What is the nomination process?
  • Nominators: Mentors or faculty who work closely with the student.
  • Letters of support: Three letters of support are required, one of which is from the nominating faculty member.
  • To nominate a student:
    1. The Overview page provides additional background information about each award.
    2. Compile the completed nomination package including the components outlined below as one single PDF.

      • Three letters of reference (max. 2 single-spaced pages for each):

        • Nominator’s letter (1): The nominator must be a faculty member. Please describe the nominee’s accomplishments in research and/or scholarship, teaching, leadership, service, and outreach, as well as potential for future contributions.
        • Reference letters (2): These letters should come from individuals familiar with the student’s research and/or scholarship, teaching, service, and outreach activities.
      • Nominee’s statement of academic achievements and plans for the future (max. 2 single-spaced pages).
      • Nominee’s current CV.
    3. Enter the information for the nominee and nominator and upload your nomination file at the following Qualtrics link:

      https://wsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1LICuigYDNIMmTc
Who is eligible?
  • Full- and part-time students in good standing are eligible.
  • Students may be nominated for only one of these awards in each cycle.
  • Nominations are accepted up the deadline.
  • Specific award eligibility:

    • The Harriett B. Rigas Award
      ELIGIBILITY: Doctoral and Professional students graduating in Fall 2025 or Spring or Summer 2026.
    • The AFW Founders’ Award
      ELIGIBILITY: Master’s students graduating in Fall 2025 or Spring or Summer 2026. Professional and non-thesis degree students are not eligible.
    • The Karen DePauw Leadership Award
      ELIGIBILITY: Ph.D. and Ed.D. candidates in good standing who have successfully passed preliminary examination and have a GPA of at least 3.5.
When is the award announced?
  • Awardees will be notified in late March and will receive their award at a special recognition ceremony in April.
Funding Details?
  • The award is a one-time recognition of achievement. Funds will be allocated from the Association for Faculty Women to the student’s university account.
Payment Process?
  • The student does not receive a direct payment from the Association for Faculty Women. The award will be posted to the student’s account and applied to Spring 2026 charges. Any residual funds will be reimbursed to the student by Student Financial Services (SFS) in accordance with university policy.
Questions?

Thank you for supporting WSU Graduate students and making known their excellence!