OCCFR Award for Outstanding Student Parent Support

Nominator Eligibility

• Open to all UW-Madison students (undergraduate, graduate, or professional) who are currently enrolled or were enrolled within the current academic year.
• Must identify as a parent, pregnant/expecting parent, or caregiver for a dependent minor.
• Must have been taught, supervised, or mentored by the nominee during the current academic year (e.g., in a classroom, lab, clinical rotation, or through an academic project).

Nominee Eligibility

Nominees must be current University of Wisconsin–Madison employees in good standing, including:

• Faculty, instructional staff, TAs, research supervisors, or clinical instructors.
• Nominees that have provided direct instruction, research supervision, or academic mentorship to the student nominator within the current academic year.

Use the nomination form to submit your nomination. The form will ask for basic contact information and nominator/nominee details, as well as a nomination letter (max. 800 words) from the parenting student nominee, written in their own words, to tell the story of how this person offered outstanding support and why they deserve this award.

Awards will be selected based on the following criteria. Please consider addressing some or all of these themes in your letter.

• Flexibility & Empathy: How did they show understanding of your unique challenges as a parent and helped you balance your family and academic life (flexible deadlines, accommodations)?
• Welcoming Environment: How did they create a welcoming environment in their classroom, lab, or department? How did their support contribute to your ability to stay in school, graduate, or feel a sense of belonging?
• Resources & Connection: How did they connect you to campus or community resources (OCCFR, child care, grants)?
• Mentorship & Guidance: How did they provide encouragement or professional guidance? Did they create new initiatives specifically for parenting students?
• Evidence of Outstanding Commitment: Provide specific examples or stories that show how this person’s support was exceptional.

2026 OSPS Award Nomination Form

The Award recipient will receive an awardee certificate and be recognized in announcements and press releases through the Office of Child Care and Family Resources and/or UW communication channels. All nominees will receive a nomination certificate and will be copied on a notification of their nomination addressed to their supervisor.