Award Overview

The Mentorship Excellence Award recognizes a University of West Alabama faculty member who has made a real difference in student growth, learning, and success connected to the Academic Research Conference (ARC). This honor goes to a mentor who has supported students with encouragement, guidance, and opportunities that help them prepare for both research and future careers.

Who can be nominated?

Any UWA faculty member (tenure-track, non-tenure, or adjunct) who has worked with students participating in ARC within the last 18 months.

Eligibility

  1. Must have mentored at least one student who is presenting (poster, paper, creative/performance, or applied/community project) at ARC 2026.
  2. Mentoring occurred within the past 18 months (help with ideas, methods, rehearsals, drafts, editing, or presenting).
  3. The nominator must be a current ARC 2026 presenter or a student who presented under that mentor within the last 18 months.
  4. Past winners may be nominated again after three years.

Recognition & Deliverables

  1. Engraved plaque
  2. Website/news feature with photos and quotes
  3. Digital badge for faculty/staff profile or email signature
  4. $500 Professional development stipend (use: travel, books, workshops, or student project support)

Nomination Package

Only students can make a nomination. Students should submit either a written nomination or a video nomination using the form below.

Written Nomination (1 PDF, about 2–3 pages total)

Required sections:

  1. Nomination Details
    • Your name, major/program, contact info
    • Nominee’s name/department
    • ARC presentation title and date
  2. Student Nomination Statement (250–400 words)
    Please describe in your own words:
    • What your mentor did that supported you (regular check-ins, setting milestones, helpful feedback, project or presentation prep).
    • How your mentor created a welcoming and fair learning environment (examples: explaining processes clearly, encouraging participation, respecting student ideas, making sure opportunities were open to everyone).
    • How this mentorship helped you grow (skills you gained, confidence, ARC acceptance, internship, award, grad school plans, or community/service outcomes).
  3. Outcomes Snapshot (Optional)
    • A short bullet list (no more than one page) of key results you want to highlight (acceptances, awards, papers, internships, etc.). If you don’t have documentation, a brief description is fine.

Video Nomination (2–3 minutes, simple recording)

  • File type: MP4 or MOV; captions are required (automatic captions are fine if checked for accuracy).
  • Content outline (keep it simple):
    • Introduce yourself (name, major, ARC presentation).
    • Explain 1–2 specific ways your mentor supported you.
    • Share how it helped you grow (skills, awards, opportunities, or confidence).
    • Close by saying why your mentor deserves this recognition.
  • You can record on a phone or laptop; high resolution is not required.
  • File naming: ARC2026_MentorNom_<NomineeLast>_<NominatorLast>.mp4

Visuals & privacy:

  • You may overlay one slide or a few tasteful callouts (no grades or sensitive data).
  • If you show an artifact, redact personal/grade information.
  • Anyone on camera must consent to be recorded.

Additional Details

Selection Criteria & Rubric (100 points)

The selection committee will look for clear examples of mentorship in these areas:

  1. Student Growth & Outcomes (35 pts): Skills learned, persistence, presentations, internships, awards, grad school, community impact.
  2. Inclusive Mentorship (25 pts): Creating a supportive and fair space for all students to succeed.
  3. Quality of Practices (20 pts): Regular check-ins, clear feedback, structured guidance.
  4. Career Preparation (15 pts): Helping students prepare for next steps like résumés, future research, or networking.
  5. Reflection & Improvement (5 pts): Showing effort to learn, adapt, and improve as a mentor.

Process & Timeline

  • Nominations open: October 1, 2025
  • Deadline: February 27, 2026 (11:59 PM local)
  • Review window: March 1–15
  • Notification: By March 22
  • Recognition: Awarded during ARC (April 7–9)

Submission: Online form (uploads PDF nomination packet). Late or incomplete packets may be deemed ineligible.

Selection Committee

  • 5–7 members (ARC leadership and 1–2 students who have presented).
  • Members recuse when nominees are from their department, lab, or active collaborations.
  • Independent scoring → calibration meeting → consensus. Ties broken by Student Development and Outcomes score.