Purpose

The Graduate Dean’s Excellence in Mentorship Award recognizes full-time regular UAB faculty members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment as mentors of graduate students and /or postdoctoral fellows.

Award

Each award recipient will be presented with a gift that recognizes his/her receipt of the award. Information about the award recipients will be publicized in the UAB Reporter, on the Graduate School website, and through other appropriate media.

Eligibility

Eligibility is limited to full-time UAB graduate faculty members who hold a primary appointment in one of the ten schools other than the Graduate School, or in a Joint Health Sciences department. The individual must have held faculty status at UAB for a minimum of three years and may receive the award only once in any five-year period.

Criteria for Selection

The awards shall be based solely on outstanding accomplishments in mentoring as demonstrated by any or all of the following:

• Ability to inspire and motivate students and/or postdoctoral fellows as they engage in research activities, seek grant support, and publish their work
• Promotion of ethical behavior and professional values among students and/or fellows Creation of a collaborative and constructive atmosphere for the training of students and/or fellows
• Imbue students and/or fellows with a commitment to life-long learning and professional development
• Demonstrate a supportive and open-minded attitude regarding the career development of students and/or fellows
• Serve as an outstanding role model for students and/or fellows in their performance of scholarly activities and service

Procedure for Nomination

Any member of the graduate student body, postdoctoral community, faculty, or alumni may initiate a nomination by completing and submitting, by the announced deadline, an online nomination package consisting of:

1. The nominee's CV
2. A list of 3-5 current and former UAB graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, their current status, and other achievements
3. Three letters of support from fellow faculty members, and current or former students, including email addresses (500 words maximum each). A fourth and fifth letter may be submitted optionally.
4. A short bio about the mentor (200 words maximum)

The Dean's Mentorship Award Selection Committee will review materials submitted for all nominees. Based on the review of those materials, the Committee will choose five award recipients. Faculty members who have received the Mentorship Award for the years 2020 through 2025 are ineligible to be nominated for the 2026 award.

Here are some of the characteristics of an outstanding mentor:

Submit Nomination