RIT Outstanding Graduate Student Achievement Award

The RIT Outstanding Graduate Student Achievement Award recognizes current graduate students who demonstrate exceptional dedication and achievement in their field of study, meaningful collaboration, and a positive impact on the RIT campus, the greater Rochester community, or the global community.

The award recognizes students in two categories: Master's and Doctoral.

Eligibility:

• Master's or Doctoral students in good academic standing enrolled on the RIT main campus, Rochester, NY
• Master's students must have completed at least one year of their program or one semester of a one-year program, and PhD students must have passed their qualifying exam
• Nominee must be enrolled during the spring semester in which the award is presented.
• Nominee must be available to attend the award ceremony in April.

Award Criteria:

• Exceptional Dedication: Demonstrated sustained commitment and initiative in a specific program, activity, organization, or project at RIT or the greater Rochester community and/or beyond
• Significant Impact: Made a measurable and lasting positive impact on students at RIT, individuals in the community, or their field of study
• Achievement and Recognition: Achieved academic or professional excellence beyond standard expectations, evidenced through coursework, research, awards, publications, or other accomplishments
• Engagement and Collaboration: Actively engaged with peers, faculty, and/or community members, fostering collaboration and contributing to an environment of connection and collegiality

Awards:

• An award will be presented annually in each category, accompanied by a cash prize of $500. 
• Awardees will be recognized at an awards ceremony in the spring semester.

Nomination Process:

• Nominations must be submitted by an RIT faculty or staff member using the nomination form.
• The form requires information about the nominee, their achievements, and the impact of their work.
• One letter of support from a faculty member, community member, or professional colleague is encouraged.
• The deadline for nominations will be posted when the nomination period for the academic year opens.

Selection Process:

• A committee of faculty/staff reviews nominations and selects the awardees based on the established criteria.
• Recipients will be notified by email and honored at a special ceremony.

Nominations

Nominations for the next RIT Outstanding Graduate Student Achievement Award will open later this academic year. Additional information, including nomination instructions and deadlines, will be posted on this page when the nomination period opens.