry out administrative functions with effectiveness and efficiency
- The nominee's organizational and communication skills
- The nominee's history of collaboration with other graduate coordinators and advisers to enhance the overall administration of the graduate program
Nominations
The Graduate School's Online Awards System
Nominations must be submitted using the Graduate School’s online awards system. Nominations may be initiated by academic deans, department chairs, program directors or graduate advisers.
To successfully complete the online application, please gather the following documents:
- Nomination Letter: A letter from the academic dean, department chair, program director, or graduate adviser providing a brief description of why the individual is being nominated
- Letters of Support: A maximum of five letters of support are accepted, with a stipulation that one must be from a current or former student. Supplementary letters can be submitted by faculty, staff or individuals familiar with the nominee's administrative history
- Graduate Program Materials: Relevant materials from the graduate program that support the nomination. This may include information detailing the nominee's role in the production or development of these materials, such as conceptualization, design, writing, editing, etc. Alternatively, a written statement from the nominee describing projects, initiatives and achievements relevant to the graduate program is acceptable
- Nominee's Dates of Service: Clearly provide the dates of service during which the nominee served as a program graduate coordinator
Ensure that all required materials are compiled and ready for submission through the online application portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should the nomination and supporting letters be?
There’s no required length. Please be sure that all requested information is thoroughly included in both the nomination and supporting documentation.
What are the nomination categories for the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation and Master’s Thesis or Report awards?
There are three main areas:
Area A — Humanities and Fine Arts
Includes programs focused on human culture, expression, and historical understanding.
Examples:
- Humanities: English / Literature, History, Philosophy, Linguistics, Religious Studies, Classics, Cultural Studies
- Fine Arts: Studio Art, Art History, Music (Performance, Composition, Theory), Theatre and Dance, Film and Media Studies, Creative Writing
Area B — Social Sciences, Business, and Education
Covers disciplines that study society, human behavior, and organizational systems.
Examples:
- Social Sciences: Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Political Science, Geography, Economics, Public Affairs / Public Policy
- Business: MBA Programs, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management, Information Systems
- Education: Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, Special Education, Higher Education Administration, Counseling and Student Services
Area C — Mathematics, Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Biological and Life Sciences
Includes programs focused on scientific inquiry, quantitative analysis, and technological innovation.
Examples:
- Mathematics: Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Computational Science
- Engineering: Mechanical, Electrical and Computer, Civil, Chemical, Biomedical, Aerospace Engineering
- Physical Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences (Geology, Geophysics), Astronomy, Materials Science
- Biological and Life Sciences: Biology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Ecology, Genetics, Biomedical Sciences
Can I submit an incomplete dissertation or thesis for the Outstanding Dissertation & Master’s Thesis/Report award?
No. Only completed dissertations and master’s theses/reports will be considered. Incomplete submissions are not eligible but may be submitted the following year once finalized.
Who should nomination letters be addressed to?
All nomination letters should be addressed to the Review Committee.
What is the submission deadline?
All submissions must be received by 11:59 PM CST on the day of the stated deadline on the awards page.
How many nominations can each department submit for the Outstanding Student Employee award?
Each department may submit one nomination per category: one for a Teaching Assistant (TA) and one for an Assistant Instructor (AI).
2025 Award Recipient
Beth Chichester
The Outstanding Graduate Coordinator Award recipient in 2025 is Beth Chichester, the Senior Academic Coordinator for Classics in the College of Liberal Arts.