Ulys & Vera Knight Mentor Awards

Award Description

Mentoring offers a vital contribution to academic and professional success. At UNT, we are committed to providing a culture of mentoring excellence in all areas that impact academic life. The Ulys & Vera Knight Mentor Awards recognize faculty members who demonstrate sustained excellence in mentoring undergraduate students, graduate students, and/or other faculty. Mentoring may include support and guidance in the areas of teaching, research, service, academic achievement and/or professional development. Faculty members who have initiated departmental or university-wide mentoring programs or created student and/or faculty development programs are eligible for this recognition. In 2025, two awards will be given, each with an engraved commemorative gift and a one-time payment of $1,500:

• The Ulys & Vera Knight Faculty Mentor Award, recognizing excellence in mentoring other UNT faculty members; and
• The Ulys & Vera Knight Student Mentor Award, recognizing excellence in mentoring UNT students. 

Eligibility

• Must have served the University of North Texas for a minimum of three (3) years.
• Must be a full-time professional faculty or tenure-track/tenured faculty member in good standing at the time of the nomination.
• Must demonstrate continued commitment to faculty-to-faculty and/or faculty-to-student mentoring.

Nomination Procedures

A faculty member who meets the above criteria may be nominated by any UNT faculty or university employee with in-depth knowledge of the accomplishments of the nominee. Nominators should inform nominees that they are being nominated and may solicit their assistance in preparing the nomination materials. Self-nominations will also be accepted. 

Submission Process

All nominations should be submitted using the nomination portal. If you have any questions please contact us at Faculty.Success@unt.edu or 940-565-3987.

Selection Process

An award selection committee will represent the faculty at large and the Faculty Senate Mentoring Committee. The Vice Provost for Faculty Success serves as the non-voting chair of the committee. 

Deadline

All completed nomination packets must be received by Faculty Success by 5 p.m. October 9, 2025. See the Call for Nominations for details.

Award Recipients