The Graduate School, with assistance from the President’s Office, sponsors this annual award to recognize outstanding faculty mentoring of graduate students.
The relationship between a graduate student and a faculty advisor can have a profound, lifelong influence on both parties. At its best, this mentoring relationship inspires and gives confidence to the student while providing the faculty member with a valued colleague.
The Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award allows us to honor those members of the faculty who exemplify excellence in graduate education. A single award, accompanied by $5,000 in discretionary funds that may be used to support the awardee’s scholarly activities, is given and presented at the annual Awards of Excellence Ceremony in conjunction with other University-wide awards.
More about the Landolt Awards
Criteria Used in Evaluating Nominees
- Actively recruits and supports students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and fosters an environment where all students can thrive academically and professionally.
- Actively seeks financial support for students’ graduate study and research, particularly for students with greater need.
- Provides holistic support by understanding and addressing students’ academic, economic, personal and social challenges.
- Engages and supports students with varied experiences, perspective and academic interests.
- Communicates effectively with students and is interested in their personal and professional development, in addition to their development as students.
- Is accessible for advice and assistance, whether the student is in residence, on leave, is or is not “one of theirs”.
- Clearly articulates expectations and holds students to high standards.
- Opens students’ minds to new concepts and values.
- Provides intellectual leadership and a good model of professionalism.
- Respects students’ goals and encourages students to work towards them.
- Acts as an advocate, helping students to overcome academic, professional, and personal challenges.
- Actively involves students from a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives in teaching, research, publications, training, and professional conferences, ensuring equitable access to opportunities and fostering an inclusive academic environment.
- Helps students to ‘network’ with other relevant professionals and faculty.
- Assists students with career preparation and alerts students to career opportunities; helps students secure post-degree employment.
- Provides assistance with post-degree professional work.
- Has a positive impact on the graduate student culture within the department, program, or school.