First-Generation Student Achievement Award - Nomination Process

Award Description

The First-Generation Student Achievement Award, given annually by the UI First-Generation Task Force, honors one first-generation undergraduate student and one graduate or professional first-generation college student.  This award recognizes exceptional students who have pursued and met ambitious goals and/or made notable achievements while enrolled at the University of Iowa, demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, and created pathways for or inspired other first-generation students to also excel at the University of Iowa. Recipients of the award will be honored in November during the annual 1stGen@Iowa Awards and Recognition Ceremony.

Nomination Instructions

First-Generation Definition:

At the University of Iowa, first-generation students are those students who do not have a parent(s) or legal guardian(s) who completed a four-year degree.

Eligibility for Award:

  • All current UI first-generation undergraduate, graduate, and professional students
  • Two awards will be given - one to a UI undergraduate student and one to a UI graduate or professional student

Who May Nominate:

  • Any UI faculty or staff member may make a nomination; current students may also nominate other currently enrolled students.

Deadline:

  • Nominations must be submitted by Friday, October 6, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.

Nomination Materials:

To nominate a student for this award, submit each of the materials listed below.  Please note, this nomination requires two participants -- one to submit the form (primary nominator) and one to provide an additional letter of support that is attached to the nomination form.

  1. Nomination Form: The nominator should complete the online nomination form that addresses the following questions (2,000 character limit per question):
    • What ambitious goals and/or notable achievements has the nominee accomplished while enrolled as a student at the University of Iowa?
    • How has the nominee demonstrated commitment to academic excellence in all of their collegiate endeavors?
    • In what ways has the nominee created pathways for or inspired other first-generation students to also excel at the University of Iowa?
  2. Letter of Support:  Submit one letter of support from either a UI faculty or staff member (who is someone other than the primary nominator) that also specifically addresses each of the three bulleted questions listed above.  The letter of support is limited to two pages; no more than one letter will be accepted.
Nominate

Selection Process:

A committee of three persons composed of members of the UI First-Generation Task Force will review the nominations according to the criteria outlined in the above nomination materials.

Timeline:

  • Nomination Form Opens:  Thursday, August 31, 2023
  • Nominations Due:  Friday, October 6, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
  • Recipients notified in October 2023 and awards presented in November 2023

Contact:

Please contact Angie Lamb (angela-lamb@uiowa.edu) with questions.