The Graduate School Citations for Academic Excellence were created to recognize outstanding academic achievement of graduate students. Awards are given to students who have completed their program or are very close to completion.

The Graduate School began awarding the Citations in the Spring of 2006 at the first-ever Graduate Student Celebration. The ceremony is devoted exclusively to recognition of the academic excellence of graduate students during their studies at Grand Valley State University. The Graduate Student Association (GSA) co-hosts this event, which includes a reception and awards presentation.

For more information see the Graduate School Citations for Academic Excellence. 

Faculty Nominations are Open

Each year the Graduate Student Association asks graduate students to nominate faculty members that have made an impact upon them in a variety of ways. The three awards seeking nominations are the Kimboko Inclusion Award, Outstanding Mentorship Award, and the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award. Detailed descriptions for each of the awards can be found in the subsequent links below. The nominees will be reviewed by The Graduate School and the Graduate Student Association and the winners will be announced at The Graduate School Citations for Academic Excellence on December 6, 2024. All nominations with completed forms must be completed by end of day November 8, 2024.

Kimboko Inclusion Award
Graduate students are invited to nominate a faculty member that they feel deserves special recognition for teaching, distinctive scholarship or creative work, or noteworthy service in moving GVSU graduate education toward being a more diverse and inclusive community. The award recognizes the accomplishments of Dr. Priscilla Kimboko, GVSU's first Dean of Graduate Education, and represents her commitment to these values.

Outstanding Mentorship Award
Graduate students are invited to nominate faculty members they feel deserve special recognition for exemplary mentorship. An outstanding mentor encourages the development of individual talent through advising graduate level research and promoting professional development opportunities beyond the classroom, assists in promoting successful transition from graduate studies to employment, sponsors students and their work in and beyond the campus community, acts as an advocate and leader in administrative and professional matters, and demonstrates respect and a sincere and active interest in the well-being of students.

Outstanding Teaching Award
Graduate students are invited to nominate faculty members they feel deserve special recognition for exemplary teaching. A faculty member who exhibits exemplary teaching contributes to graduate student development by using thoughtful and creative methods of instruction, maintains a level of academic rigor commensurate with graduate education, assists in deeply understanding course content, engages students in a dynamic and inclusive manner, and demonstrates respect and a sincere and active interest in the educational development of students.

The nomination form can be found here - https://www.gvsu.edu/gs/cms-form-edit.htm?formId=0ED07E17-B276-B215-9503EB558B9521CD. If you have any questions reach out to Trista Bergerud in the Graduate School at [email protected].