NISOD Student Essay Contest

NISOD invites students at NISOD-member colleges to participate in NISOD’s Student Essay Contest!

Students describe in a 500-word (or less) essay a faculty member, staff member, or administrator who encouraged them during their academic journey and how that encouragement helped them reach their goal(s).

The Prize
Three (3) winning student authors will each receive:

$1,000 USD
Travel to the International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, which includes:
Up to $400 USD toward travel to Austin, Texas;
Up to two (2) nights lodging (Saturday and Sunday 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 25.)

Each of the faculty members, staff members, or administrators featured in the winning essays, will receive:

$1,000 USD
Travel to the International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, which includes:
Up to $400 USD toward travel to Austin, Texas;
Up to two (2) nights lodging (Saturday and Sunday nights only);
One (1) complimentary conference registration.
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.

Eligibility Requirements
Student must be enrolled at a NISOD member college to participate. Check to see if your college is a member here.

Students must be at least 18 years old by May 2025.

The faculty, staff member, or administrator written about in the essay must be employed by the college.

The student and the faculty, staff member, or administrator written about in the essay must be able to travel to Austin to participate in the Student Essay Contest presentation held during NISOD’s annual conference.

2025 Timeline
Contest opens: August 19, 2024
Submission deadline: March 7, 2025
Winners notified: March 14, 2025
Winner acceptance due: March 21, 2025
Prize presented and essay read at NISOD conference: May 25, 2025