The Office of Graduate Studies invites nominations from the University Community to honor faculty members whose dedication to graduate students and commitment to excellence in graduate training have made a significant contribution to the quality of life and professional development of graduate students at the University of Delaware. All currently enrolled UD graduate students, graduate student groups, and graduate alumni may nominate candidates for the award. Each academic year, one award will be given to an individual mentor and advisor of a master's student and one award to an individual mentor and advisor of a doctoral student.

The sole criterion for these awards is outstanding advising and mentoring. The following criteria are examples that highlight good advising and mentoring practices:

• Provides sound advice with respect to course of study
• Fosters best performance and talents from students
• Shows concern for students as people and support of their personal development; fosters student's development from student to colleague
• Acts as an advocate and guide in administrative, organizational and professional matters
• Provides outstanding instruction regarding quality and quantity of student papers or other forms of publication and performance including teaching education
• Promotion of the intellectual development of student by encouraging attendance and presentation of their research at professional conferences and meetings
• Leads in the understanding of research and professional ethics
• Extraordinary efforts or success with placement of student

Individuals seeking to nominate an outstanding mentor should submit a completed Outstanding Graduate Advising and Mentoring Award Nomination Form along with all supporting documents to the Selection Committee in the Office of Graduate Studies (234 Hullihen Hall). Nomination materials should include up to three letters of support from students or alumni and a letter from the department chair or dean. The nomination letters should contain:

• The letters should state specifically (in detail and using the above criteria) why the nominated faculty is worthy of the Outstanding Graduate Advising and Mentoring Award
• The letters should give specific examples and evidence of outstanding service to Graduate students are particularly valuable

• Rank of the nominee
• Report the number of students that the nominee has mentored through degree completion
• Report the number of theses or dissertation committees on which the nominee has served
• Report of special awards the nominee's students have received

Letters of nomination should arrive in the Office of Graduate Studies no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, February 25, 2008. The winners will be honored at the Commencement & Hooding Reception on May 30, 2008. Winners of this award are not eligible to receive the award for the next ten years. All nominations will be kept strictly confidential. To view a list of past recipients, click here.

The Selection committee will screen all nominations and be composed of faculty who were the previous winners, two graduate students, and the Assistant Provost for Graduate Studies. The Selection Committee will submit their recommendation to the Office of the Provost. All nominations will be kept strictly confidential.