Student Support Award

Graduate Teaching Award for Student Support

Eligibility

Every Rice graduate student who assisted an Instructor of Record in the Fall of 2023, Spring of 2024, or the Summer of 2024 is eligible for the 2025 Graduate Teaching Award for Student Support. This award was designed to recognize graduate students who have distinguished themselves in the support they provide to undergraduate students as teaching assistants (whether during class, recitations, or office hours). To be considered, graduate students must provide contact information for one undergraduate student who will be able to describe the support offered by the applicant.

Timeline

October 15th — First-Round Applications Due (submit application via the link below)
December 5 — Finalists Selected; Candidates Notified
February 1 — Undergraduate Letter of Support Due (submit via link provided by email)
March 10 — Winner Selected; Candidates Notified
April 24, 2025 — Winner Honored at University Awards Ceremony

Application Form

Applications are due no later than 11:59PM and deadlines are listed under the timeline.

The initial application should include the following three items to be considered complete:

  • A completed application form
  • A summary of the following areas (1-2 paragraphs per area), attached to the application form:
    • Brief statement of teaching philosophy
    • Description of course, learning outcomes, and students
    • Description of support provided to students
    • Example(s) of evidence-based practices
    • Evidence of impact (e.g., changes in student learning and engagement, students' responses)
  • Contact information for one undergraduate student who will be able to describe the support you offered. We strongly recommend that you contact the student first to make sure they are willing to support your application.

Please submit your response as a single PDF file using this file name format: Lastname_Firstname_student_support.pdf

If you are selected as a finalist, we will ask the undergraduate student to submit a letter in support of your application. They will have until 11:59PM to submit their letter through a link provided in the notification email.

Review of Application Materials

We recognize that the support you offered your students depends on your disciplinary context and the role you had in the course. When evaluating your application, the committee will look for evidence of contributions that promoted positive rapport with students, impacted student learning and/or engagement, and were grounded in evidence-based practices and your own teaching philosophy.

To apply, click the APPLY link, complete the application form, and attach your summary.

APPLY