Graduate Student Awards
The Graduate Degree Program in Ecology recognizes our students outstanding work with three awards. Please see below for the descriptions.
Ecology students can apply directly or be nominated by other students or faculty members. Applications and nominations will be evaluated equally.
All graduate students enrolled in the Ecology program at the time of application/nomination are eligible and awards will be given for activities occurring during the previous two years. Awardees will be selected by an ad hoc subset of the GDPE Executive Committee with formal recognition and awards presented at the Spring Picnic. Awardees will receive a plaque recognizing their accomplishments, as well as a small monetary award.
Application packets should be emailed to [email protected].
Please compile the materials into a single pdf, and use a file name of:
Award_Lastname (e.g., ExcellenceInMentoring_Carson).
Please include this Cover Sheet with all applications.
Outstanding Publication Award
This award is given in recognition of an exceptional peer-reviewed paper with an Ecology student as the first author.
Criteria:
- Good standing in the program (including annual report submitted)
- At the time of application, the paper must be published or accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal
- The paper will be evaluated based on its contribution to the field, in terms of originality, study design, synthesis, and/or impact in ecology and related fields
Application/Nomination Packet:
- Cover sheet
- A statement of maximum one page that explains the importance of the paper to the specific discipline.
- A pdf of the paper.
Excellence in Mentoring or Teaching Award
This is given in recognition of outstanding mentoring or teaching activities conducted at CSU or in other academic institutions.
Criteria:
- Good standing in the program (annual report submitted)
- Evidence of high-quality teaching, mentoring, or both. For example:
- improving student or mentee learning
- helping shape career opportunities and choices
- evidence of developing inclusive mentorship/teaching methods (e.g. incorporating diverse perspectives into course content, offering various perspectives in case studies, ensuring learning materials are accessible to all)
Application/Nomination Packet:
- Cover sheet
- A statement of maximum one page that describes the applicant’s specific merit as a teacher or mentor. The statement may include quotes from students, mentors, and mentees, who can testify to the merit of the applicant.
Broadening Participation in Ecology Award
This award is given in recognition of contributions of an individual, or a student team, toward making the field of ecology more diverse, equitable, and inclusive through mentoring or engagement. Individual awards will be $100, and team awards will be $200.
Criteria:
- Good standing in the program (annual report submitted by all GDPE team members)
- Evidence of effective activities that broaden participation in ecology and related fields.
Application/Nomination Packet:
- Cover sheet
- A statement of maximum one page describing activities that broaden participation in ecology. The statement may include quotes from those who have benefited from the activities undertaken by the applicant(s).
- If the team is larger than 2 people, a short statement of how the financial award will be distributed across the team is required.