Each spring, the Graduate Student & Faculty Excellence Awards honor the dedication, passion, and hard work of our graduate students and faculty. Nominated by students, staff, and faculty, award recipients are recognized for their exceptional contributions to the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Student Awards
Nominated by student’s faculty, student’s course instructor, or a community mentor
Purpose:
This award honors Graduate Students of high integrity who have a record of service to the Department, their respective college, School of Graduate and Professional Studies or the University, and can demonstrate that their service has reflected the “Owl Spirit” of our social justice campus, has had a significant impact on the SCSU campus or wider community, and has influenced positive change. They will have shown exemplary leadership qualities during the academic year and demonstrated strong advocacy for the SCSU community.
Eligibility:
Nominees must be SCSU graduate students who…
- Are in good academic standing.
- Have completed at least 9 credits of graduate-level courses in an approved program of study.
Nomination Process:
Students may be nominated by the student’s faculty advisor, a student’s course instructor, or a community mentor who has been in direct contact with the student and is familiar with the student’s exemplary leadership through a specific project or organization, or a self-nomination.
Submission Portfolio:
- Letter of nomination from their faculty advisor, peer, or self.
- CV/resume
- One letter of support from an individual who had direct contact related to the service and can speak to the leadership qualities the candidate exhibited and/or developed.
***Note: The evaluation committee will use impact of leadership, advocacy and commitment to social justice, exemplary leadership, support from faculty and mentors and quality of portfolio in its deliberations.
Deadlines:
Form Submission – Friday, February 20, 2026
Awards Announced on Friday, March 13, 2026
Awards Event March 25, 2026 3 – 5:30 PM
Awarded to a master’s student
Nominated by student’s department chairperson, thesis advisor, or Grad Coordinator
Purpose:
This award encourages high-level graduate scholarship by recognizing distinction in research and writing as demonstrated by the submission of an exceptional master’s thesis or a capstone experience that exhibits excellence in methodology and substance, superior writing and organization, creativity, makes a recognizable contribution to scholarship in the field, and has potential for publication.
Eligibility:
Nominated students must have completed…
- A thesis submitted to meet the capstone requirement for an approved program of study
- A thesis that will be submitted in its final form by May 1 for a degree to be awarded in May of the same year (Spring ’26)
- A creative activity/project that is recognized as a master’s thesis for completion of a program.
Nomination Process:
The Department Chairperson, Thesis Advisor, or Grad Coordinators may make nominations for this award.
Submission Portfolio: Please Submit all of the documents below on a single form.
- Nomination letter from either the thesis advisor, department chair, or graduate coordinator describing the characteristics of the thesis/capstone project that make it outstanding and commenting on its originality, quality of scholarship and other factors that denote excellence. Significant progress towards completion is required.
- At least one letter of support from either the thesis advisor, department chair or graduate coordinator (whichever did not nominate the thesis), student advisor, committee member or other professional with a direct relationship with the thesis under review.
- While at least one letter of support is required, additional letters of support can be submitted to help build a more complete picture of the thesis.
- One page summary of the thesis and a summary of thesis progress with an expected completion timeline.
- A writing sample from the thesis (10-15 pages)
Evaluation Criteria:
The Outstanding Thesis/Capstone Project Award committee will consider:
- Importance/impact of the subject
- Originality/creativity of the work
- Quality of the scholarship
- Potential for publishing
- Organization of the thesis
- Quality of the writing
- Any other appropriate factors that denote excellence
Deadlines:
Form Submission – Friday, February 20, 2026
Awards Announced on Friday, March 13, 2026
Awards Event March 25, 2026 3- 5:30 PM
Awarded to a doctoral student
Nominated by student’s department chairperson, graduate coordinator, dissertation advisor, or readers
Purpose:
This award is a special recognition of an outstanding doctoral thesis that contributes important knowledge to the subject area. Nominated dissertations should be based on original data and may use quantitative, qualitative, historical, ethnographic, or other analytical methods.
Eligibility:
Nominated students must have completed…
- A dissertation submitted to meet the capstone requirement for an approved program of study
- A dissertation that will be submitted in its final form by August 2026 for a doctoral degree to be awarded in August 2026.
Nomination Process:
The Department Chairperson, Graduate Coordinator, Dissertation Advisor, or Dissertation Readers may make nominations for this award.
Submission Portfolio:
- Nomination letter from either the dissertation advisor, readers, department chair, or graduate coordinator describing the characteristics of the dissertation/capstone project that makes it outstanding and commenting on its originality, quality of scholarship and other factors that denote excellence.
- At least one other letter of support from either the dissertation advisor or readers or department chair or graduate coordinator (whomever did not nominate the dissertation,) student advisor, committee member or other professional with a direct relationship with the dissertation under review.
- While at least one letter of support is required, students are encouraged to obtain additional letters of support to help build a more complete picture of them and their work.
- This form can be sent to recommenders to complete individually, or students can submit multiple letters of support at once by filling out the form and attaching the letters themselves.
- One page summary of the dissertation and summary of dissertation progress with an expected completion timeline.
- A writing sample from the dissertation (10-15 pages)
Evaluation Criteria:
The Outstanding Doctoral Capstone/Dissertation Award committee will consider:
- Importance/impact of the subject
- Originality/creativity of the work
- Quality of the scholarship
- Potential for publishing
- Organization of the dissertation
- Quality of the writing
- Any other appropriate factors that denote excellence
Deadlines:
Form Submission- Due by February 20, 2026
Awards Announced on Friday, March 13, 2026
Awards Event on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 3 – 5:30 p.m.
Awarded to a graduate student
Purpose:
This award was established in honor of Dr. Sandra Holley-Carter, a distinguished leader and former School of Graduate and Professional Studies Dean, whose legacy of advocacy, innovation, and mentorship has left a profound impact on graduate education at Southern Connecticut State University. Dr. Holley-Carter dedicated her career to empowering students, fostering academic excellence, and driving meaningful institutional change. This award seeks to recognize and celebrate graduate students who embody her spirit by making significant contributions to their academic communities and beyond.
Eligibility:
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Leadership & Advocacy: A commitment to social justice, institutional change, or community engagement within their academic or professional fields.
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Innovation & Impact: Development of new initiatives, policies, or projects that have positively influenced their peers, department, or institution.
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Academic Excellence: A strong academic record, research contributions, or creative endeavors that reflect a dedication to their field of study.
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Mentorship & Service: Meaningful involvement in mentoring, supporting, or inspiring fellow students and future scholars.
Nomination & Selection Process:
Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, or fellow graduate students. Self-nominations are also accepted.
Nomination Portfolio:
- A letter of nomination detailing the nominee’s contributions and impact.
- A current CV or resume.
- Up to two letters of support from faculty, peers, or community members.
- Personal Statement by student nominee: We invite nominees to reflect on the role of advocacy in their academic journey and future career. Please submit a brief statement responding to the following prompts:
- What does advocacy mean to you?
- How does it shape your studies and professional aspirations?
- If selected, you will have the chance to meet with policymakers—so consider:
- What would be your goal?
- What key facts would you present?
- How would you make a compelling case for graduate education and establish lasting connections with decision-makers?
Award Presentation and CGS Advocacy Day:
Award recipient(s) will receive a commemorative plaque/certificate to celebrate their achievements, as well as an invitation to the annual SGPS Graduate Student and Faculty Awards Ceremony on Wednesday March 25, 2026 at 3pm.
The recipient(s) will also have the exciting opportunity to join Dean Hos at the annual Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. on April 22-23, 2026 in partnership with the Council of Graduate Schools to support their continued efforts in creating positive change.
Deadlines:
Form Submission – Friday, February 20, 2026
Awards Announced on Friday, March 13, 2026
Awards Event March 25, 2026 3 – 5:30 PM
Faculty Awards
2025 Ceremony
Winners
Katherine Capetta (M.B.A., Healthcare Administration)
Sajida Hatsuda (M.S., Chemistry, Professional Science Master's)
Dr William Rice (Doctor of Education, Concentration in General Education)
Jonell Bailey (Master of Public Health, Concentration in Health Promotion)
Serginho Walker (Doctor of Education, Counselor Education & Supervision)
Dr. Thanh “Minnie” Hoang (MPA)
Darlene Castillo (CMD)
Dr. Barbara Cook (CMD)
Dr. Jason Gorski (Doctor of Education, Counselor Education & Supervision)
Najia L. Walker (Master of Science, School Counseling)
The Award Recipients with Dr Smith, Dean Hos and David M. Holley
