Merit-based Enhancement Awards

The Graduate School
New Mexico State University

PO Box 30001 MSC 3 G

Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001-8001

575-646-2736                    fax 575-646-7721

MEMORANDUM

To:            Graduate Program Department Heads, Graduate Directors and Faculty
From:           Linda Lacey, Dean of the Graduate School
Re:             Merit-based Enhancement awards of $4,000 for Current Graduate Assistants

To help departments reward outstanding graduate assistants, the Graduate School will offer Merit-Based Enhancement fellowships for graduate assistants who are engaged in the teaching or research mission of New Mexico State University.  The amount of the awards is $4,000 for each academic year.  The purpose of the award is reward graduate assistants that have performed outstanding service to New Mexico State University as either teaching or research assistants. 

How to apply for the awards:

Letter nominations and a copy of the students’ transcripts must be submitted to the Graduate School.  Criteria for selection include the following:

1. Graduate Assistants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
2. The candidate must be a graduate assistant who will be engaged in the teaching or research mission of NMSU.  State and non-state supported graduate assistants can receive the award.   However, the graduate assistant must be on the payroll of NMSU.
3. Departments must indicate how the graduate assistant has contributed to the teaching and research mission of NMSU (copies of teaching evaluations, copies of conference presentations and journal articles, and a current resume are helpful)
4. Departments should also discuss other positive attributes of the graduate assistant (experience, skills, engagement in campus life, community volunteer work, and other unique attribute)
5. Departments can nominate one graduate assistant per degree program. 

Nominations are due at the Graduate School on April 1st.   Please provide a print letter nomination for the student rather than an email nomination.  We will accept faxed nominations (fax number of the Graduate School 6-7721).   Please contact me if you have any questions, 6-5746 or lacey@nmsu.edu.