College of Computing Annual Awards and Honors

The College of Computing Office of the Dean has worked with Institute Leadership and the Office of Human Resources to submit our awards each year since FY2020 to USG for approval. All awards have been approved from last year and we have added a handful of new awards.

The College of Computing is pleased to celebrate the accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and students. Please help us honor our Community through recognition of our dedicated contributors. It is our hope that this site (and the College of Computing Awards Committee) encourages action, provides the information, and offers the guidance necessary to facilitate that recognition.

Sincerely,

The CoC Awards Committee

NOMINATION FORM FOR ALL AWARDShttps://gatech.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9HsBAXJDqJTcwCO

DEADLINE: February 9, 2024

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Any new college or school awards must be submitted by formal request to the Office of the Dean. All employee awards remain under annual review along with those of all the other USG Institutions according to the USG Incentive Compensation and Rewards Policy.

The Qualtrics form used for the nomination will not allow uploads. All information must be included in the text boxes. Please be sure to provide the award name as listed on this page (some are very close in name), your contact information, and the nominee's information. It is also helpful to state whether you are having someone send additional letters of support.

Please also see the links to Institute awards on this page. You can find additional Institute event information at specialevents.gatech.edu (note that this page is updated when all of the Institute awards groups let them know the new information each year).

Please ask questions via email awards (at) cc.gatech.edu or the awards committee member in your school or division.

Before making a nomination, please review the College's list of past winners as some awards may not be given twice within a certain number of years.

View Recipients of Past College Awards
 

Dean's Office Awards

The Dean’s Award

This is an award or number of awards that will be presented to faculty or staff (or a group) in the College showing exceptional levels of performance and achievement that align with one of the primary areas of strategic focus of the College. Ideal recipients are those who, in the Dean’s opinion, represent(s) the best of the College and emulate outstanding dedication to the College. Significant impact on the College community and especially students and on research/teaching connections is may also be recognized with this award. Additionally, this award may be presented to an individual or group of faculty, staff or students who have contributed to improvements or strategic solutions for the operational and reputation building sides of the College of Computing. 

  • Selected by the Dean 
The James D. Lester III Endowment Award

Established by Faye R. and James D. Lester III, this annual award is presented to a faculty member who has made significant, high quality, innovative contributions to their field of study, visibly impacting one or more mission areas. It is expected that such contributions would have brought widespread recognition to the researcher, his/her lab, and the Institute. This award is specifically directed to research in internet phenomena (this can include but is not limited to animation, gaming, email, music, video, television and film). 

  • Selected at the discretion of the Dean or his/her appointed designee(s).  
The Dean’s Inclusive Excellence Award 

The Inclusive Excellence Award recognizes staff, faculty, or students who make outstanding contributions to the College of Computing community in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This can be by way of official committee or strategic work to develop awareness in these areas or individual impact. Special consideration will be given to those serving in a capacity that drive the Institute and College level initiatives to progression. 

  • Selected by the Dean 

Faculty Awards - Research

CoC Outstanding Senior Faculty Research Award

This award is given to a Full Professor who has made significant research contributions. Criteria for this award include the quality of publications and the significance and impact of the research.  

  • An individual may receive this award not more than once every four years.
  • Who is Eligible: Full Professors
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty
  • Similar Institute Awards to consider:
    • Sigma Xi Best Faculty Paper Award
    • Sigma Xi Sustained Research Award
    • Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Advisor Award
    • Outstanding Achievement in Research Program Development Award
    • Outstanding Faculty Research Author Award
    • Outstanding Achievement in Research Innovation Award
    • Senior Faculty Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award
CoC Outstanding Mid-Career Faculty Research Award 

This award is given to an Associate Professor who has made significant research contributions. Criteria for this award include the quality of publications and the significance and impact of the research.  

  • An individual may receive this award not more than once every four years.
  • Who is Eligible: Associate Professors
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty
  • Similar Institute Awards to consider:
    • Sigma Xi Best Faculty Paper Award
    • Sigma Xi Sustained Research Award
    • Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Advisor Award
    • Outstanding Achievement in Research Program Development Award
    • Outstanding Faculty Research Author Award
    • Outstanding Achievement in Research Innovation Award
    • Senior Faculty Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award
CoC Outstanding Junior Faculty Research Award

This award is given to an Assistant Professor who has made significant research contributions. Criteria for this award include the quality of publications and the significance and impact of the research.  

  • An individual may receive this award not more than once every four years.
  • Who is Eligible: Assistant Professors
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty
  • Similar Institute Awards to consider:
    • Sigma Xi Young Faculty Award
    • Sigma Xi Best Faculty Paper Award
    • CTL/BP Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence Award
CoC Outstanding Research Scientist Award – Research

This award is given to a Research Scientist who has made significant research contributions. Criteria for this award include the quality of publications and the significance and impact of the research.  

  • Who is Eligible: All Research Faculty
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Staff
CoC Outstanding Post-Doctoral Research Award

This award is given to a postdoctoral researcher for outstanding research. Criteria for this award include the quality of publications and the significance and impact of the research.  

  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty
CoC Outstanding Research Faculty Leadership Award

This award is given to a Research Scientist in recognition of outstanding leadership contributions that have resulted in a significant positive impact on the College of Computing, the Institute, or the computing community. It is expected that awardees will have demonstrated impactful leadership in collaborative research programs, community outreach, College of Computing or campus initiatives, or service to the profession.  

  • Who is Eligible: All Research Faculty
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Staff

Faculty Awards – Teaching, Mentoring & Leadership

The William A. “gus” Baird Faculty Teaching Award

This award is for all ranks of Faculty and is named after "gus" Baird. He was known as gus with a small "g". He had many memorable sayings that his students called, "gus-isms".  Nominees should possess qualities such as a love for teaching and way with students that goes beyond strategy and technique and makes them stand out just as "gus" Baird did. This award is given to a member of the faculty who has made significant, high- quality, and innovative contributions to instruction in the College of Computing.  

  • Must have taught at least two courses for a minimum of six credits during the previous calendar year, with at least one being an undergraduate course.
  • An individual may receive this award not more than once every four years.
  • Who is Eligible: Faculty
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Students, Staff
  • Similar Institute Awards to consider:
    • Class of 1940 Outstanding Teacher
The William D. "Bill" Leahy Jr. Outstanding Instructor Award

This award is named after Senior Lecturer "Bill" Leahy (Senior Lecturer Emeritus and former Director of the Division of Computing Instruction). The qualities to consider when making a nomination are those that Bill Leahy was known for: uniqueness and enthusiasm in teaching, thorough knowledge of the subject being taught, genuine interest in making an impact, excellent communication skills, responsiveness to students and availability and accessibility to students. This award is given to a lecturer who has made significant, high-quality, innovative contributions to instruction in the College of Computing. 

  • Who is Eligible: Lecturers who are not Tenure-Track Faculty
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Students, Staff
  • Similar Institute Awards to consider:
    • CTL Undergraduate Educator Award
    • CTL Innovation in laboratory instruction Award
The Monica Sweat Outstanding Lecturer in External Engagement Award

This award has been created in honor of Senior Lecturer Emerita Monica Sweat's 20 years of service within Georgia Tech's College of Computing's Division of Computing Instruction (DCI). It is awarded to a non-tenure track lecturer whose performance honors her legacy of excellence in teaching and whose work promotes increased reputation and impact. This award will honor excellence in teaching and contributions to the computing community such as publications; presentations; and/or interviews regarding teaching, service, or research that have shown the College and particularly DCI as a leader in Computer Science Education. 

  • Who is Eligible: Lecturers who are not Tenure-Track Faculty
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Students, Staff
  • Similar Institute Awards to consider:
    • CTL Undergraduate Educator Award
    • CTL Innovation in laboratory instruction Award
CoC Outstanding Junior Faculty Teaching Award 

This award is given to an Assistant Professor who, on arrival, has made significant, high-quality, and innovative contributions to instruction in the College of Computing. Possible contributions include but are not limited to student-recognized effectiveness, demonstrated commitment to student-centered learning and classroom engagement, and/or development of new courses or updating existing course content to meet the evolving needs of the profession.  

  • Must have taught at least two courses for a minimum of six credits during the previous calendar year, with at least one being an undergraduate course.
  • An individual may receive this award not more than once every four years.
  • Who is Eligible: Faculty
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Students, Staff
  • Similar Institute Awards to consider:
    • Class of 1940 Outstanding Teacher
CoC Outstanding Faculty Leadership Award 

This award is given to a faculty member in recognition of an outstanding record of leadership that has resulted in a significant positive impact on the College of Computing, the Institute, or the computing community. It is expected that awardees will have demonstrated impactful leadership in student education or curriculum, community outreach, College of Computing or campus initiatives, or service to the profession. 

  • Must have taught at least two courses for a minimum of six credits during the previous calendar year, with at least one being an undergraduate course.
  • An individual may receive this award not more than once every four years.
  • Who is Eligible: Faculty
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Staff
CoC Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award

This award is given to a tenure-track faculty member who consistently models excellent mentoring techniques, processes, or results. Selection criteria include the overall impact of the faculty member on the greater community as measured by impact on mentored faculty teaching, research and/or service.  

  • Award Amount $500
  • Who is Eligible: Tenure-Track Faculty
  • Who Can Nominate: Tenure-Track Faculty
Outstanding Instructional Associate Teaching Award 

This award is given for outstanding performance as a college hired online teaching assistant.  Considerations when making a nomination include enthusiasm in teaching, knowledge of the subject matter, thorough engagement with students, course enrichment activities developed, process enhancements implemented, and other impactful contributions.  

  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty and students

Staff Awards

Outstanding Staff Leadership Award

This award is given to a full-time administrative staff member (a staff group may also be eligible as a team) in recognition of an outstanding record of leadership that has resulted in a significant positive impact on the College of Computing, the Institute, or the computing community. It is expected that awardees will have demonstrated impactful leadership through significant roles in furthering College of Computing or campus initiatives, exemplary management/supervision of others, developed innovative solutions to problems that result in significantly more effective and efficient department/College/Institute operations, or enhanced the quality of work-life in ways that make a significant difference.  

  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Students, Staff 
  • Who is eligible: Staff individuals/team 
CoC Outstanding Staff Team Member Award

This award is given to a staff member in recognition of outstanding performance as a member of a team. It is expected that awardees will have demonstrated exemplary performance as a team member in a manner that has produced a significant impact on the College of Computing or the Institute community, including students, staff, and/or faculty. Considerations when making a nomination include major achievements providing outstanding and ongoing excellence in services to faculty, staff, students and/or other customers; contributing to ways that improve team effectiveness; and setting an example of dedication, commitment, and a strong work ethic.   

  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Students, Staff 
  • Who is eligible: Staff individuals 
CoC Outstanding Staff Community Building Award

This award is given to a full-time administrative staff member (a staff group may also be eligible as a team) for outstanding work in building communities across the College or Institute. Considerations when making a nomination include major achievements in mobilizing communities across the College of Institute that identify, describe, and address challenges; support new initiatives or deliver improvements to existing programs or policies; or foster a culture of professionalism.   

  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Students, Staff 
  • Who is eligible: Staff individuals/team 
 CoC Outstanding Staff Impact Award

This award is given to a full-time administrative staff or team who through loyalty and dedication has made impactful contributions to the College of Computing community not recognized through other awards. An individual or team may receive this award not more than once every four years. Considerations when making a nomination include providing outstanding and ongoing excellence in services to faculty, staff, students and/or other customers; enhancing the quality of work-life in ways that make a significant difference for colleagues or customers; and setting an example of leadership, commitment and a strong work ethic.  

  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Students, Staff 
  • Who is eligible: Staff individual/teams 
 CoC Outstanding Academic Advising Award 

This award is given to a full-time administrative staff member in recognition of exemplary performance in academic advising including dedication to excellence in all dimensions of student success. Considerations when making a nomination include supporting students with kindness and respect, thorough knowledge of institutional and program policies integrity and professionalism, and commitment to the academic advising profession.   

  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Students, Staff 
  • Who is eligible: Staff individuals/team 
CoC Outstanding Staff Mentoring Award 

This award is given to a full-time administrative staff member who consistently models excellent mentoring techniques, processes, or results. Selection criteria include the overall impact of staff on the greater community as measured by impact on mentored staff performance, service, and other contributions.   

  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Students, Staff 
  • Who is eligible: Staff individuals/team 

Graduate Student Awards

Outstanding Graduate Head Teaching Assistant Award 

This award is given for outstanding performance as a graduate head teaching assistant. Considerations when making a nomination include effective management of other teaching assistants, exemplary communication with the course instructor, and other contributions to course organization or processes. 

  • An individual head Teaching Assistant may not receive this award more than once. 
  • Who is Eligible: Graduate students who have carried out head Teaching Assistant duties in person or online 
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty and students  

Similar Institute Awards to consider in addition -  

We encourage you to also consider an Institute nomination for the: 

  • CTL Outstanding Graduate Head TA Award
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award

Some qualities to consider when making a nomination: enthusiasm in teaching, knowledge of subject matter, interest in making an impact, excellent communication skills, and thorough engagement with students.

  • An individual Teaching Assistant may not receive this award more than once.
  • Who is Eligible: Graduate students who have carried out TA / teaching assistant duties
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty
  • Similar Institute CTL Awards to consider:
    • CTL Graduate Student Instructor of the Year
    • CTL Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year
    • CTL Online Head Teaching Assistant of the Year
    • CTL Online Teaching Assistant of the Year
Outstanding Graduate Research Assistant Award

Some qualities to consider when making a nomination: exceptional research and relations with the research advisor, interest in making an impact and co-authored written and presented publications.

  • Who is Eligible: Graduate students who are designated research
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty
Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award

This award is given for outstanding doctoral dissertation research and writing by College of Computing Ph.D. students. Considerations when making a nomination include novelty and impact of the research and quality of the dissertation writing. This award is the only College award where solicitations are made in the fall in order to also nominate dissertations for the ACM Doctoral Dissertation Award.  

  • Who is Eligible: Ph.D. Students that successfully defended between October of last year and September of this year.
  • Who Can Nominate: Ph.D. Advisors
  • Similar Institute Awards to consider:
    • Sigma Xi Best PhD Thesis Award
CoC Outstanding MS Research Award

This award is given for outstanding research conducted by a master’s student. Considerations when making a nomination include impact of the research including publications, presentations, technical reports, invention disclosures, useful software tools, or other tangible research deliverables. 

  • Who is Eligible: Master's Students
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty
Donald V. Jackson Fellowship

Established by Jeannie Jackson in memory of her husband, Don Jackson, a 1971 master’s graduate of IS and a 1965 bachelor’s math graduate. This award supports the College Master’s program and is awarded to a well-rounded, first-year Master's student - 1 from each school within the College of Computing; SCS (School of Computer Science), SIC (School of Interactive Computing), CSE (School of Computational Science & Engineering, SCP (School of Cybersecurity & Privacy)]. Awards should go to students who best embody Don’s values of academic excellence and leadership.  

  • Who is Eligible: First-year Master's Students
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty
Marshall D. Williamson Fellowship:

Established by Billie I. Williamson in memory of her husband, Marshall Williamson, a 1969 master’s graduate of IS. This award will support the College Master’s program and be awarded to a well-rounded, second-year Master's student who best embodies Marshall’s values of academic excellence and leadership (4 recipients - 1 each in the areas of Computer Science, Computational Science & Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, and Information Security).

  • Who is Eligible: Second-year Master's Students
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty
Rising Star Doctoral Student Research Award (formerly the CS 7001 Research Award)

The Ph.D. Rising Star Research Award recognizes first-year Ph.D. students who have made meritorious research contributions during their first semester. Considerations when making nominations include exceptional research and interactions with the research project supervisor, substantial accomplishments within the one-semester period, and actual or anticipated contributions to co-authored publications and presentations. Contributions may be made through a class like CS 7001, participation in funded research projects, or any other research activities supervised by College of Computing faculty.  

  • Who is Eligible: Current Academic year CS 7001 Students /1st-year CoC Students
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty

 

Undergraduate Student Awards

CoC Outstanding Undergraduate Head Teaching Assistant Award (new)

This award is given for outstanding performance as an undergraduate head teaching assistant. Considerations when making a nomination include effective management of other teaching assistants, exemplary communication with the course instructor, and other contributions to course organization or processes. 

  • An individual head Teaching Assistant may not receive this award more than once. 
  • Who is Eligible: Undergraduate students who have carried out head Teaching Assistant duties  
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty and Students 
CoC Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Award

This award is given for outstanding performance as an undergraduate teaching assistant. Considerations when making a nomination include enthusiasm in teaching, knowledge of the subject matter, thorough engagement with students, course enrichment activities developed, process enhancements implemented, and other impactful contributions.  

  • An individual Teaching Assistant may not receive this award more than once.
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty
  • Similar Institute Awards to consider:
    • CTL Undergraduate Teaching Assistant of the Year
CoC Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award

This award is for a College of Computing undergraduate student conducting research for credit or pay. Considerations when making a nomination include impact of the research including publications, presentations, technical reports, thesis, invention disclosures, useful software tools, or other tangible research deliverables. It is preferred that the research has been or will be presented in one of the College or Institute competitions or recognized in some way.

  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty
CoC Outstanding First Year Leadership Award 

This award may be awarded to a first-year student and is both based on GPA and a demonstration of leadership through extracurricular activities. This award is given to a first-year student in recognition of outstanding leadership contributions through extracurricular activities that are not recognized through other awards. It is expected that awardees will have demonstrated impactful leadership outside the classroom through community outreach, club or team participation, College of Computing or campus initiatives, or other service.  

  • Award Amount: $500
  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Staff, Students
CoC Outstanding Second Year Leadership Award

This award may be awarded to a second-year student and is both based on academics  and a demonstration of leadership through extracurricular activities. This award is given to a second-year student in recognition of outstanding leadership contributions through extracurricular activities that are not recognized through other awards. It is expected that awardees will have demonstrated impactful leadership outside the classroom through community outreach, club or team participation, College of Computing or campus initiatives, or other service.

  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Staff, Students
CoC Outstanding Third year EDS Leadership Award

This award may be awarded to a third-year student and is both based on academics and a demonstration of leadership through extracurricular activities. This award is given to a third-year student in recognition of outstanding leadership contributions through extracurricular activities that are not recognized through other awards. It is expected that awardees will have demonstrated impactful leadership outside the classroom through community outreach, club or team participation, College of Computing or campus initiatives, or other service.

  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Staff, Students
CoC Outstanding Legacy Leadership Award

This award may be awarded to a final-year student and is both based on academics and a demonstration of leadership through extracurricular activities. This award is given to a student in their final year of undergraduate studies in recognition of outstanding leadership contributions through extracurricular activities that are not recognized through other awards. It is expected that awardees will have demonstrated impactful leadership outside the classroom through community outreach, club or team participation, College of Computing or campus initiatives, or other service.

  • Who Can Nominate: Faculty, Staff, Students