What is the Excellence in Teaching Award?

The Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) is soliciting nominations for the Excellence in Teaching Award in recognition of graduate students who exemplify excellence in the teaching/learning mission of their university.

Two awards have been created to recognize the importance of excellence in teaching and mentoring as a component of graduate education and the preparation of graduate students for future service as college and university faculty. One award will be given to a doctoral student and one to a master’s student.

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION WINDOW?

The 2025 nomination window will open September 16, 2024. The submission deadline is December 6, 2024 by 5:00pm central time.

Deadline extensions will not be granted; late submissions will not be accepted.

What IS THE AWARD?

$500 honorarium and nomination to the MAGS’ annual Excellence in Teaching Award competition.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Program Nomination required. Please reach out to your Director of Graduate Studies or Graduate Program Coordinator.

A Graduate Program may submit one nomination for a master’s student and one nomination for a doctoral student. Programs submit a single PDF for each nominee of all application materials to [email protected] by the deadline.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

  • Letter of Support from the Department Chair or Head, see details below
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Nominee’s Teaching Portfolio, maximum of six (6) pages, see details below

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

  • Master’s or doctoral students registered in the University of Minnesota Graduate School during the 2024-25 academic year
  • Hold a graduate student teaching appointment during the 2024 calendar year (e.g. Spring 2024, Summer 2024, and/or Fall 2024)

Further Information

For more information about internal review and nomination procedures, please contact your Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) or designated program support staff. If you have additional questions, contact the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards.

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LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM DEPARTMENT CHAIR/HEAD

Expectations of content
 

Include a description of any departmental honors awarded to the student for excellence in teaching

NOMINEE’S TEACHING PORTFOLIO REQUIRED CONTENT

Expectations of content
 

Maximum of six (6) pages double spaced, 12-point font, must include the following components (A - E) as headers. Applicants can reference this document for detailed instructions about each component.

a. Teaching Philosophy and Practice

b. Course Design

c. Teaching in Action Video
          i. Electronic link to YouTube video (see instructions)

d. Evidence of Effective Student/Colleague Mentoring

e. Evidence of Professional Development 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the review and selection considerations?
 

Selection criteria is based on the national guidelines.