Purpose

The Mentoring Future Scholars Award recognizes faculty mentors who are extraordinary in their mentoring of graduate students to become future scholars. Our purpose at the University of Arizona is to work together to expand human potential to explore new horizons and enrich life for all. Our mission is to create a world where human potential is realized and we’re all working together to create solutions to big problems, so that life in our communities, in Arizona and on our planet can thrive. Our university values that undergird our purpose are integrity, compassion, exploration, adaptation, inclusion, and determination.

Mentors are a vital part of the University of Arizona’s mission of educating and providing professional development for our students. This Award recognizes early career faculty whose dedication to graduate students through mentorship has been transformative.  The intent of this award is to honor individuals whose dedication to nurturing future scholars in inclusive, equitable, innovative and holistically supportive ways has raised the standards of mentorship across the campus.

Eligibility

Eligibility for the Mentoring Future Scholars Award shall be extended to members of the general faculty at the assistant or associate rank of any track at the University of Arizona who have provided significant mentoring for graduate students at either the master’s or Ph.D. levels. 

Award

Recipient will receive a one-time allocation of $1,000 in university funds to facilitate further work within their discipline. One award will be given annually.

Criteria

Candidates will be judged on the significance of their contribution to mentoring of graduate students to become future scholars. This may include inspiring students to pursue further graduate training, continue in graduate programs, or pursue employment in higher education as a scholar. Priority will be given to candidates who are positively contributing to diverse representation in their field/discipline and have taken the Level 1: MENTOR Institute Online Training found in EDGE Learning.

Nomination Process

Materials are to be submitted online through Arizona Cultivate. The deadline for nominations is Monday, December 9, 2024 by 5pm.

Faculty can be nominated by other faculty members or by graduate students. A nomination packet must be submitted with the following materials:

  • CV for the nominee
  • Letter of nomination from a faculty member or one or more graduate students.
  • Evidence of mentee's persistence towards their graduate degree, awards, pursuit of employment in higher education, or acceptance to graduate school or other scholarly activities.
  • One page letter of support from the Department Head of the mentee's graduate program.
     

Inclusive excellence is the engine that drives the value and practice of diversity and inclusiveness at the University of Arizona. At the center of Inclusive Excellence is the recognition and acceptance of the talents, worldviews, perceptions, cultures and skills that faculty communities bring to the educational enterprise. The University of Arizona recognizes the power of a diverse community and strongly encourages nominations of individuals with varied experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. As a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), the University of Arizona also recognized the importance of contributions of the nominee to the HSI mission.