Nominations open: Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA), in partnership with the Graduate Student Association (GSA), is pleased to launch the 2025–2026 Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision.

The Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision celebrates faculty members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to mentoring, advising, and supporting graduate students. Recipients are recognized as exemplary supervisors who embody the roles of mentor, advisor, role model, humanist, and strategist—demonstrating energy, ingenuity, and care in their supervision.

Up to three faculty members will be honoured annually. Each recipient will receive a $1,000 award, and their contributions to graduate education will be celebrated through university communication channels.

Why nominate your supervisor?

Graduate supervision plays a defining role in a student’s academic journey, professional development, and overall well-being. If your supervisor has gone above and beyond—whether by providing thoughtful mentorship, creating an inclusive and supportive research environment, helping you navigate challenges, or opening doors to professional opportunities—nominating them for this award is a meaningful way to recognize their impact.

By submitting a nomination, you help celebrate supervisory excellence, highlight positive mentorship practices, and contribute to fostering a culture of support and care for graduate students across campus.

Eligibility

Nominees must be tenured, tenure-track, or retired within the past two years. They should have held a faculty position for at least 10 years, with preference given to those who have served at least five years at the University of Waterloo. Nominees must not have received this award within the last 10 years.

Eligible nominees will have a demonstrated record of excellence in graduate supervision, including fostering student independence, promoting critical thinking and communication skills, supporting research dissemination, and providing a caring and inclusive environment where students can thrive.

New for 2025–2026: Nominee CVs must now be submitted in abbreviated format (maximum 8 pages).

Nomination process

Nominations must be initiated by a current or former graduate student who was directly supervised by the nominee. Nominators are required to gather support from other graduate students or alumni who were supervised or mentored by the nominee, as well as senior academic colleagues at Waterloo (e.g., Chairs, Associate Chairs/Graduate Officers, Deans, or Associate Deans).

The nomination package should reflect the nominee’s impact as both an advisor and a mentor, including evidence of their supervisory style, commitment to student success, and support for diverse lived experiences and career goals. Completed nomination packages must be emailed to the department graduate co-ordinator of the nominee’s home department by November 12, 2025.