The Harshini V. de Silva Graduate Mentor Award committee is soliciting nominations for the 2026 award. This award was established in memory of Dr. Harshini de Silva, an associate professor of biology. She was noted for her deep dedication to the academic and professional development of graduate students.
Each year, the Chancellor’s Office and the Graduate School present this award to a full-time member of the graduate faculty who evinces these qualities of outstanding graduate mentoring. The recipient will be
honored at a ceremony held on the UNC Charlotte campus in the spring with an award of a crystal obelisk, a framed citation, and a cash prize.
All UNC Charlotte regular graduate faculty members are eligible to receive this recognition. Nominees should be distinguished, active scholars in their appropriate fields and should have a proven record of continuing interest in the growth and success of their students. Evidence of an outstanding graduate mentor should include activities that demonstrate an apparent dedication to providing graduate students with the skills and resources that they need to succeed as scholars and a sincere and active interest in the well-being of their students. These efforts should be related to professional appointments and accomplishments of former students as scholars. Although graduate students, past or present, staff, and faculty members of the University may recommend graduate faculty members for this award, nominations should come from chairs of academic departments. If the nominee is a department chair, the nomination should be made by the college dean.
Nomination materials should include at least the following:
- A letter of nomination clearly explaining the nominee’s qualifications. What sets this individual apart from the ordinary in their devotion to graduate students and to graduate education? Also, evidence should be presented that the nominee’s commitment to graduate student education goes significantly beyond that of the average, dedicated member of the graduate faculty.
- A copy of the nominee’s curriculum vitae, highlighting activities conducted with graduate students.
- Up to six letters of support from graduate students, faculty, alumni, and others.
- A statement from the nominee discussing their perspective on the role of mentoring in graduate education.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, November 7, 2025. Visit the Graduate School’s website to submit your online nomination form.
Link to nomination form: https://forms.gle/PG233KJBdmtoi3Zj9
Link to webpage: https://sites.google.com/uncc.edu/gs-award-gateway/home/harshini-v-de-silva-graduate-mentor-award
Please contact Christi Skerlak at cskerlak@charlotte.edu with any questions.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to honor deserving candidates.
