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Students in front of Exploratory Hall

Nominations are now open.

Celebration of Success Award Season is here. Take a moment to nominate the colleagues you feel deserve recognition for their contributions to the Mason Science community for the 2025 calendar year. Nominations must be submitted by Monday, November 3. 

Faculty and Staff from the 2024 Celebration of Success

The 2025 Celebration of Success will take place Tuesday, December 9 at 2 p.m. in Exploratory Hall. 

Celebration of Success Dean's Awards

*Eligible employees: All employees include I/R - Tenure-Track, Tenured, Term, Adjunct, AP Faculty, Classified Staff and non-student wage. GRAs, GTAs, and student wage are not eligible.

All awards include $1500 (due to taxing policies, awardees should receive $1k)

Dean's Award for Early Career Excellence 

Eligible: Instructional/Research Faculty 

This award honors early-career faculty with under five years of service in the College of Science who demonstrate exceptional promise in research or teaching. Recipients show creativity, initiative, and a clear trajectory toward making a lasting impact in their field and within the College of Science. Their achievements reflect both outstanding potential and a strong commitment to advancing knowledge and supporting students. 

Dean’s Big Challenge Award

Eligible: Instructional/Research Faculty 

This award recognizes faculty who take on bold, complex challenges that advance the mission of the College of Science. Honorees demonstrate vision, persistence, and leadership in addressing pressing scientific or societal issues. Their efforts embody innovation, resilience, and a dedication to meaningful problem-solving. 

Dean’s Centricity Award

Eligible: Classified Staff and Non-Student Wage Employees 

This award acknowledges staff members who place students, faculty, and colleagues at the center of all they do. Through exceptional service, dependability, and care, recipients strengthen the College’s community and culture. Their dedication ensures that the College remains a supportive and thriving environment for all. 

Dean’s Creative Educator Award

Eligible: Instructional/Research Faculty 

This award celebrates faculty who bring creativity, innovation, and passion to the classroom. Honorees develop engaging learning experiences that inspire curiosity, deepen understanding, and foster student success. Their teaching reflects a commitment to excellence and to shaping the next generation of scientists and leaders. 

Dean’s Emerging Leader Award

Eligible: All Employees 

This award recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding leadership potential early in their careers. Recipients demonstrate initiative, collaboration, and the ability to inspire others while contributing to the College’s mission. Their growth reflects promise for continued leadership and impact in the future. 

Dean’s Impact Award

Eligible: Instructional/Research and Administrative/Professional Faculty 

This award recognizes faculty whose research has made a significant contribution to science and society. Honorees demonstrate excellence in discovery, scholarship, and innovation, with a clear impact that extends beyond the College. Their work reflects both academic rigor and real-world relevance. 

Dean’s Mentorship Award

Eligible: All Employees 

This award recognizes employees who make a meaningful impact on the College of Science community through both mentorship and service. Recipients serve as role models and trusted guides, helping colleagues develop skills, adapt to new roles, and achieve success through effective mentorship, coaching, and supervision. In addition, they extend their commitment beyond their formal duties by contributing to the broader mission of the University through exemplary service- whether by volunteering at College or University events, serving on committees, supporting special projects, or assisting with programs such as Commencement or Convocation. Together, these efforts reflect a spirit of leadership, generosity, and dedication that strengthens the entire community. 

Dean’s Outstanding Staff Award

Eligible: Classified Staff 

This award recognizes a Classified Staff member whose dedication and service are essential to the success and well-being of the College of Science and its administrative units. Honorees exemplify exceptional capability, a strong commitment to the College’s strategic vision, and steadfast support of the Mason Science and University communities. Nominations should highlight specific examples of how the individual’s contributions go above and beyond in advancing the mission and operations of the College. 

Dean’s Research Support Award

Eligible: All Employees 

This award recognizes employees who play an active and essential role in advancing research programs in the basic or applied sciences that have achieved significant national or international recognition. Honorees demonstrate innovation, dedication, and meaningful contributions that strengthen the College’s research enterprise. Their efforts ensure the continued growth, impact, and visibility of Mason Science research on a global scale.  

Dean’s Student Service Award

Eligible: Classified Staff 

This award honors a staff member whose dedication to student success goes far beyond the expectations of their daily responsibilities. Recipients demonstrate initiative, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service that enriches the student experience. Through innovative contributions, collaborative efforts, and continuous improvement, honorees exemplify the highest standards of excellence in supporting the College’s mission and fostering student achievement. 

* The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.