Award Overview

In partnership with the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement, the Drexel Common Good Award is presented to graduate and professional students (master's and/or doctoral level) who demonstrate academic excellence and who are committed to improving the world around them by making contributions to local, national or global communities through either scholarship, civic engagement, and community building, including remotely/online.

Eligible graduate students must be fully matriculated in a graduate program or have graduated in the current academic year. Medical and law students may also be nominated. Self-nominations will also be considered for this award, but must be supported by a faculty member, professional staff member, and/or an external supervisor.

Up to three awards are presented for $250, one sponsored by the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement.

Nomination Process & Timeline

Faculty and professional staff members are encouraged to nominate eligible graduate and professional students. External professionals who supervise the student in a related capacity may also nominate. Students may also self-nominate for this award, but self-nominations must be supported by a faculty member, professional staff member, and/or an external supervisor.

Submissions for the 2024-2025 awards cycle are now open. The deadline to submit nominations is by 12 p.m. EDT Monday, March 24, 2025.

2024-2025 awardees will be notified and announced on or around April 22, 2025.

Required Materials

1. Completed Nomination Form - Please see below and prepare your responses in advance as the form will not save a draft.
2. Self-nominations will require a letter of recommendation or statement from a faculty member, professional staff member, or external supervisor addressing the criteria below..
3. Resume/CV- Maximum of 2 pages (such as an NSF or NIH biosketch)

Evaluation Criteria

The nomination form will ask the nominator to briefly describe the relationship with the nominee and provide brief but specific examples of each of the following criteria:

• Originality, Creativity and Significance of Scholarship, Civic Engagement, and/or Community Building
• External Recognition and/or Evidence of Enhancing Drexel’s Reputation
• Internal Recognition and/or University Partnership
• Impact on the Field and/or Community (Drexel, Local, Regional, National or Societal)

Award Selection & Distribution

The Office of Graduate Studies appoints a diverse group of faculty and professional staff representing Drexel's Colleges and Schools to review nominations and select University-level awardees based on the evaluation criteria. Awards are usually distributed each year at a Graduate Student Excellence Awards Ceremony & Reception.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies at gradawards@drexel.edu.

Visit the Office of Graduate Studies website for more information about the Graduate Student Excellence Awards.