Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award

Description

This $500 monetary award honors a graduate student who has demonstrated excellence as a teaching assistant in undergraduate or graduate-level courses. The recipient will have shown outstanding ability in coaching and inspiring students to achieve academic excellence, exemplifying the valuable contributions of graduate students to the university.

Additionally, one honorable mention may be awarded at the discretion of the judging committee. The committee will consist of faculty members and graduate students representing all colleges within the graduate school.

Applications will be accepted from March 13 to April 5, 2026, for courses taught in 2025. Postdoctoral fellows may apply for teaching assistant positions they held while they were graduate students.

Application Requirements

Submission Process

● Item I should be typed directly into the Google Form in the “Submission” section below.

● Items II and III should be forwarded to your course supervisor and students as indicated.

I. Applicant’s Statement (500 words max)

In your statement, provide detailed information demonstrating how your contributions align with the criteria listed in the rubric for this award. Consider addressing the following:

● What steps and procedures do you follow when preparing for teaching, tutorials, or office hours?

● How has your work impacted your students?

● How do you communicate with your students and the course instructor?

● In what ways do you provide individual support to students?

● What reflections have led you to improve your teaching?

II. Supervisor’s Supporting Letter (500 words max)

● One or more supervisors may write this letter.

● Applicants are encouraged to request supporting letters from multiple supervisors if applicable.

● The letter should highlight the TA’s contributions, addressing:

○ Responsibilities in the course and how they were fulfilled

○ Preparation, follow-through, and professional conduct

○ Relationships with students and faculty

○ Commitment to self-reflection and continuous improvement

III. Student Feedback Questionnaire

A questionnaire must be completed by three students from the applicant's class.

Applicant’s form: https://forms.gle/yXZLkrCuBVcLLxc3A

Supervisor’s Form: https://forms.gle/o4NGzS2Kr42Gmbud7

Students Feedback Questionnaire: https://forms.gle/V3RPJq669tfRJZDA7

Questions?

Lakshimi Swaminathan
(lswamina@nd.edu)