Graduate College Excellence in Mentoring Awards

Graduate Faculty Award

Nominees for the faculty award must:

• Be full-time graduate faculty at Boise State University.
• Have a demonstrated record of mentoring graduate students at the master’s and/or doctoral level.

Previous recipients of the Graduate Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award are not eligible for nomination again for three academic years. Faculty who previously received an Honorable Mention remain eligible.

Graduate Student Award

Nominees for the graduate student award must:

• Be full-time Boise State graduate students during the nomination year.
• Have significant experience mentoring undergraduate students.

Peer mentoring (graduate student-to-graduate student) is not considered for this award.

Graduate Faculty Award

Graduate faculty nominations are evaluated across four dimensions of graduate mentoring, with attention to the overall strength and impact of the nominee’s mentoring.

1. Academic Mentoring & Student Progress – Supporting students’ academic development and timely degree progress
2. Learning Environment & Mentoring Practices – Establishing effective, respectful, and growth-oriented mentoring relationships
3. Professional Development & Career Preparation – Preparing students for scholarly, professional, and post-degree success
4. Personal Support & Professional Conduct – Demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and sustained commitment to mentees

Detailed descriptions and illustrative examples for each area are provided in the downloadable Faculty Award Criteria & Examples PDF.

Graduate Student Award

Graduate student nominations are evaluated across four dimensions of undergraduate mentoring, with attention to the overall strength and impact of the nominee’s mentoring.

1. Academic Support & Skill Development – Helping undergraduate mentees build academic skills and effective learning habits
2. Mentoring Practices & Learning Environment – Providing structured, supportive, and respectful mentoring
3. Professional & Educational Development – Supporting exploration of academic pathways and future goals
4. Personal Qualities & Role Modeling – Demonstrating professionalism, reliability, and commitment to mentee success

Detailed descriptions and illustrative examples for each area are provided in the downloadable Student Award Criteria & Examples PDF.

Graduate Faculty Award

Nomination Materials: At a Glance

A complete Graduate Faculty Award nomination includes:

• Two letters of support representing different perspectives
  • One from faculty peers and/or administrators
  • One from current or former graduate students
• A curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages) highlighting graduate mentoring activities

Required Materials

Detailed award criteria and illustrative examples for letter writing are provided in the downloadable Faculty Award Criteria & Examples PDF.

1. Letter from Faculty Peers or Administrators (maximum 2 pages)

• Must be written by one or more faculty colleagues and/or academic administrators familiar with the nominee’s graduate mentoring.
• This letter should address the nominee’s effectiveness and impact as a graduate mentor and provide specific examples aligned with the published award criteria.

2. Letter from Current or Former Graduate Students (maximum 2 pages)

• Must be written by one or more current or former graduate students mentored by the nominee.
• This letter should describe the nominee’s mentoring impact from the graduate student perspective, including concrete examples of mentoring practices and support aligned with the published award criteria.

3. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 3 pages)

The CV should highlight graduate mentoring-related activities and accomplishments, such as:

• Graduate advising or supervision roles
• Student outcomes (e.g., degree completion, presentations, publications)
• Mentoring-related service or leadership

Graduate Student Award

Nomination Materials: At a Glance

A complete Graduate Student Award nomination includes:

• Two letters of support representing different perspectives
  • One from faculty mentors or supervisors
  • One from undergraduate mentees
• A curriculum vitae highlighting mentoring roles and activities

Note: Because undergraduate students do not receive the nomination announcement directly, faculty nominators are responsible for notifying undergraduate mentees and requesting their participation.

Required Materials 

Detailed award criteria and illustrative examples for letter writing are provided in the downloadable Student Award Criteria & Examples PDF.

1. Letter from Faculty Mentors or Supervisors (maximum 2 pages)

• Must be written by one or more faculty members familiar with the nominee’s mentoring of undergraduate students.
• This letter should describe the nominee’s mentoring effectiveness and impact, with specific examples aligned with the published award criteria.

2. Letter from Undergraduate Mentees (maximum 2 pages)

• Must be written by one or more undergraduate students mentored by the nominee. 
• This letter should describe the nominee’s mentoring impact from the undergraduate student perspective, including specific examples of mentoring practices and role modeling aligned with the published award criteria.

3. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 3 pages)

The CV should highlight mentoring-related roles and activities, such as:

• Undergraduate mentoring, teaching, or instructional support roles
• Research, lab, or project supervision
• Peer leadership or mentoring-related service

How Nominations Are Reviewed

Nominations are evaluated using a criterion-based scoring process that considers the overall strength and impact of the nominee’s mentoring.

Reviewers assess evidence across four main criteria specific to each award. The descriptions and examples listed under each criterion are intended to illustrate the types of mentoring practices and impacts that may be demonstrated, rather than to serve as required elements. Not all examples must be addressed in every nomination. 

Nominations are evaluated based solely on the submitted nomination materials. No additional or external materials will be considered.

Final award decisions reflect reviewers’ scores and an overall assessment of mentoring impact and alignment with the award’s purpose.

Submission Requirements

• Nominations originate at the department or program level.
• Nominations are reviewed by an interdisciplinary selection committee composed of faculty and/or administrators.
• All nomination materials must be submitted as a single PDF document.

Guidance for Letter Writers

• Group letters are permitted and should clearly list the names and roles of all contributors.
• Letters should provide specific examples of mentoring practices and impact rather than general praise alone.
• Letters should address distinct perspectives based on the writer’s role (e.g., faculty, administrator, student).
• Letters should not exceed 2 pages (approximately 1,000 words) to support equitable and efficient review.