CSCC Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award

The CSCC Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award is a special recognition given to a DKU professor, affiliated with the CSCC, who has shown extraordinary dedication to mentoring students in the field of China studies. This award honors faculty who go the extra mile to guide, support, and inspire their students, helping them grow academically, personally, and professionally. The professor who wins this award is seen as a role model for mentorship and serves as an inspiration to others in the academic community. The recipient receives USD500 in research funding and a certificate attesting to this award.

Eligibility:

  • Full-time DKU professors affiliated with the CSCC
  • The professor must have been at DKU for at least two years
  • The faculty member cannot have received this award in the past two years

Nomination Process:

  • Nominations can be made by students, fellow faculty members, or university staff members who have directly observed or experienced the nominee’s mentorship.
  • Self-nominations are welcome
  • The nominator shall submit a formal letter of nomination highlighting the reasons for the nomination based on the criteria listed below. The letter should provide specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate the nominee’s exceptional mentoring qualities.
  • The nomination letter(s) should be submitted as a PDF, addressed to the CSCC Award Committee, and emailed to Ms. Chi Zhang, the program coordinator of the CSCC.
  • Nominees will be contacted and asked to submit supporting materials including a CV and a short personal statement explaining their mentoring philosophy, approach, and the significance of mentoring students in their academic career.

Important Dates for AY 25/26:

Nomination Letter Submission Deadline: April 13, 2026
Submission of supporting materials: April 16, 2026
Notification of Recipient: The recipient will be announced by the end of the academic year

Criteria for Selection

The recipient is selected by the CSCC Award Committee. The recipient of the CSCC Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award will be selected based on the following five criteria:

  1. Commitment to Mentoring: The extent to which the faculty member has consistently engaged in mentoring activities and demonstrated genuine care for the personal and academic development of their mentees.

  2. Impact on Student Success: Evidence of the faculty member’s mentoring contributions that have led to positive outcomes in the mentees’ academic performance, research accomplishments, career development, and overall well-being.

  3. Accessibility and Approachability: The faculty member’s availability and willingness to provide guidance, support, and constructive feedback to students.

  4. Advocacy and Networking: Demonstrated efforts by the faculty member to advocate for their mentees, helping them build professional networks and connections within and beyond the academic community.

  5. Inclusiveness: Demonstrated efforts to adapt to the diverse needs of their mentees and fostering an inclusive and empowering mentorship experience.

The CSCC Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award celebrates the invaluable role faculty mentors play in shaping the lives and futures of their students. By recognizing exceptional mentors, we aim to inspire a culture of mentorship excellence and foster an environment where mentorship is celebrated and valued across the academic community.