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Home » Teaching & Learning » Spotlight on Teaching » Teaching & Learning Awards » Faculty of Science Excellence in Educational Leadership Award at the Graduate Level

Faculty of Science Excellence in Educational Leadership Award at the Graduate Level

Complete nomination packages, including all required materials, must be submitted by Friday, October 31, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.

The Faculty of Science Excellence in Educational Leadership Award at the Graduate Level is awarded to any graduate student who has demonstrated leadership or contributions to Teaching and Learning outside of the classroom.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE OBTOBER 31 ANNUALLY.

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Nomination Process

Evidence of excellence based on activities within the Faculty of Science will be the primary basis for all awards. Evidence based on activities external to the Faculty of Science will be considered supplemental to the evidence from the Faculty of Science. A winner in any category is not eligible for the same award in the same category within any seven-year period.

The nominee should have demonstrated leadership or contributions to Teaching and Learning outside the classroom, which may include any of the following (note this list is not exhaustive):

  • Leading professional development opportunities for faculty members or students at any level.
  • Leading and/or implementing major curriculum projects, such as curriculum development, renewal, or improvement.
  • Leading substantive projects in teaching-related activities, such as program mapping, policy renewal and review, petitions, academic integrity.
  • Formal or informal mentorship and advising in teaching, learning, or academics to individuals or groups.
  • Modeling and/or disseminating evidence-based teaching practices.
  • Exceptional leadership and service in administrative roles, professional organizations, or committees related to teaching, learning, and student success.
  • Research or novel contributions related to teaching and learning, pedagogy, and innovations.
  • Significant and/or ongoing public outreach and education.
  • Activities to advance interdisciplinary, inter-professional and inter-institutional collaborations in teaching and learning.
  • Activities to advance the inclusion of those historically excluded from academia, such as those based on gender, race, religion, sexuality, age, disability, or economic circumstance.

A nomination is triggered by one letter from a faculty member, student (graduate or undergraduate), or staff member familiar with the nominee’s contributions or leadership in teaching and learning in FSc outside the classroom. A second letter of support can accompany the nomination. The second letter is encouraged, but not required, unless the nomination letter is from a student. If the nomination is by a student, a second letter from a faculty member or staff is required.

The nomination package must include the following:

  1. A minimum of one nomination letter by a faculty member, student (graduate or undergraduate), or staff, with a second letter of support being optional. If the nomination is by a student, a second letter from a faculty member or staff is required.
  2. The nominee's current CV (5 pages maximum)
  3. A brief educational leadership portfolio compiled and submitted by the nominee. This can include a written statement (1 – 2 pages of text), plus additional examples of educational leadership, or other relevant materials.

Letters should describe and provide evidence for educational leadership and/or mentorship, addressing (without being restricted to) the criteria listed above.

Nominations, letters of support, and other elements of the nomination package should be submitted via the links available on the Teaching Awards website. The exception is letters submitted by alumni, which must be submitted via email to the Chair of CoTL (scicotl@yorku.ca) due to the restrictions of Passport York access to Machforms. Once the letter(s) have been submitted and acknowledged by CoTL, nominees will be notified.

Nomination packages that are not awarded will automatically remain active for consideration the following year. CoTL will accept additional materials to the package in the second year, including additional letters of support, and/or updated files. File review in the second year may be delayed for personal leave (e.g., parental leave). The delay will be equivalent to the amount of leave taken, or until the nominee would like to be reconsidered, whichever comes first. Following the two-year period, the nomination expires, and a new nomination process must be initiated

Nomination Forms

Submit a nomination letter

For students, faculty or staff: Use this form to nominate a Science graduate student for the Faculty of Science Excellence in Educational Leadership at the Graduate Level Award. A second letter of support may also be submitted using this link.

Submit candidate materials

For nominees: Use this form to submit a current CV (up to 5 pages) and a brief educational leadership portfolio. This can include a written statement (1-2 pages of text), plus additional examples of educational leadership, or relevant materials.

* Please only submit if you have been informed that you have been officially nominated.

Are you an alumni?

Submit a nomination by contacting the CoTL Chair at scicotl@yorku.ca.