Provost’s Award for Distinguished Ph.D. Teaching and Mentoring
January 9, 2007, Volume 53, No. 17	Print Issue

The Provost’s Award for Distinguished Ph.D. Teaching and Mentoring was established in 2003-04. Designed specifically to honor faculty who mentor Ph.D. students, this prize is intended to underscore the University’s strategic emphasis on graduate education, by celebrating the accomplishments of  faculty who show special distinction in doctoral education.

—Andrew Binns, Associate Provost

The Provost’s Award for Distinguished Ph.D. Teaching and Mentoring recognizes excellence in the teaching and mentoring of doctoral students. The award is presented to two outstanding faculty members each year for their exemplary work in training the next generation of scholars. Eligible faculty may be nominated by any Penn faculty member or Ph.D. student. Successful candidates must be members of the standing or associated faculty in any school offering the Ph.D.

Candidates will be evaluated on the basis of letters of recommendation from past and present graduate students, from other University colleagues, and from the wider research community. Among the qualities the selection committee will consider are:

• Distinguished research
• Success in collaborating on doctoral committees and graduate groups
• An ability to mentor outstanding doctoral students
• A record of successful doctoral placements

Superior teaching and mentoring skills will emerge differently in different settings. Examples of the sorts of activities that the review will consider include the effective supervision of graduate student research; the skillful direction of dissertation students; a proven talent for mentoring teaching assistants; and the skillful art of leading seminars and facilitating discussions.

Recipients will receive a monetary award and University recognition during a public ceremony on April 23, 2007. Nominations should be sent to Mr. Ralph Dispigno, 122 College Hall/6303, assocprv@pobox.upenn.edu by no later than January 31, 2007. A nomination may be made by a student or faculty member. Since complete dossiers will follow, all that is required for nomination is a relatively brief statement of support for the candidate. Department chairs will be notified of nominees and invited to submit a complete dossier no later than February 28.