Each year, Florida State University (FSU) graduate students and faculty are recognized at the Celebration of Graduate Student Excellence for their achievements and dedication within their field. The event honors excellence in student leadership, research, mentorship, and teaching, and receiving recognition in any of these categories is considered a significant achievement.  

Among the recipients, the College of Communication and Information (CCI) was represented by Dr. Zhe He, who received an award for Graduate Faculty Mentor, and Sooyeon Park, who received an award for Outstanding Teaching Assistant.  

 “We’re a competitive university to get into. We have some very high-standing doctoral programs, so the people who are here are already a very select group”, said Stephen McDowell, Interim Dean of The Graduate School and Assistant Provost for International Initiatives. “Then for a graduate student to be selected from amongst that pool for this special recognition, it is a significant thing.” 

 Nominees dedicate significant time and effort to earning recognition, and the selection process becomes even more rigorous once they are nominated. Nominees must demonstrate why they deserve to receive their category’s award through resumes, letters of recommendation, and other supporting materials. 

 McDowell said, “The nomination package includes several reference letters, a resume, and a statement of intention. It’s a lot of work for the nominators and the faculty who are being nominated.” 

 Apart from those organizing and presenting at the event, the recipients themselves are also acutely aware of just how competitive these nominations and awards are.  

 “I understand this is an extremely competitive process,” says Dr. He, “because every year only five to six faculty members will be chosen from all the colleges and all the departments across campus.” 

 To the students and faculty who are celebrated at the event, it is much more than an award. It is a symbol of their hard work and dedication to their research and students. 

The nomination itself serves as recognition of their impact, as recipients are nominated by the students and faculty who work most closely with them. 

 “It was absolutely very moving. I felt that my devotion to teaching had been seen and acknowledged. I felt a deep sense of gratitude for my colleagues and professors who supported me and wrote recommendation letters,” said Sooyeon Park. “And obviously, I am most grateful for my students who have built this teaching experience with me, and made me learn how teaching is a very invaluable experience for the teacher as well.”  

 Receiving an award of this stature extends far beyond the individual recipient, showing the importance of research, mentorship, and teaching across the university.  

 “It highlights the importance of mentorship in academia, not only in producing research but also in developing the next generation of scholars and leaders in the field”, says Dr. He.  

Through these awards, recipients are inspired to continue striving for excellence while pursuing even greater goals and aspirations.  

“It affirms that I’m on the right path,” says Park. “And more than a credential, it’s also a sign that the investment I made in students, the preparation and relationship building is genuinely lending, and that kind of motivates me to keep going.”