Laney Graduate School Awards

The Laney Award for Inclusive Excellence in Graduate Education acknowledges the extraordinary achievements of a faculty member who helps create an environment of inclusive excellence in graduate education. Examples include recruiting, retaining, and successfully matriculating students with graduate degrees who are historically or currently underrepresented in their field (individuals whose gender and/or racial and/or ethnic identities are underrepresented in their field, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and students and faculty with disabilities). The ideal nominee employs teaching and/or research strategies that advance inclusive excellence, engages in service activities that build a more inclusive graduate community, and/or produces effective strategies to address barriers that have prevented full participation of graduate students from historically or currently underrepresented groups in graduate fields and the profession.

• Eligibility: Nominee must be a current LGS faculty member

This award recognizes a director of graduate studies or program director who provides outstanding support for graduate programs and their students. Criteria for the award include

• Program Leadership: leading critical and thoughtful discussions regarding program innovation, excellence in recruitment, and student advocacy; cultivating and contributing to a climate of inclusion and support for faculty, students, and staff from diverse backgrounds with varied experiences.
• Student Development: providing students with constructive feedback and thoughtful guidance in dealing with academic challenges, defining professional goals, and accessing relevant resources; helping students develop a sense of voice, agency, and community within their academic program and their disciplinary field.
• Faculty/Staff Engagement: working with program faculty and staff to ensure clear and consistent communication, interpretation, and application of policies and procedures; promoting faculty input and discussion of graduate student concerns and ideas as related to program expectations and needs.

• Eligibility: Nominee must be an LGS master’s or doctoral DGS/PD who has served in the role during the 2025-2026 academic year

The Eleanor Main Graduate Faculty Mentor Award honors a current LGS graduate faculty member for providing exemplary mentorship to graduate students over the course of their entire graduate career. The award will be presented during the LGS diploma ceremony and includes a $5000 honorarium.

The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding faculty who are engaged in the Emory/LGS community, and academic or professional communities related to their discipline through mentorship. Nominations of graduate faculty will be accepted from Program Directors, Directors of Graduate Studies, Chairs of departments and programs, graduate faculty, or graduate students/mentees.

Nomination Process

Nominations will be accepted from program directors, directors of graduate studies, chairs of departments and programs, graduate faculty, graduate students and mentees (graduate and undergraduate).

A complete nomination packet should include:

• Nomination letter with the nominee’s full name, address, email address, phone number, graduate program, and a detailed description of the nominee’s mentoring achievements over his/her graduate student career
• Support letters, which demonstrate the nominee’s significant contributions to mentoring from graduate students and others, including students they teach (group letters with multiple signatures are preferred)
• Short version current CV (3 pages), of the nominee
• Table of mentees with the following information: name, type of degree program, mentoring role, duties of mentorship, and current position/location when relevant
• Complete nomination packages should be emailed as ONE PDF FILE

Criteria for Nomination

• Strong record of supervising and training LGS graduate students
• Excellence in mentoring, advising, and nurturing the careers of LGS graduate students
• Evidence of a remarkable time commitment to mentoring

The Provost's Distinguished Teaching Award for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Education honors outstanding scholars who excel as teachers within formal and informal educational settings. The Graduate and Professional School Teaching Award will be presented to one faculty member in each of the seven graduate and professional schools in acknowledgement of the key role of exceptional teaching in graduate and professional education.

The Provost's Distinguished Teaching Award for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Education is given annually and has been created to honor outstanding scholars who excel as teachers within formal and informal educational settings. The Professional and Graduate School Teaching Award will be presented to one faculty member in each of the seven graduate and professional schools in acknowledgement of the important role of exceptional teaching in graduate and professional education. Award recipients will receive a framed citation and $5,000 honorarium conferred at the school's diploma ceremony.

Award Criteria

Recipients will hold a record of sustained excellence and innovation in teaching. The award honors faculty who:

• Foster participation, inquiry, creative expression, and significant contributions within and beyond formal educational settings. Engage diverse students in ambitious learning.
• Dedicate themselves to advancing the art and science of teaching and learning (as evidenced, for example, by the development of courses and innovative curricula; leading workshops on pedagogy; utilizing innovative teaching approaches and technologies).
• Make significant contributions that impact and advance the university through teaching.
• Serve as mentors to students outside of formal classroom settings.
• Form effective mentoring and advising relationships with graduate/professional students.

Eligibility: Nominee must be a full-time, non-visiting LGS faculty member who is actively teaching during the 2025-2026 academic year. This award has specific guidelines and requirements.

Nomination Process

Nominations of graduate faculty will be accepted from program directors, directors of graduate studies, chairs of departments, graduate faculty, or graduate students (current or alumni).

A complete nomination should include

Nomination letter with the nominee's full name, address, email address, phone number, employee ID number, graduate program and primary academic appointment, and a detailed description of the nominee's teaching achievements (see award criteria above).

A complete, current CV of the nominee. Complete nomination packages should be uploaded as ONE PDF FILE.

Vulcan Materials Company sponsors the Vulcan Teaching Excellence Award, which recognizes an outstanding faculty member who demonstrates strong academic skills in the classroom and provides leadership and support in other areas of campus life.

The recipients are faculty who assist institutions in nurturing an academic climate that fosters teaching and who provide leadership to enhance the campus community. This recognition comes with a monetary award in the amount of $2,000.

The award is open to any full-time faculty member. Things to consider in nominating a faculty member are: classroom effectiveness, innovation in teaching, and engagement outside of the classroom with student groups and campus life.

Please submit one (1) nominee from your school or college who exemplifies this standard by sending the name of the faculty member, a link to the faculty member's bio, and one to two paragraph explanation through this form.

A final nomination for the faculty award will be selected by an LGS committee and submitted to the Office of the Provost for consideration.

The Exemplary Teacher of the Year Award, presented annually, is a faculty honor supported by the United Methodist Church's General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. In support of Emory's belief that "the intellectual and social energy that results from diversity is a primary asset of the university," special consideration should be given to nominees that reflect this commitment to inclusiveness.

Nominations are solicited from the members of the university community early in the calendar year. The recognition also comes with a monetary award of $10,000.

The selection criteria for the award include:

• Demonstration of exceptional teaching
• Recognized concern for students and colleagues, and sensitivity to the mission of the church-related university
• A record of significant contributions to the scholarly life of the university
• Commitment to high standards of professional and personal life

Nominations should include a letter highlighting the candidate's specific qualifications for this award, along with the nominee's CV, so that a final candidate for Emory may be identified.

The Laney Award for Inclusive Excellence in Graduate Education acknowledges students (from each academic division including masters’ students) who have made significant contributions to fostering an inclusive environment within graduate education. This award is focused on celebrating achievements that actively contribute to the recruitment and success of underrepresented groups in graduate education. Nominees are typically students who, through their teaching, research, or service, create more inclusive spaces for those who are historically or currently underrepresented in their field.

The ideal nominee works to support students who identify as underrepresented based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, religious affiliation, or other characteristics. They engage in service activities that promote inclusivity in the graduate community while also helping to develop and implement strategies to remove barriers for historically marginalized groups and helping them participate fully in graduate education and their respective professions.

This award is an important acknowledgment of the work that helps dismantle barriers and supports the success and inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives within graduate programs.

• Eligibility: Nominee must be a current LGS master’s or doctoral student.

The Laney Outstanding Graduate Student Award for Teaching and Learning honors a student teaching assistant, teaching associate, or instructor who demonstrates extraordinary dedication and excellence in teaching. Nominees for this award should exhibit exceptional experience in several key areas including:

• Excelling in creating inclusive learning environments by actively supporting students from diverse backgrounds and ensuring that all students feel valued and respected.
• Demonstrating strong mentorship and peer support by providing guidance on teaching strategies, sharing insights into academic success, and contributing to the development of a collaborative and inclusive teaching community.
• Employing innovative teaching practices by integrating creative methods that enhance student learning.
• Providing timely, constructive, and actionable feedback to students, helping them improve and succeed academically.
• Showing a commitment to continuous improvement by actively seeking opportunities for professional development, attending workshops, seeking feedback, and experimenting with new approaches to enhance teaching skills.
• Supporting student success outside the classroom by offering office hours, study sessions, and additional support to ensure students have the resources they need to thrive. Being approachable and invested in the academic growth of each student.
• Encouraging critical thinking and scholarly growth by fostering an environment where students can engage in meaningful dialogue, challenge ideas, and build intellectual skills essential for academic and professional development.
• Eligibility: Nominees must be an LGS master’s or doctoral student who has served as a Teaching Assistant, Teaching Associate, or Graduate Instructor at Emory during the 2025-2026 academic year. 

The Laney Outstanding Master’s Student Award recognizes exceptional achievement in master’s studies. Nominees for this award demonstrate outstanding contributions to their field, showcasing a deep commitment to academic and professional growth. These contributions may include groundbreaking research, innovative projects, or other accomplishments that significantly advance knowledge or practice in their discipline. Nominees may be students in the master’s year of their 4+1 program.

• Eligibility: Nominee must be a current LGS master’s student

The Laney Outstanding Doctoral Student Award recognizes the superior scholarly research of Laney doctoral students in each academic division. Nominees should demonstrate significant contributions to their field through research that showcases creativity, innovation, and a strong potential for impact. Nominees’ research or scholarly work not only advances academic knowledge but also has a transformative impact on their field, demonstrates innovative approaches, and actively engages with the public to broaden the reach and significance of their work.

• Eligibility: Nominee must be an LGS doctoral student.

The Eleanor Main Graduate Student Mentor Award annually honors a master’s or doctoral student for providing exemplary mentorship to others, including peer graduate students and students they teach and supervise during their graduate career.

• Eligibility: Nominee must be an LGS graduate (master’s or doctoral) student graduating between August 2025 and May 2026. This award has specific guidelines and requirements, including requiring a CV for submission.

The Laney Outstanding Program Administrator Award recognizes a Graduate Program Administrator who consistently provides exceptional support for graduate programs, students, faculty, and other key constituents. Criteria for the award include:

• A proven track record of being forward-thinking, creative, and solution- oriented and exhibiting a high level of enthusiasm and commitment to graduate education in the Laney Graduate School.
• Demonstrating a willingness to go above and beyond to ensure student success and promote a culture of teamwork and collaboration.
• Contributing to a positive workplace environment by interacting with colleagues and students in a friendly and responsive manner
• Eligibility: Nominee must be a Program Administrator of an LGS master’s or doctoral program who has served in the role during the 2025-2026 academic year 

The Laney Outstanding Staff Award recognizes and celebrates a high-performing LGS staff member who consistently provides exceptional administrative support, demonstrates outstanding work performance in their respective position, and contributes to the overall success of the Laney Graduate School. Criteria for the award include:

• A proven track record of being forward-thinking, creative, and solution-oriented when confronted with work challenges or a need for improvement.
• Contributing to a positive workplace environment by interacting with colleagues and/or students in a friendly and responsive manner and successfully working alongside others to promote a culture of teamwork, while displaying a genuine interest in working with others to produce positive work results.
• A deep commitment to their role and a willingness to go above and beyond, demonstrates dedication to their work, and exhibits a high level of enthusiasm and commitment to serving Laney Graduate School, the public and university colleagues.
• Eligibility: Nominee must be a current member of the LGS staff. Program Administrators are not eligible for this award.

The Laney Early Career Alumni Award recognizes a recent graduate of a Laney Graduate School program who has distinguished themselves in service to their fields of endeavor, to Emory, and to society in general.

Nominees must have received a degree from the Laney Graduate School in 2020 or sooner and have demonstrated significant strides as an emerging leader within their field, community, and/or society at large. There should be some discernible connection between the nominees’ contributions and their graduate program at Laney.

• Eligibility: Nominee must be an LGS alum (master’s or doctoral) whose degree was conferred between 2020 and 2025

The Laney Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes a graduate of a Laney Graduate School program who has distinguished themselves in service to their fields of endeavor, to Emory, and to society in general.

Nominees must have received a degree from Laney Graduate School in 2019 or earlier and have made a distinctive contribution (broadly defined) to their field, community, and/or society at large. There should be some discernible connection between the nominees’ contributions and their graduate program at Laney.

• Eligibility: Nominee must be an LGS alum (master’s or doctoral) whose degree was conferred in 2019 or earlier.