Dean’s First-Year Excellence Award
Be rewarded for extraordinary engagement during your first year in the College.
The Dean’s First-Year Excellence Award is presented to first-year and first-year transfer students in the Peer Mentorship Program who show dedication to personal development during their first year at the University of Houston by committing time to academic, community, and volunteer efforts throughout the fall and spring semesters.
Characteristics
Students pursuing the Dean’s First-Year Excellence Award are encouraged to possess the following characteristics:
- Desire to explore academic, social, and professional development opportunities
- Desire to engage in on- and off-campus events and community service
- Desire to connect with classmates, peers, and faculty
Qualifications
Students pursuing the Dean’s First-Year Excellence Award must meet the following qualifications:
- Must be a current, undergraduate first-year or first-semester transfer student in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics participating in the Peer Mentorship Program
Expectations
Students pursuing the Dean’s First-Year Excellence Award must submit an application portfolio demonstrating their completion of the following expectations by the established deadline in their first year in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Application portfolios will be submitted via Canvas and reviewed by Leadership Council, the Office of First Year Programs, and the Associate Dean.
Criteria
Students pursuing the Dean’s First-Year Excellence Award must fulfill the following criteria:
- Meet with assigned Peer Mentor two times in the Fall and Spring
- Earn a Fall GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Submit a professional resume
- Obtain a letter of reference written by Peer Mentor
- Obtain a completed Recommendation Form from a faculty member or teaching assistant
- Submit a 250-word reflective essay describing what you have gained from pursuing the Dean’s First-Year Excellence Award
- Attend a minimum of 8 events from the categories below, attending at least 2 events
from each category:
- Community
- Social events coordinated by the Office of First Year Programs
- Volunteer
- Volunteering events coordinated by the Office of First Year Programs
- Academic & Professional
- Student Leadership Team Study Nights
- Undergraduate Advising Center event(s)
- NSM Career Center event(s)
- Community
Benefits
Build a Network
Connect with like-minded peers, faculty, and staff who share your passion for engagement and are committed to helping you succeed.
Develop Valuable Skills
You’ll develop crucial skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making that will benefit you long after graduation.
Enhance Your Resume
Being involved demonstrates to future employers and graduate schools that you're proactive, responsible, and capable of taking on challenges.
Incentives
Students who earn the Dean’s First-Year Excellence Award will receive a signed certificate and be honored at the First-Year Finale, our final celebration each Spring commemorating the accomplishments of first-year and transfer students.
Apply
To be considered for the Dean’s First-Year Excellence Award, you must meet and fulfill the above qualifications and expectations no later than April 3.
If you have any questions, connect with us at nsmyear1@uh.edu.
Connect With Us
Email us at nsmyear1@uh.edu or find us on Instagram @nsmfirstyear.