The CSCC Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award recognizes and honors a member of the faculty who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and excellence in mentoring students. This prestigious award celebrates faculty who go above and beyond to provide invaluable guidance, support, and inspiration to their mentees, positively impacting their academic, personal, and professional development. The recipient of this award exemplifies the spirit of mentorship and serves as an inspiration to others in the academic community. The faculty member receives USD500 and a certificate attesting to this award at the CSCC annual conference.

Eligibility:

• All full-time DKU faculty members affiliated with the CSCC are eligible for nomination.
• Faculty with at least two years of service to DKU at the time of nomination.
• No individual may receive the award more than once within three years.

Nomination Process:

• Nominations can be made by students, fellow faculty members, or university staff members who have directly observed or experienced the nominee’s mentorship.
• The nominator shall submit a formal letter of nomination highlighting the reasons for the nomination and the impact of the nominee’s mentorship on the nominator or others. The letter should provide specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate the nominee’s exceptional mentoring qualities.
• Nominees may also self-nominate and provide supporting letters from mentees.
• The letter should be submitted as a PDF, addressed to the CSCC Award Committee, and sent to Ms. Chi Zhang, the program coordinator of the CSCC.
• All nominees will be contacted and asked to submit supporting materials such as a Curriculum Vita and a personal statement addressing their mentoring philosophy, approach, and the significance of mentorship in their academic career.

Important Dates for AY 23/24:

Nomination Letter Submission Deadline: September 22, 2023
Submission of supporting materials: October 6, 2023
Notification of Recipient: The name of the recipient will be announced via the CSCC email listserv prior to the Annual Conference.

Criteria for Selection:

The recipient is selected by the CSCC Award Committee consisting of faculty representatives from the research clusters and faculty members from Duke University. The recipient of the CSCC Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award will be selected based on the following five criteria:

1. Commitment to Mentoring: The extent to which the faculty member has consistently and effectively engaged in mentoring activities and demonstrated genuine care for the personal and academic development of their mentees.

2. Impact on Student Success: Evidence of the faculty member’s mentoring contributions that have led to positive outcomes in the mentees’ academic performance, research accomplishments, career development, and overall well-being.

3. Accessibility and Approachability: The faculty member’s availability and willingness to provide guidance, support, and constructive feedback to students, creating an inclusive and nurturing mentorship environment.

4. Advocacy and Networking: Demonstrated efforts by the faculty member to advocate for their mentees, helping them build professional networks and connections within and beyond the academic community.

5. Innovation and Adaptability: Recognition of the faculty member’s innovative approaches to mentoring, adapting to the diverse needs of their mentees and fostering an inclusive and empowering mentorship experience.

The CSCC Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award celebrates the invaluable role faculty mentors play in shaping the lives and futures of their students. By recognizing exceptional mentors, we aim to inspire a culture of mentorship excellence and foster an environment where mentorship is celebrated and valued across the academic community.