Purpose of the Graduate Student Impact Awards:
The Graduate Student Impact Awards at Prairie View A&M University aims to recognize and celebrate graduate students’ achievements, leadership, and contributions across various disciplines. These awards highlight academic excellence, research, service, and overall impact within the university and broader community. By acknowledging these accomplishments, PVAMU aims to motivate students to continue striving for excellence and to enhance the university’s commitment to academic and professional development among its graduate student population.


Award Opportunities:

Outstanding Master’s Student of the Year

This award recognizes exceptional master’s students who have demonstrated academic excellence, community service, and leadership. Eligible candidates must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, be in good standing with the student code of conduct and show active participation in their classes. Nominees should exemplify dedication to their academic pursuits and contributions to the campus community. There will be one award winner per academic college.

Outstanding Doctoral Student of the Year
This award recognizes exceptional doctoral candidates who have demonstrated academic achievement, research contributions, and leadership within the academic community. Eligible nominees must maintain a strong academic record, actively engage in their research projects, and contribute positively to their respective programs and the wider campus community. This award highlights the achievements of those who embody the spirit of academic rigor and innovation in their field of study. There will be one award winner per academic college.


Exceptional Thesis
This prestigious award recognizes one outstanding Thesis from each college, highlighting exceptional Research and academic contribution. Nominees are selected based on their work’s quality, impact, and originality, demonstrating excellence in their field of study. One overall winner will be honored at the Awards Ceremony, showcasing the importance of advanced research in the academic community.

Exceptional Dissertation or Doctoral Project

This prestigious award recognizes one outstanding dissertation or doctoral project from each college, highlighting exceptional Research and academic contribution. Nominees are selected based on their work’s quality, impact, and originality, demonstrating excellence in their field of study. One overall winner will be honored at the Awards Ceremony, showcasing the importance of advanced research in the academic community.

Excellence in Research – Master’s
This award recognizes outstanding contributions demonstrating significant impact, creativity, community engagement, collaboration, and effective communication. Nominees should show meaningful outcomes with long-term influence, originality in research, and innovative methodologies while ensuring accessibility to non-specialist audiences. Effective teamwork and clear communication of complex ideas are vital. This award celebrates research that advances knowledge and positively impacts the community.
  • Nominees must submit a synopsis of research for committee review
Excellence in Research – Doctoral
This award recognizes outstanding contributions demonstrating significant impact, creativity, community engagement, collaboration, and effective communication. Nominees should show meaningful outcomes with long-term influence, originality in research, and innovative methodologies while ensuring accessibility to non-specialist audiences. Effective teamwork and clear communication of complex ideas are vital. This award celebrates research that advances knowledge and positively impacts the community.
  • Nominees must submit a synopsis of research for committee review

Graduate Student of the Year
This award honors an exceptional graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, active involvement in campus and community organizations, and exemplary leadership throughout the academic year. Each academic unit can nominate one graduate student to represent their department.

1. Nomination Criteria:
  • Must have been an active student during the school year of the awards ceremony—for example (the 2025 Awards Ceremony recognizes 2024-2025 academic year students)
  • Must have a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • Involved in a collegiate, community organization, or honor society
  • Must be in good standing with the student code of conduct
  • Attendance in all classes and show class participation
  • Exemplifies community service and leadership
2. Nominee Confirmation and Additional Submissions:
  • One-page essay or letter of intent on why you should be selected graduate student of the year
  • CV or Resume
  • One letter of recommendation (faculty or staff at PV)
3. Selection Process:
  • An impartial and unbiased committee consisting of one employee from the Office of Graduate Studies, one graduate student, one graduate student faculty member, and one PVAMU staff member will review anonymized submissions and ultimately select the winner
Exceptional Leadership Awards
This award recognizes the exceptional contributions made by the Graduate Student Council delegates, who exemplify leadership within their respective colleges on behalf of the Graduate Student Association (GSA). All delegates are eligible for this prestigious award, and the graduate student body will determine the recipient through a voting process. This emphasizes the importance of peer recognition in cultivating effective leadership across the academic community.


Distinguished Leadership Awards
This award honors outstanding contributions to the graduate student community by recognizing the exemplary leadership demonstrated by the Graduate Student Association (GSA) Executive Board members. All Executive Board members are nominated for this prestigious award, and the graduate student body determines the recipient through a vote. This highlights the value of peer recognition in fostering effective leadership within the academic community.