Louise Byrd Graduate Educator Award

NOMINATION PERIOD

November 4 - November 22, 2024 at 11:59 PM CDT

Eligibility

All members of the Graduate Faculty are eligible to receive this recognition. 

Award Details

In recognition of their exceptional commitment to graduate student support and mentorship, recipients of this mentorship award will receive a prestigious award package which includes a GRA fellowship for a graduate student of their selection to support their research and creative works. This GRA fellowship will provide a stipend of $27,850 plus tuition, bringing the package to over $37,000.

The recipient of the Byrd Mentor Award will receive a cash prize of $1,200 and an additional $6,000 as a professional development/research stipend. Honorees will receive special recognition at the Graduate Studies Award Ceremony and their achievements will be celebrated during the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony. 

Nomination Process & Documents

Graduate students and graduate faculty members are invited to submit a nomination for this award.

Nominations must be submitted using an online form that can be accessed below. Nominators will receive a system confirmation indicating their nomination was successfully submitted upon completion.

The following documents are required for the nomination.

1. Letter of nomination
   • Clear evidence should be presented that the nominee’s concern for graduate students goes significantly beyond that of the average, but dedicated, members of the Graduate Faculty.
2. Letter(s) of support
   • These may be written by colleagues and/or current or former students. Supporting letters should not be mere testimonials; they should provide specific examples of the nominee’s use of evidence based mentoring practices. When soliciting letters of support please consider the selection criteria below. 
3. Nominee's CV or resume

Note: All documents should be uploaded as PDFs. 

Selection Criteria

Nominees will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Models a consistent record of scholarship marked by excellence in research and teaching skills, research presentation and publication, and the exercise and promotion of excellent mentoring practices.

• Proven record of continuing interest in the growth and success of graduate students, expressed through quality lectures, availability, support of graduate student well-being, graduate research and career advising, and contact outside the classroom 

• Demonstration as an advocate for students individually or collectively, helping them overcome problems, discord, or barriers to progress in their degree programs 

• Commitment to advancing students’ long-term professional development - throughout their journey from student to professional. 

Nominations are reviewed by a committee comprised of graduate faculty. While time is required to process award decisions, we aim to notify all nominees and nominators via email in December.