Benerd Commencement Awards and Dissertations

The Banner Bearer Award goes to a Benerd student who best represents the ideals, values, and mission of Benerd College.

The Outstanding Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Undergraduate Award is given to a undergraduate student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in promoting DEI in the College, their workplace, and/or within their program. The student is selected by the Dean based on recommendations from faculty.

The Outstanding Single Subject Teacher is chosen from amongst undergrad students completing the single subject credential. The recipient must possess outstanding character, demonstrate excellent teaching skills, and show initiative in the teaching field.  In addition, they must display a positive disposition, collegiality, and advocacy in their work in the classroom.

The Outstanding Multiple Subject Teacher is chosen from amongst students completing the undergraduate diversified degree and multiple subject credential, and is a student who shows outstanding character, skills, and initiative in the teaching field.

The Outstanding Graduate in Organizational Leadership is awarded based on academic excellence and embodiment of the goals and ideals of the program--adult students returning to college to finish what they started, overcoming obstacles, and working together with their cohort to achieve their goals.

The Outstanding Graduate in Healthcare Administration & Leadership is awarded based on academic excellence and embodiment of the goals and ideals of enriching the educational environment with their work and life experiences, as well as working collaboratively and supportively in a diverse community of learners.

Outstanding Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Graduate award is given to a graduate student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in promoting DEI in the College, their workplace, and/or within their program. The student is selected by the Dean based on recommendations from faculty.

Master’s in Leadership Organizational Innovator Award is designed to recognize a leader with the most potential to unleash human and organizational potential, linking strategy and innovation.  The Outstanding Organizational Innovator recognizes academic excellence and living the values of the program.

The Outstanding Graduate Single Subject Teacher is chosen from amongst students completing a masters degree and credential, and is a student who shows outstanding character, skills, and initiative in the teaching field.

The Outstanding Graduate Multiple Subject Teacher is chosen from amongst students completing a masters degree and multiple subject credential, and is a student who shows outstanding character, skills, and initiative in the teaching field.

The Outstanding Graduate Special Education Teacher is chosen from amongst students completing a masters degree and credential in special education, and must meet the following criteria:  outstanding character, skills, and initiative in the teaching field.  In addition, they must display a positive disposition, collegiality and advocacy in their work in the classroom.

The Outstanding Service & Leadership in Counseling and School Psychology is given to a graduate student in the Counseling and School Psychology programs for demonstrating exceptional professional skills, the ability to mentor students, and providing leadership within the program.

The Outstanding School Psychologist is chosen from amongst students completing the graduate Educational Specialist Degree in the School Psychology Program and must demonstrate excellence in professional writing, interpersonal communication, professional behavior, and reflective thinking.

The Doctoral Innovation in Research and Practice Award focuses on innovation and creativity with an emphasis on developing practitioners who make a real-world impact through their dissertation.  Each year, we identify a student who has done the most integrate research and practice in an innovative way, both in their coursework and through their dissertation.

The Transformative Action in Research and Practice Award is focused on embodying and implementing transformative leadership practices to make a real-world impact through their dissertation. Each year, we identify a student who has done the most integrate research and practice in a transformative way, both in their coursework and through their dissertation.

The Master's in Health Professions Education Award recognizes the student who embodies the program's goals of developing reflective and collaborative health professions educators who support the development of health professionals through creative and rigorous learning design.