2024 Awards Dinner

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Nominations for the 2024 UCLA Samueli Awards are now closed.​

For any questions about the process, please contact UCLA Samueli Events at hsseasevents@support.ucla.edu.

 

Award Categories

Alumni Awards

Alum of the Year Award
The Alum of the Year Award honors the achievements of UCLA Samueli School of Engineering alumni who have brought distinction to the school and the profession. The school seeks candidates with:

  • exceptional careers in their chosen field with noteworthy influence
  • significant contributions to enhance the school’s prominence
  • notable service to the community, profession and UCLA
  • a history of mentorship

Professional Achievement Award
The Professional Achievement Award honors the achievements of UCLA Samueli alumni who are established in their careers in their chosen fields, industry and entrepreneurship, or alumni with achievements in academia. The school seeks candidates with:

  • distinguished career accomplishments
  • notable service to the community, the profession and UCLA
  • a history of mentorship

Rising Professional Achievement Award
The Rising Professional Achievement Award honors UCLA Samueli alumni who are in the earlier stages of their career. Awardees are within 15 years of their undergraduate degree conferral. The school seeks candidates with:

  • impactful accomplishments in academia, industry or entrepreneurship
  • significant contributions to the engineering profession
  • notable service to the community, profession and UCLA

The Edward K. Rice Outstanding Bachelor’s Student Award
The Edward K. Rice Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award honors the achievements of distinguished alumni who received their bachelor’s degree in the most recently completed academic year (2022-2023). The school seeks candidates who have demonstrated academic and research excellence, leadership and service to the school, university or community.

The Edward K. Rice Outstanding Master’s Student Award
The Edward K. Rice Outstanding Master’s Student Award honors the achievements of distinguished alumni who received their master’s degree in the most recently completed academic year (2022-2023). The school seeks candidates who have demonstrated academic and research excellence, leadership and service to the school, university or community.

The Edward K. Rice Outstanding Doctoral Student Award
The Edward K. Rice Outstanding Doctoral Student Award honors achievements of distinguished alumni who received their doctoral degree in the most recently completed academic year (2022-2023). The school seeks candidates who have demonstrated academic and research excellence, leadership and service to the school, university or community.

Other Awards:

Lifetime Contribution Award
The Lifetime Contribution Award honors individuals who have brought distinction to the engineering profession throughout their lifetime. The school seeks candidates who have led exceptional careers in their chosen field. This is the only award where the nominees do not need to be UCLA Samueli alumni.

Engineering Alumni Association Service Award
The Engineering Alumni Association (EAA) Service Award honors alumni or friends who are current or former EAA Board Members. The school seeks candidates with records of generously contributing their time and their talents for the enrichment of others in a manner that benefits or brings honor to the school. If candidates work for UCLA, they must demonstrate an extraordinary record of service beyond their professional responsibilities.

Faculty Awards

Northrop Grumman Excellence in Teaching Award
The Northrop Grumman Excellence in Teaching Award honors the achievements of junior faculty members at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering. The objective for the UCLA Samueli Teaching Awards is to reward faculty who demonstrate their effort to learn and implement evidence-based teaching methods. The school seeks candidates who have proven records of offering students the best possible engineering education through innovative and inspirational teaching methods, curriculum development and support of student academic efforts.

Awardees must hold the title of assistant professor or associate professor.
Nominees need to write an essay (max. 1000 words) addressing the following questions:

  • What steps has the candidate taken to become a better teacher?
  • What has the candidate learned, and how have they applied this in a class?
  • How has the candidate taken on a leadership position/role in the school?

Eon Instrumentation, Inc. Excellence in Teaching Award
The Senior Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award honors the achievements of senior faculty members in the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering. The objective for the UCLA Samueli Teaching Awards is to reward faculty who demonstrate their effort to learn and implement evidence-based teaching methods. The school seeks candidates who have proven records of offering students the best possible engineering education through innovative and inspirational teaching methods, curriculum development and support of student academic efforts.

Awardees must hold the title of professor or distinguished professor.
Nominees need to write an essay (max. 1000 words) addressing the following questions:

  • What steps has the candidate taken to become a better teacher?
  • What has the candidate learned, and how have they applied this in a class?
  • How has the candidate taken on a leadership position/role in the school?

The Vernroy Makoto Watanabe Excellence in Research Award
The Vernroy Makoto Watanabe Excellence in Research Award honors the achievements of faculty members in the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering who demonstrate innovation in pursuing critical research. The school seeks candidates who are addressing a major societal challenge, using innovative techniques or approaches to identify a solution, and are engaging graduate and undergraduate students in their research program. The award alternates each year between senior and junior faculty members. For the 2024 Awards, the awardee must hold the title of professor or distinguished professor.

Submissions
The Submission Form is now open. A complete nomination packet includes:

  • Nomination Letter
  • Nominee’s resume or CV
  • At least one letter of support for the nomination from a professional or academic connection to the nominee
  • If available: supporting materials and documentation, such as research and publications

Self-nominations are welcome. Self-nomination packets must include two letters of support from academic or professional connections.

Nomination packet materials should reflect the nominee’s career highlights including major breakthroughs and contributions, university or school service, community service, professional organizations and positions held, honors and awards, publication and educational history.

Only complete nomination packets will be considered. Awards may not be presented in all categories in a given year.

Excellence in Graduate Mentoring Award

Academic excellence often finds its roots in inspirational encouragement and helpful advice of a supportive mentor. Faculty who have demonstrated exemplary mentorship represent the highest level of dedication and commitment to the University of California community. The Excellence in Graduate Mentoring Award seeks to honor an outstanding full-time faculty member whose dedication to graduate learning has made significant contributions to both the professional development and quality of life of their students.

The school seeks candidates who:

  • Work closely with mentees to explore their talents and interests, helping them define and attain their goals. The faculty also help align the mentee’s goals with those of the research group, making adjustments as needed to support the mentee’s academic, personal and professional goals.
  • Provide regular constructive feedback and set clear expectations through ongoing communication. This builds trust and mutual respect in the mentor-mentee relationship.
  • Promote self-efficacy by providing mentees opportunities to acquire and hone skills needed for independent excellence, including sharing access to academic, professional and personal contacts to support their success in launching their careers, be it in industry or academia.

* Please note that in order for a nominee to be considered for this award, they would need to receive two (2) nominations from two (2) different nominators and those that only receive one nomination will not be considered.

Submission for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring Award