Nominations are being accepted for the 2027 MAGS Teaching Award competition. This Teaching Award is very competitive, so we are looking for exceptional PhD and Master’s students with great demonstration of teaching competence and knowledge of pedagogy, innovative teaching/instructional design, effective mentoring skills, and commitment to teaching professional development.
The Nomination Process is as follows:
Preselection Checklist
- Evidence of Excellence in Teaching (incl. evaluations), and/or a university, departmental or other teaching award
- Evidence of Course Design for improved student learning (incl. objectives, course organization, content, learning activities, assessments)
- Evidence of Effective Student/Colleague Mentoring (various levels)
- Evidence of Professional Development (CCT, GTA Workshops, Dept. Workshops, Teaching Fellowships incl., Teaching Projects, etc.)
- Photos, video footage, etc., to demonstrate student engagement & learning to put together a 10-minute teaching video. If given early notice, the Graduate School can help with editing the video.
If you intend to nominate a Graduate Student who meets the criteria above, please contact Dr. Stefanie Baier at stbaier@msu.edu referring to the checklist. The Graduate School can also provide help with creating the teaching-inaction-video.
Compilation of materials and final nominations
- Nominators complete nomination packets together with the nominees on or before December 22, 2026, and send these to Dr. Stefanie Baier: stbaier@msu.edu
- An Ad Hoc committee (tbd) will review the nomination packages based on the specified criteria including a 10-minute teaching-in-action video and check for completion.
- One Master's and one PhD student will be selected, and nominators will be notified of the status of the applications by January 5, 2027, with comments and recommendations for any additional improvements.
- The Graduate School will submit the final application packets to MAGS on January 15, 2027.
We know there are amazing graduate educators at MSU, and we look forward to having you nominate them and enter the award competition. For any questions, please e-mail Dr. Stefanie Baier at stbaier@msu.edu.