John S. Diekhoff Award

For Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentoring

The John S. Diekhoff Award is presented to four full-time faculty members who make exemplary contributions to the education and development of graduate students at Case Western Reserve University. The award was created in honor of John Diekhoff, who served in several capacities during his tenure here. From 1956 to 1970, he served as professor of English, chair of the Department of English, dean of Cleveland College, acting dean of the School of Graduate Studies and vice provost of the university.

In 1978, the university created the award to recognize outstanding contributions to the education of graduate students through advising, mentoring, and classroom teaching. Initially, the award was presented to two full-time faculty members who serve as outstanding mentors to graduate students, connect them with experts in their discipline, engage them academically, and actively promote their professional development. In 2009, the award was expanded to recognize two full-time faculty members who excel in the teaching of graduate students.

The award is sponsored by the School of Graduate Studies. A committee of graduate students reviews the nominations and recommends the winners.

Fill out an application to join the 2022-23 Diekhoff committee! Applications are due on Monday, January 9, 2023. 

Review the criteria for nominating faculty. Nominations for the 2022-23 academic year are open now! To nominate a faculty member, please fill out the teaching award nomination form or the mentoring award form by Sunday, January 22, 2023. 

Congratulations to Our 2022 Winners

Award for Graduate Teaching

	Jessica Kelley - Sociology Read the Daily for more on Professor Kelley's methods involving creating an interactive classroom environment where students are encouraged to engage in conversation to guide learning.
	Nathanial Schreiner - Nursing Find out about how Professor Schreiner's years in clinical practice prepared him for his teaching role and showed him that teaching goes on everywhere in his article in the Daily.

Award for Graduate Mentoring

	Karen Abbott - Biology Read his article in the Daily about how Professor Abbott has come to recognize that taking care of grad students is one of the single most important things we can do to keep our research communities vibrant and healthy.
	Polyxeni Philippidou - Neurosciences Find out more about Professor Philippidou's motto "there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to mentoring; it’s based on a teaching philosophy of accessibility, clear communication and empathy" in her article in the Daily.

See the list of all prior winners for the John S. Diekhoff Awards.

Congratulations to Our 2022 Nominees!