Graduate Excellence Awards

These awards are intended to recognize broad definitions of teaching, scholarship, and DEI work since we know that not all students have the same opportunities. Many of our applicants are TAs, GPTIs, or RAs or involved in organized DEI groups on campus, but any student is welcome to apply!

Questions about the GPSG Excellence Awards can be directed to applications.gpsg@colorado.edu.

Eligibility

• All students pursuing graduate and professional degrees are eligible to apply, including international students.
• Students currently holding a position within GPSG as a Senator, Representative, Officer, or Executive are ineligible for an award. Students who have previously held one of these positions are eligible.
• Students can receive up to one of each award (TEA, CSEA, and DEI) during their time at CU.

Award Criteria

• Awards are graded using the following rubrics out of 10 points.
  • TEA Grading Rubric
  • CSEA Grading Rubric
  • DEI Grading Rubric
• Each application is graded blindly by two independent graders. The two scores are averaged for a final 9 or 10 points total. Graders are GPSG Senators, Representatives, Officers or Executives
• The GPSG Excellence Award Bylaws govern award procedures and criteria.

TEA Application Procedure

• Students should self-nominate themselves for this award
• Applicants will be asked to submit:
  • A short essay answering the questions below formatted in one PDF document; 100-250 words per question. No weight is assigned to essay length.
    • ​What are your classroom goals regarding student engagement, and how do you work towards achieving them?
    • How do you seek feedback from students, faculty, and other resources such as the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), and how do you address this in your teaching?
    • Describe your teaching philosophies, goals, or teaching motivation. How is this exhibited in the classroom?
  • An OPTIONAL letter of recommendation
    • Anyone who is not a current student or mentee of the applicant may write a letter of recommendation for the applicant.
    • Other acceptable supporters could be advisors, PIs, professors familiar with the applicant's work or teaching style, etc.
• Application materials other than letters of recommendation should be free of identifying information, such as names and student ID numbers. 
• All essay materials must be submitted as PDF uploads through the application form. Please do not include names in the filename, or your application will be disqualified.
• Letters of recommendation may be submitted by email to applications.gpsg@colorado.edu  with the subject line: Excellence Award Letter of Recommendation [Applicant Name]

CSEA Application Procedure

• Students should self-nominate themselves for this award
• Applicants will be asked to submit:
  • A short essay answering the questions below formatted in one PDF document; 100-250 words per question. No weight is assigned to essay length.
    • ​How have you contributed to a positive scholarly environment at CU? What does collegiality or mentorship look like in your work?
    • Describe your personal growth as a scholar, artist, etc., including engagement within your field.
    • What is your scholarly focus at CU, and what is your work's more considerable world significance?
  • An OPTIONAL letter of recommendation
    • Anyone who is not a current student or mentee of the applicant may write a letter of recommendation for the applicant.
    • Other acceptable supporters could be advisors, PIs, professors familiar with the applicant's work, etc.
• Application materials other than letters of recommendation should be free of identifying information, such as names and student ID numbers. 
• All essay materials must be submitted as PDF uploads through the application form. Please do not include names in the filename, or your application will be disqualified.
• Letters of recommendation may be submitted by email to applications.gpsg@colorado.edu with the subject line: Excellence Award Letter of Recommendation [Applicant Name]

DEI Award

• Students should self-nominate themselves for this award
• Applicants will be asked to submit:
  • A short essay answering the questions below formatted in one PDF document; 100-250 words per question. No weight is assigned to essay length.
    • Describe how past and current events have motivated you to work on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues.
    • Describe a specific issue related to diversity, equity, or inclusion you have worked to address. What steps have you taken to solve or improve this issue?
    • What is the impact of your work, and how do you plan to continue your DEI-related work?
  • An OPTIONAL letter of recommendation
    • Anyone who is not a current student or mentee of the applicant may write a letter of recommendation for the applicant.
    • Other acceptable supporters could be advisors, PIs, professors familiar with the applicant's work, etc.
• Application materials other than letters of recommendation should be free of identifying information such as names and student ID numbers. 
• All essay materials must be submitted as PDF uploads through the application form. Please do not include names in the filename, or your application will be disqualified.
• Letters of recommendation may be submitted by email to applications.gpsg@colorado.edu with the subject line: Excellence Award Letter of Recommendation [Applicant Name]