Graduate School Recognition Awards
The Graduate School coordinates annual recognition awards to celebrate the accomplishments of graduate researchers and faculty mentors. All nominations are routed through InfoReady Review. Submission ahead of the deadline is encouraged. For technical support, contact InfoReady directly at support@inforeadycorp.com.
Excellence in Graduate Mentoring Award
This award acknowledges and honors an individual who has enjoyed outstanding success in mentoring graduate students. Any full-time UNCG faculty member who has successfully mentored a cadre of graduate students at the master’s or doctoral level is eligible for nomination. Each nominee must have demonstrated continuing success as a mentor over a significant portion of their career.
Award: $1,000 and a plaque will be presented at the Excellence Convocation.
Evaluation Criteria
Nominees will be evaluated based on each of the following criteria:
- Mentoring excellence—a demonstrated record of mentoring excellence as indicated by a clear understanding of and evidence of supporting graduate student/postdoctoral scholar academic, professional and psychosocial needs; evidence of support beyond the classroom, lab or office; and strong testimonials from former graduate students/postdoctoral scholars;
- Fostering of inclusive, collaborative academic environments—a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion in mentoring as indicated by cultural awareness and sensitivity, recognition and respect for differences in perspective (cultural, racial, socioeconomic, gender, sexual orientation, etc.), and openness and transparency in the mentoring/advising process;
- Commitment to professional development and career advancement—a demonstrated commitment to graduate student and postdoctoral scholar professional development and career advancement as indicated by encouraging pursuit of publication, external grant funding or conference presentation, cultivation of a strong professional portfolio, development of network connections, dissemination of knowledge (knowledge mobilization) outside the academy, etc.
The Call for Nominations for the Spring 2024 award will go out on October 2, 2023, and are due to the Graduate School by Friday, January 26, 2024. Submit all nominations through UNCG InfoReady Review. Please direct questions to gradinquiry@uncg.edu.
Nomination Process:
Faculty members may be nominated by their institutional colleagues or current students; they may not nominate themselves. Student nominators must work with a faculty member (facilitator) to submit a nomination packet. Nominations must include the following materials:
- A summary of the nominee’s qualifications for the award (uploaded by the nominator).
- A letter of endorsement from the unit dean (or equivalent) of the nominee (uploaded by the nominator)
- A current C.V. of the nominee (uploaded by the nominator)
- A minimum of 1 letter of support from departmental colleagues(uploaded by the nominator)
- 3 reference letters from students (nominator will input emails and InfoReady will contact the students for the letters)
NOTE: Three letters of recommendation from former graduate students attesting to the mentoring provided by the nominee will be requested by the nominator through InfoReady Review. Consult the supporting documentation on the UNCG InfoReady Review site for detailed instructions. If the nominee or nominator wishes to include additional letters, they should be included with the application pdf.
Outstanding Dissertation
The Outstanding Dissertation Award was established to recognize exceptional work by doctoral students and to encourage the highest levels of scholarship, research, and writing. Each academic department offering the doctoral degree may nominate one dissertation for consideration.
Award: $1,500 award and a plaque will be presented at the Honors Convocation in the spring.
Guidelines: The following criteria were developed by a subcommittee of the Graduate Program Directors and will be used in judging dissertations:
- Originality in selection and formulation of the research topic
- Contribution this work makes to its academic discipline
- Clarity of presentation
- Skill and creativity in the use of methodology or research techniques
- Independence of thought demonstrated by the student throughout the dissertation process
Call for nominations of 2023 graduates will occur Monday, November 13, 2023. The nomination deadline will be Friday, February 16, 2024. All nominations must be submitted through UNCG InfoReady Review. For more information please contact gradinquiry@uncg.edu.
Nomination Process:
- Dissertations of those students who graduated only in calendar year (May, August, or December) prior to the spring in which the award is presented are eligible for nomination.
- The nomination packet (with all components submitted electronically through InfoReady Review) must include:
- The web link to the electronically published dissertation, or PDF of the dissertation
- A single letter of support signed by all members of the nominee’s committee is required. Support from other faculty either here or elsewhere is welcome but optional. The letter must be signed before being scanned (digital signatures are accepted).
- Nominations will be reviewed by the Department Head/Chair. Upon endorsement, it will be reviewed by The Graduate School.
Note: There is a limit of one nomination per department per award
| Year | Name | Department | Award |
| 2023 | Christina M. Stephens | Human Development and Family Studies | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2022 | Leah Haynes | English | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2021 | Morgan Boyce | Economics | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2020 | Timothy Reagin | History | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2019 | Charlotte Chun | Psychology | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2018 | Elisa Mercon-Vargas | Human Development and Family Studies | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2016 | Hannah G. Dudley Shotwell | History | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2015 | Kaira M. Wagoner | Biology | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2014 | Minita J. Sanghvi | Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2013 | Joseph A. George | English | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2012 | Stephanie Miller | Psychology | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2011 | Susan Thomas | History | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2010 | Jennifer McVay | Psychology | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2009 | Aaron Chandler | English | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2008 | Yu-Kai Chang | Exercise and Sport Studies | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2007 | Tina M. Miyake | Psychology | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2006 | Joe Falocco | English | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2005 | Paula Sisk | Nutrition | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2004 | Nicholas Crawford | English | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2003 | John W. Turner | Music | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2002 | Joyce Tingle Hollingsworth | English | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2001 | Julie King Esther | Psychology | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 2000 | John C. Hanes | Educational Research Methology | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 1999 | Francesca Adler-Baeder | Human Development and Family Studies | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 1997 | Roger C. Lane | Music | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 1996 | David W. Hollar, Jr. | Curriculum & Instruction | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 1995 | Ruskin King Cooper | Music | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 1994 | Elizabeth James-Gallagher | Music | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 1993 | Richard Farmer | Psychology | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 1992 | Carolyn J. Kates | English | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 1992 | Karin Dodge Magee | Psychology | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 1990 | Anita S. Tesh | Educational Research Methology | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 1989 | C. Chris Payne | Child Development & Famil y Relations | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
| 1988 | Daniel David Fredricks | English | Outstanding Dissertation Award |
Outstanding Thesis / Master’s Production
This award recognizes the significant accomplishments of master’s degree students through their thesis or master’s production. Each academic department offering the master’s degree may nominate one thesis or master’s production for consideration.
Award: $1,000 award and plaque will be presented to the recipient at the Honors Convocation in the spring.
Guidelines: The following criteria were developed by a subcommittee of the Graduate Program Directors and will be used in judging theses and master’s productions:
- Clarity of presentation
- Originality and creativity of the thesis/master’s production and potential for external recognition
- Quality, size, and scope of the thesis/master’s production; level of its challenge and assessment of its quality and execution
- Relationship to professional caliber of work in the field (i.e., publishable work in/for refereed journal or juried exhibits)
Call for nominations of 2023 graduates will occur Monday, November 13, 2023. The nomination deadline will be Friday, February 16, 2024. All nominations must be submitted through UNCG InfoReady Review. For more information please contact gradinquiry@uncg.edu.
Nomination Process:
- Theses and master’s productions of those who graduated only in calendar year (May, August, or December) prior to the spring in which the award is presented are eligible for nomination.
- A nomination packet (with all components submitted electronically through InfoReady Review) must include:
- The web link to the electronically published thesis, PDF of the thesis, or comparable electronic submission of the master’s production
- A single letter of support signed by all members of the nominee’s committee is required. Support from other faculty either here or elsewhere is welcome but optional. The letter must be signed before being scanned (digital signatures are accepted).
- Nominations will be reviewed by the Department Head/Chair. Upon endorsement, it will be reviewed by The Graduate School.
Note: There is a limit of one nomination per department per award
| Year | Name | Department | Award |
| 2023 | Rene Marzuk | English | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2022 | Jessica M. Garcia | Psychology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2021 | Mariani Weinstein | Psychology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2020 | Cameron Pugach | Psychology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2019 | Natalie Gay | Psychology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2018 | Marta Benito-Gomez | Human Development and Family Studies | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2016 | Andrea L. Kulish | Psychology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2015 | Kelly L. Harper | Psychology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2014 | Felicia Dean | Interior Architecture | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2013 | Naomi Chatley | Psychology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2012 | David Frank | Psychology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2011 | Meagan Tucker | Psychology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2010 | Molly Armistead Walsh | Psychology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2009 | Sarah Siltanen Hosman | Sociology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2008 | Jessica Kaczorowski | Psychology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2007 | Mary Julia Moore | Human Development and Family Studies | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2006 | Jackie Dawn Metheny | Biology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2005 | Paulo Graziano | Psychology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2004 | Glenn Perkins | History, Historic Preservation | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2003 | Lauren Tepper | Health & Human Performance | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2002 | Charles Dantzler Albertgotti | English | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2001 | Pamela R. Ladrow | Psychology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 2000 | Irving Coy Allen, Jr. | Biology | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 1999 | Christopher Crosbie | English | Outstanding Thesis Award |
| 1998 | Elizabeth D. Thompson | Broadcast Cinema Theatre | Outstanding Thesis Award |
George and Beatrice Goldman Fisher Gerontology Dissertation Prize
The University, through the George and Beatrice Goldman Fisher Gerontology Dissertation Prize, has established an annual award of $1000 to the best UNCG dissertation in any discipline which is related to gerontology and best advances improvement in the quality of life of the elderly. Each academic department offering the doctoral degree may nominate dissertations for consideration.
Award: $1000 award and plaque will be presented at the Honors Convocation in the spring.
Guidelines: The following criteria will be used in judging:
- Contribution this work makes to gerontology
- Originality in selection and formulation of research topic
- Skill and creativity in the use of methodology or research techniques
Call for nominations of 2023 graduates will occur Monday, November 13, 2023. The nomination deadline will be Friday, February 16, 2024. All nominations must be submitted through UNCG InfoReady Review. For more information please contact gradinquiry@uncg.edu.
Nomination Process:
- Dissertations of those students who graduated only in calendar year (May, August, or December) prior to the spring in which the award is presented are eligible for nomination.
- The nomination packet (with all components submitted electronically through InfoReady Review) must include:
- The web link to the electronically published dissertation, or PDF of the dissertation
- A single letter of support signed by all members of the nominee’s committee is required. Support from other faculty either here or elsewhere is welcome but optional. The letter must be signed before being scanned (digital signatures are accepted).
- Nominations will be reviewed by the Department Head/Chair. Upon endorsement, it will be reviewed by The Graduate School.
Note: There is a limit of one nomination per department per award
George and Beatrice Goldman Fisher Gerontology Master’s Prize
The University, through the George and Beatrice Goldman Fisher Gerontology Master’s Prize, has established an annual award of $500 to the best UNCG master’s thesis or master’s project in any discipline which is related to gerontology and best advances improvement in the quality of life of the elderly. Each academic department offering the master’s degree may nominate master’s theses or projects for consideration.
Award: $500 award and plaque will be presented at the Honors Convocation in the spring
Guidelines: The following criteria will be used in judging:
- Contribution this work makes to gerontology
- Originality in selection and formulation of research topic
- Skill and creativity in the use of methodology or research techniques
Call for nominations of 2023 graduates will occur Monday, November 13, 2023. The nomination deadline will be Friday, February 16 2024. All nominations must be submitted through UNCG InfoReady Review. For more information please contact gradinquiry@uncg.edu.
Nomination Process:
- Theses of those who graduated only in calendar year (May, August, or December) prior to the spring in which the award is presented are eligible for nomination.
- A nomination packet (with all components submitted electronically through InfoReady Review) must include:
- The web link to the electronically published thesis, or PDF of the thesis
- A single letter of support signed by all members of the nominee’s committee is required. Support from other faculty either here or elsewhere is welcome but optional. The letter must be signed before being scanned (digital signatures are accepted).
- Nominations will be reviewed by the Department Head/Chair. Upon endorsement, it will be reviewed by The Graduate School.
Note: There is a limit of one nomination per department per award
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Associates
This award acknowledges the contributions of graduate students to teaching and instruction at UNCG. This award is significant to student teachers as it is an affirmation of their dedication to education by their specific department. It reminds the campus community that teaching is central to the university’s mission and that inspiring students increases our global reach.
Award: $200 award and recognition at the Honors Convocation in the spring will be given to the Graduate Teaching Associate selected by each College/School.
Selection needed by Friday, February 16, 2024. Please send the student name, school/college, and department of your winner to the Graduate School. For more information please contact gradinquiry@uncg.edu.
Guidelines: The academic units that have Graduate Teaching Associates are responsible for developing their own procedures to select their winning GTA.
- Award recipients must be selected for high-quality instruction done during the current academic year.
- Units are free to develop their own selection process, as long as one variable used is the written evaluation by the designated departmental faculty supervisor of the TA.
Note: There is a limit of one nomination per department per award