NISOD Student Essay Contest

NISOD invites students at NISOD-member colleges to participate in NISOD’s Student Essay Contest!

Students describe in a 500-word (or less) essay a faculty member, staff member, or administrator who encouraged them to complete a course, finish a semester, or graduate from college and how that encouragement helped them reach their goal(s).

The Prize

Three (3) winning student authors and the faculty members, staff members, or administrators featured in the winning essays will each receive:

  • $1,000 USD
  • Travel to the International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence (May 25-28 in Austin, Texas), which includes:
    • Up to $400 USD toward travel to Austin, Texas;
    • Up to three (3) nights lodging (Saturday, Sunday, Monday nights only);
    • One (1) complimentary conference registration.

(Note: Winning authors will read their essays on stage during the conference’s Excellence Awards Dinner and Celebration on Sunday, May 26.)

In addition, each winning student author’s college will receive a complimentary one-year NISOD membership.

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Content, originality, clarity, organization, conciseness, and grammar.

Eligibility Requirements

Student must be enrolled at a NISOD member college for the spring semester to participate. Check to see if your college is a member here.

Students must be at least 18 years old and be currently enrolled at a NISOD member college.

The faculty, staff member, or administrator written about in the essay must currently be employed by the college.

The student and the faculty, staff member, or administrator written about in the essay must be able to travel to Austin to participate in the Student Essay Contest presentation held during NISOD’s annual conference.

2024 Timeline

  • Contest opens: August 21, 2023
  • Submission deadline: March 8, 2024
  • Winners notified: March 22, 2024
  • Winner acceptance due: April 5, 2024
  • Winners’ photos due: April 19, 2024
  • Prize and essay presentations at NISOD conference: May 26, 2024

Download Promotional Flyer

Student Essay Contest Flyer

Students: Please review the Criteria and Terms before submitting your essay.

Visit our FAQ page or contact contests@nisod.org or (512) 471-7545 for more information.