The Office of Graduate Affairs’ Outstanding Graduate Student Awards celebrate the excellence of our Radford students in a variety of categories: Outstanding Graduate Student, Outstanding Doctoral Student, Outstanding Graduate Assistant, Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant, Outstanding Graduate Teaching Fellow. In 2026, prizes will be $1,000 for winners in each category.
A timeline for nominations, applications, and award announcements along with nomination criteria and a link to nominate a student follow. Students may self nominate.
Timeline:
Nominations are due: November 17, 2025
Application is due (by student applicant): March 4, 2026
Application review, round 1: March 4-6, 2026
Finalists' application review round 2: March 6-20, 2026
Winners are announced: March 20, 2026
The Awards: Friday, April 17, 2026
Nomination Criteria
1. A nominee must be a degree seeking graduate student at Radford University and possess a record of superior accomplishment that reflects strongly the mission and vision of the Office of Graduate Affairs. A nominee’s accomplishments will be judged in relation to the nature/type of their nominating category. Recipients will be selected from across all academic colleges at Radford University.
2. A nominee must possess a record of superior accomplishment in the various areas described below that correspond with their award category. The award categories are:
| Award Category | Three Areas of Superior Accomplishment |
| Outstanding Graduate Student |
|
| Outstanding Doctoral Graduate Student |
|
| Outstanding Graduate Assistant |
|
| Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant |
|
| Outstanding Graduate Teaching Fellow |
|
Graduate Academic Record (Graduate Students & Graduate Assistants ONLY):
A record of superior accomplishment in their ACADEMIC RECORD. This is exhibited by
their work and progress within their program of study. Students must exhibit superior
accomplishments through their graduate transcripts (unofficial transcripts are allowed).
Evaluation of graduate academic record may be augmented by the students’ narrative
and professors’ support letters.
Graduate Research:
A record of superior accomplishment in GRADUATE RESEARCH should contain clear and
compelling evidence related to: (i) scholarly works (objective, subjective and/or
artistic); and (ii) scholarly activities (e.g., presentations, publications).
Teaching (Graduate Teaching Assistant and Graduate Teaching Fellow ONLY):
A record of superior accomplishment in TEACHING should contain clear and compelling
evidence related to: (i) instruction; and (ii) student development and learning (the
promotion of success for all students).
Professional Development (PD):
A record of superior accomplishment in PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT containing evidence
of participation in PD that goes beyond of the required coursework. Students should
be able to demonstrate the desire for further knowledge, education, and growth. The
applicants are required to participate and to provide certificates of completion for
at least five PD opportunities offered through the Office of Graduate Affairs as described
in the list of PDs, or other verified PDs offered through students' departments, colleges, professional
state, regional, and national organizations.
3. A nominee’s record of superior accomplishment must demonstrate clear and compelling evidence of the nature, level and/or degree of a nominee’s: (i) involvement/participation; (ii) effectiveness/success; (iii) impact/achievement; and (iv) recognition/acknowledgment in the areas of research, teaching, and professional development. The nature, level, and/or degree of this evidence also must be reflective of Radford University’s mission and vision statements.
Application Submissions
1. Format of Application Package
a. Application submissions must be prepared using: (i) standard 8.5x11-in. page size; (ii) standard one-inch margins; (iii) at least single spacing; (iv) size 12 font; and (v) Arial font style.
b. Applications must be submitted by electronic copy, in PDF format to gradaffairs@radford.edu.
c. Complete each of the six required sections of the application package (see 2. below). The application package must not exceed its prescribed maximum page limit and the PDF must be named using the following formula: LASTNAME_CATEGORY.PDF
d. Please note that the full application package for each of the applicant may be posted publicly on the Radford website. Please do not include personal information (including Social Security number, home address or personal telephone numbers) on any page.
2. Contents of the Application Package (10-page maximum)
a. Nomination Form. The signature page provided herein must be completed and submitted as the cover page of the application package. It is not included in the page limit. Do not alter the Nomination Form by adding or removing any section(s).
b. Summary of Accomplishments (two-page maximum). The major highlights of the nominee's record of accomplishment must be identified and briefly described in a summary. This must directly address the nomination criteria and corresponding areas of accomplishments. The amount of space/attention given to each area to the corresponding accomplishments (graduate academic record, graduate research, teaching, and professional development) should be reflective of their academic responsibilities, employment at Radford University, and the Office of Graduate Affairs' mission and vision. The summary may be prepared using bulleted sections; complete sentences are not required. Third-person perspective is suggested.
c. Personal Statement (two-page maximum). The nominee must prepare a personal statement addressing: the distribution of their responsibilities across their specified areas of accomplishment, professional/educational philosophy, and any other information deemed relevant by the nominee. Restating accomplishments discussed in the summary section should be avoided as much as possible. It is suggested that the personal statement be presented as a first-person narrative in complete sentences.
d. Full Curriculum Vitae (two-page maximum). A CV outlines the nominee's education, teaching experience, scholarly works and activities, public and academic service, awards, and other significant contributions.
e. Two Letters of Support. These letters should come from faculty mentors familiar with the student accomplishments and who can elucidate their exceptional character for the judges.
f. Supplemental Materials. These are transcripts and certificates of completion. They are not included in the page limit.
Nomination Stipulations
1. Submissions will be rejected if they are: (a) incomplete; (b) in violation of the format or content guidelines; or (c) contain plagiarism of any kind. However, such a submission may be corrected and resubmitted by the nominator if it is possible to do so by the deadline.