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 28-31 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 29.)

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.