This award is presented to a full-time graduate student/graduate assistant studying at the master’s or doctoral degree level in any program who has greatly contributed to the admissions, orientation, or first-year experience programs at his/her institution; to the research and scholarship of these areas; and/or to professional practice in these areas. Nomination must include a letter of support from a faculty member or graduate assistantship/internship supervisor, which conveys academic success (i.e., GPA, satisfactory progress toward degree), verifies the nominee’s primary role at the institution as a graduate student/graduate assistant, and describes the students contributions in, but not limited to, any of the following areas:

• Significant contributions to the academic study of admissions, orientation, and first-year experience through papers (e.g., thesis, dissertation), research and assessment projects, and publication.

• Outstanding service/special contributions to admissions, orientation, or first-year experience programs within his/her own system through graduate assistantships, internships, and practica.
• Contributions made above and beyond normal expectations to the institution or the profession (i.e., committee membership, participation in professional organizations, community service)
• Experiences in fostering inclusiveness and appreciation of differences.

The nomination for individual awards should be no longer than 3 pages (750 – 1,500 words)