About the Annual Graduate Student Recognition and Awards Ceremony
The annual Graduate Student Recognition and Awards Ceremony acknowledges and celebrates the contributions of graduate and professional students to the University of South Carolina and the larger Carolina community. Graduate students are nominated for the awards by their professors, faculty, advisors, peers, friends, or colleagues.
Each year, the selection committee, comprised of representatives from the Graduate Student Association (GSA), the Graduate School, and graduate education stakeholders, receives over 150 applications and nominations across all 13 colleges at USC.
2023 Awards Ceremony: Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 6:15 p.m., Russell House Ballroom
Deadline for Award Nominations: March 15, 2023
Below is the complete list of Graduate Student Association Awards and their corresponding nomination instructions. The 2023 nomination process is open until Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
Please direct questions for these awards to Gaurav Harshe, harshe@sc.edu.
GSA Awards
Doctoral Student Achievement Award (Overall Award) (1 award)
Winners judged by: The Graduate School
Essential Criteria
1. Be an emerging scholar, currently pursuing a doctorate (or post-Masters) degree at UofSC.
2. Must have actively participated in research (published/presented at least 2 conference/journal paper).
3. Must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of the application
3. Must have served as a Teaching Assistant/ Instructor of Record or Grader, for at least 1 semester.
4. Served in a leadership position in a student organization on campus.
5. Must not have received the award in past years.
Optional
1. Incorporated new techniques in research/teaching in lieu of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Participated in a service activity that benefited the Carolina Community.
3. Served as a peer-mentor to undergraduate/graduate students at UofSC.
4. Participated in the Preparing Future Faculty program (or another similar program).
*Students graduating in Spring/Summer 2023 are highly encouraged to apply for the overall awards.
Nomination Process
Please submit your nomination materials as a combined pdf (letter, resume, or supporting
documents) to Gaurav Harshe, harshe@sc.edu with the GSA award name and nominee name in the subject line.
Master’s Student Achievement Award (Overall Award) (1 award)
Winners judged by: The Graduate School
Essential Criteria
1. Be an emerging scholar/practitioner, currently pursuing a Master’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
2. Actively participated in research, teaching, or service activity commensurate to the program/field of study.
3. Participated in state, regional, national, or international conferences, meetings or competitions, etc. while pursuing the Master’s degree.
4. Must not have received the award in past years.
Optional
1. Incorporated new techniques in research/teaching in lieu of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Actively participated in a service activity that benefited the Carolina Community.
3. Served in a leadership position or been a member of a student organization on campus.
4. Published/Presented at a journal/conference.
5. Served as a Grader, or a Teaching Assistant, or an Instructor of Record.
*Students graduating in Spring/Summer 2023 are highly encouraged to apply for the overall awards.
Nomination Process
Please submit your nomination materials as a combined pdf (letter, resume, or supporting
documents) to Gaurav Harshe, harshe@sc.edu with the GSA award name and nominee name in the subject line.
Essential Criteria
1. Be an emerging scholar, currently pursuing a graduate degree at UofSC.
2. Must have been a current graduate student at UofSC for at least a semester.
3. Must be a member of a marginalized identity group (incl. Race, gender identity, sexuality, ability, nontraditional student status, parent, etc. This has a very wide definition).
4.Must demonstrate vocal support for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
5. Must not have received the award in past years.
Optional
1. Ideally a member of an organization or campus group related to diversity. Especially encouraged are people who represent the minority in their area of study as well (Women in STEM, etc.).
Nomination Process
Please submit your nomination materials as a combined pdf (letter, resume, or supporting
documents) to Gaurav Harshe, harshe@sc.edu with the GSA award name and nominee name in the subject line.
Outstanding Graduate Student Researcher Award (1 award)
Winners judged by: University Libraries
Essential Criteria
1. Be an emerging scholar, currently pursuing a graduate degree involving research.
2. Must have been a current graduate student at UofSC for at least a semester.
3. Provide evidence of current involvement in research activities and long-term commitment to a research career.
4. The candidate must have published or should be in the process of publishing a journal article or other research work.
5. Must have undergone research training or be currently involved in research training.
6. Must not have received the award in past years.
Optional
1. In areas where research grants and contracts are an important part of the research effort, there must be unambiguous evidence that the applicant has been competitive for such grants at the national and/or international level.
2. Individuals can describe the contributions their research is expected to make toward advancing the individual’s program of research.
Nomination Process
Please submit your nomination materials as a combined pdf (letter, resume, or supporting
documents) to Gaurav Harshe, harshe@sc.edu with the GSA award name and nominee name in the subject line.
Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Assistant Award (1 award)
Winner judged by: Center for Teaching Excellence
Essential Criteria
1. Be an emerging scholar, currently pursuing a graduate degree involving teaching.
2. Must have been a current graduate student at UofSC for at least a semester.
3. Must have taught as a graduate student at UofSC (this includes, but is not limited to, Instructor of Record, Teaching Assistant, labs, tutoring, private lessons).
4. Application demonstrates dedication to quality instruction and student engagement.
5. Application highlights what sets applicant apart as a quality educator.
6. Must not have received the award in past years.
Optional
1. Application features a clear teaching philosophy.
2. Be a part of the Teaching Online for Graduate Students program.
3. Obtained, or making progress towards appropriate certifications from CTE.
4. Special consideration will be given to those who had to teach through difficulties related to the pandemic.
Nomination Process
Please submit your nomination materials as a combined pdf (letter, resume, or supporting
documents) to Gaurav Harshe, harshe@sc.edu with the GSA award name and nominee name in the subject line.
Outstanding International Graduate Student Award (1 award)
Winner judged by: International Student and Scholar Support (ISSS)
Essential Criteria
1.Be an emerging scholar, currently pursuing a graduate degree at UofSC.
2. Must have been a current graduate student at UofSC for at least a semester.
3. Should not be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
4. Application describes a committed, available, and energetic international community partner.
5.Student should be a representation/example of the international student community academically and socially.
6. Must not have received the award in past years.
Optional
1. Be a Garnet Gate registered member of at least one international organization.
2. Have additionally volunteered, contributed, or attended at least one of ISSS community building initiatives.
Nomination Process
Please submit your nomination materials as a combined pdf (letter, resume, or supporting
documents) to Gaurav Harshe, harshe@sc.edu with the GSA award name and nominee name in the subject line.