The Outstanding Teaching Assistant (OTA) Award is a departmental-level award granted by Graduate Division on behalf of the departments to recognize teaching excellence within specific fields. OTA Award recipients are recognized during the annual Graduate Division Excellence in Teaching Banquet held in the Spring term.

Please Note: the banquet is for awardees only. We regret that we cannot extend invitations to additional guests (+1s). Due to budget constraints, only Distinguished Teaching Award (DTA) recipients and DTA honorable mention recipients are allowed to bring guests who RSVPed in advance. 

FAQ

• What are the benefits of this award?

  Award recipients are invited to attend the Graduate Division Excellence in Teaching Banquet at which time they will be recognized for their OTA Award.

• Who gives out this award?

  The OTA Awards are presented by Graduate Division on behalf of the departments.

• How many awards will be granted?

  The number of awards will depend on the number of available TAships for each department.

• What quarters are eligible for consideration?

  Any graduate student TA or Associate-In who taught during Spring 2024, Fall 2024, and/or Winter 2025 quarter(s). Summer term Associate-In appointments are not eligible for consideration of this award. Students who graduated in Fall 2024 and/or Winter 2025 are still eligible for the award.

• How is this award different from the Distinguished Teaching Award (DTA)?

  The OTA Award is a department-level award recognizing graduate student teaching assistant within a department. There is no monetary prize associated with the OTA Awards. OTA Awards are determined by the department and granted by Graduate Division on behalf of the department. The DTA is a campus level award recognizing 2-3 graduate students nominated for exceptional teaching ability and is accompanied by a monetary prize. The DTAs are determined by a committee appointed by, and granted by, Graduate Division.

• I’m a graduate student, can I nominate myself?

  No. Departments who employ TAs will determine who to nominate. 

• How can I find out which factors were used in determing OTA award winners?

  Contact the department(s) for which you TA’ed in Spring 2023, Fall 2023, and Winter 2024 and inquire about their selection criteria. Selection criteria varies by department.