Overview
The Graduate Student Awards Ceremony is an annual event that recognizes excellence among graduate students at Georgetown University. The awards are co-sponsored by the Graduate Student Government (GradGov), Biomedical Graduate Education, the McCourt School of Public Policy, McDonough School of Business, School of Continuing Studies and the Graduate School of Arts Sciences.
The awards categories and important dates regarding award submissions for 2024 are listed below:
- Nomination Period: January 18–February 23
- Application Period: February 22 –March 20
- Award Ceremony and Reception: Monday, April 29 from 4–6 p.m. in Gaston Hall and Dahlgren Quadrangle
Graduate Student Teaching Award
This award recognizes excellence among graduate students acting as instructor of record, i.e. teaching their own course. Awards are given to one student from each area: humanities, social science and science.
Graduate Student Teaching Assistant Award
This award recognizes excellence among graduate students serving as TAs. Awards are given to one student from each area: humanities, social science and science and an at-large award.
Outstanding Graduate Student Organization Award
This award recognizes the graduate student organization that demonstrated consistent flexibility, initiative, creativity and perseverance; made a meaningful contribution to graduate students, the university and/or the surrounding community; and organized activities, events and programs that have had a significant impact on the quality of campus life at Georgetown University.
Graduate Global Citizen Award
This award acknowledges a graduate student in good academic standing who demonstrates significant and well-documented progress in developing intercultural competency and global-mindedness based on examples of on-campus engagement with the Georgetown community.
Dr. Karen Gale Exceptional Ph.D. Student Award
This award recognizes a Ph.D. graduate student who demonstrates a high level of excellence and expertise in their field. This can include academic and research achievements, excellence beyond course work and commitment to their area of study. Awards are given to one student from each area: humanities, social sciences and sciences and an at-large award.
Exceptional Master’s Student Award
This award recognizes master’s level graduate students who demonstrate a high level of excellence in their field. This can include academic achievement, quality of papers and theses, and commitment to advancing their studies through internships and/or work experience. Awards are given to one student from each area: humanities, social sciences and sciences and an at-large award.
Outstanding Student Leader in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Service Award
This award recognizes a graduate student who has made outstanding contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the graduate school community. Their service, programming endeavors and activities demonstrate their commitment to DEI. Service in this award may include but is not limited to: efforts to build a strong graduate student community of scholars from diverse backgrounds by improving student advocacy, activities, education and policies such that they are inclusive.
Specifically, efforts should promote equity by removing barriers or providing support for all people no matter socioeconomic status, disability status, race, culture, ethnicity, nation of origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity to participate in professional activities at Georgetown. Awards are given to one student from each area: humanities, social sciences and sciences.
Outstanding Leader in a Graduate Student Organization
This award recognizes a Georgetown University graduate student who has made outstanding contributions to the campus community by their leadership, programming endeavors, individual skills, volunteer activities, service and attitude in support of student activities as a member or leader of a group.
Distinguished Staff Award
This award recognizes a staff member who shows dedication to academic and personal well-being of graduate students. This encompasses providing guidance, knowledge, support and advocating on behalf of graduate students to improve the graduate community at Georgetown University.
Gerald M. Mara Faculty Mentoring Award
This award recognizes a faculty member who exemplifies the spirit of cura personalis — or “care of the person” — in aiding the academic and professional development of graduate students.
Spirit of Georgetown Award
There are many students throughout the Georgetown University community who work tirelessly to ensure that the university operates to the best of its ability. This award is presented to the graduate student who exemplifies personal character, a genuine care and concern for fellow students, as well as a selfless commitment to the betterment of others in the community.
This student is a true Hoya, embraces the Spirit of Georgetown and is a positive role model to their peers. The recipient(s) strive(s) to live the values of Georgetown University, its Jesuit identity and inclusive practices each and every day.
Outstanding Innovation by Faculty and Staff to Graduate and Professional Student Life
Presented to faculty or staff who have significantly impacted or extensively contributed to graduate and professional student life at Georgetown through outstanding service involvement in student life programs, initiatives, research or organizations. The award is not just for longstanding leaders; it is reserved for those who made significant positive contributions or improvements to the operations and functions of these programs, initiatives or organizations to the benefit of graduate and professional student life.
Cura Personalis Award
Georgetown is shaped by centuries of Jesuit education around the globe, which embraces the changing times while staying true to the university’s core values. This award will recognize graduate students who have exemplified the core values of “People for Others” and “Educating the Whole Person.” Recipients will be able to demonstrate their service through community-based learning; our local, national and international service projects; justice immersion programs; leadership through service and justice organizations; co-curricular life on campus; immersion trips; religious and humanistic engagement; and all the shared experiences of our community life.
Questions
Contact GradTeachingAwards@georgetown.edu with any questions about the awards or nomination process.