The Graduate Professional Council is pleased to announce that nominations for the 2026 GPC Excellence Awards, which include the Gold Chalk Award, are now open as of January 22, 2026, at 8 a.m.
Below is information regarding each of the GPC Excellence Awards, as well as links to the GPC awards site and MU Engage, where nominations will be submitted. When visiting Engage, please carefully read the nomination form, which describes the requirements for the nomination submission to be considered.
Nominations for all awards are due to GPC by midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. The Award winners will be notified by email no later than Tuesday, April 7, 2026, and celebrated at the annual Graduate Awards Banquet (date and time TBD).
Gold Chalk Award
The Gold Chalk Award recognizes University of Missouri faculty who have made significant contributions to the education and training of graduate and professional students. Awards are given to one faculty member from each of the following categories: Professional School (Medicine, Vet Med, Law), Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural and Mathematical Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Note: Nominations are made by graduate and professional students.
Excellence in Student Leadership Award
The GPC Excellence in Student Leadership Award honors a graduate or professional student who shows exemplary leadership in service to graduate and professional students at the University of Missouri. This award celebrates the accomplishments of graduate students through their hard work, dedication, and adherence to Mizzou’s core values of respect, responsibility, discovery, and excellence.
Excellence in Teaching Award
The GPC Excellence in Teaching Award, formerly the Academic Excellence Award, honors a graduate or professional student who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to teaching and education. This award celebrates the teaching excellence of graduate and professional students as they provide quality education to others, and the student’s adherence to Mizzou’s core values of respect, responsibility, discovery, and excellence.
Excellence in Research Award
Created in 2021, the GPC Excellence in Research Award honors a graduate or professional student who has demonstrated a sound understanding of their field of study and has made contributions to the field through their research. This award celebrates the accomplishments of graduate and professional students through their hard work and adherence to Mizzou’s core values of respect, responsibility, discovery, and excellence.
International Student Award
The GPC International Student Award is an award that honors an international graduate or professional student who shows exemplary leadership and service to the university and to the international student community. This award celebrates the accomplishments of international graduate and professional students through their hard work, dedication, and adherence to Mizzou’s core values of respect, responsibility, discovery, and excellence.
Graduate Support Staff Recognition Award
Formerly, the Graduate Student Association (GSA) Graduate Support. This special recognition is given to one departmental staff person who exemplifies outstanding service to graduate students. In the past this award was formerly called the Graduate Student Association (GSA) Graduate Support Staff Recognition Award.
Submit Nominations
The nomination period for all awards closes on Monday, March 10, 2026, at midnight.
We invite you to help us celebrate our outstanding faculty, staff, and students for all they do for graduate and professional education.