Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award

Source: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/funding/awards/teaching Parent: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/funding/awards

Questions

If you have questions, email \ Brianna Smallman.

The Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award recognizes the distinguished teaching of a graduate faculty member.

One award is presented annually, with nominations limited to one per graduate program. 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

To assist in identifying award nominees, the following criteria are suggested:

• The nominee's demonstrated excellence in the classroom and laboratory, as reflected in course-instructor survey evaluations and letters of recommendation from both students and colleagues
• The nominee's distinctive contribution in mentoring graduate students and helping them achieve their goals in academic or professional careers
• The nominee's commendable track record of supervising and participating in students' thesis, report, recital and dissertation committees

Nominations

The Graduate School's Online Awards System

Nominations must be submitted using the Graduate School’s online awards system.

Nominations must be initiated by department graduate adviser, department graduate coordinator, program graduate school award administrator, academic dean, department chair or program director.

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 briefly explaining the rationale behind nominating the individual
• Letters of Support: Three letters highlighting the nominee's unique approach to teaching in organized classes and thesis, report, recital, dissertation or treatise supervision. The selection committee will be interested in the distinctive contribution that each nominee has made toward helping graduate students achieve their goals in academic or professional careers. These should be categorized as follows:
• One from a current student of the nominee
• One from a former student
• One from a colleague
• Summary Sheet: Provide a summary sheet detailing graduate courses taught in the last three years, including enrollments, and overall averages of course-instructor survey evaluations. Course syllabi from graduate courses taught in the last three years
• Course Syllabi: Include syllabi from graduate courses taught in the last three years
• List of Supervised Theses/Reports/Recitals or Dissertations/Treatises: Catalog a list of master’s theses/reports/recitals or doctoral dissertations/treatises supervised by the nominee. Include a summary demonstrating the number of students supervised, graduated, and job placement information if available
• Committee Service: Present a list of thesis/report/recital or dissertation/treatise committees on which the nominee has served. Include a summary showing the number of students involved
• Curriculum Vitae: Include the nominee's curriculum vitae

These documents collectively form a comprehensive nomination package for consideration by the selection committee. If you have any queries or require further guidance, please feel free to reach out.

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).

Professional & Student Awards

Nominations Open:\ October 27, 2025

Nominations Close:\ February 13, 2026 - Deadline extended!

2025 Award Recipient

Caroline Faria

Associate Professor\ Geography and the Environment\ African and African Diaspora Studies\ College of Liberal Arts