Student Awards

To be considered for any Commencement Awards, graduates must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at HGSE.

The Appian Award

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit nominations for a prestigious award given to up to 10 graduating students who embody our institutional values of academic excellence, inclusive engagement, and collective impact. Recipients of this award:

  • Foster a climate that allows for shared learning and intellectual growth inside and outside the classroom
  • Create new spaces, or add value to existing ones, where all voices can be heard and valued
  • Inspire others, through their words and actions, to engage across perspectives with empathy, intellectual rigor, and mutual respect
  • Demonstrate commitment to and action toward positive social impact, expanding opportunities and outcomes for learners everywhere

Nominations of a graduating student can be submitted using this form. (no self-nominations, please).  The nomination form will remain open through Monday, May 4.

Phyllis Strimling Award

Created in 2000 by three former Radcliffe Seminars faculty, Rob Scalea, Holly Weeks, and Neal Yanofsky, to honor Phyllis Strimling, the former Director of the Radcliffe Seminars Program. The Phyllis Strimling Award recognizes the character and achievement of an HGSE graduate with a strong academic performance, who has used or is preparing to use the HGSE experience for the advancement of women and society, and who has grown personally and professionally as a result.

The Strimling Award is an award that recognizes an HGSE student who:

  • Works to advance society by advancing women;
  • Demonstrates inclusive leadership and is inspirational to others;
  • Promotes community as a management approach;
  • Demonstrates the ability in problem-solving to pull together and appreciate multiple perspectives, and integrates those perspectives in making sound decisions.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, April 22nd.

Applications need to include:

  • A personal statement regarding your commitment and contribution to women and society, emphasizing specific examples in relation to the criteria listed above. If some of your qualifications come from work experience please include information related to the organization and specifically describe your role in the organization.
  • A curriculum vitae or resume.
  • Up to two letters of recommendation are optional. These are most illuminating when provided by HGSE faculty or immediate professional supervisors; recommendations from academic or professional peers have lesser value.

For more information about the award and the selection process, please visit https://www.strimlingaward.com/

The award will be presented as part of the HGSE Convocation Ceremony, on Wednesday, May 27.

Commencement Marshals

These honorary positions recognize one student from each of the Masters programs, one student from the CAS Program, as well as two graduating Ed.L.D. students and two graduating Ph.D. students.  Marshals are elected by their classmates and must be candidates for degrees. Students may only vote for marshals from their program. Students will receive further information and online poll voting links from the Office of Student Affairs in early-April.

Please keep in mind the following criteria when considering your nominations for Class Marshal

  • Leadership
  • HGSE involvement
  • Service to the community and others
  • Exemplary representative of HGSE and the University

Marshals will be recognized as part of the HGSE Convocation Ceremony, on Wednesday, May 27.