Instituted in 2002, the AESGS seeks to recognize those who work diligently to advance the status of graduate students throughout UC Davis. We need your help to identify members of the staff, faculty, or administration that have demonstrated their commitment and resolve in pursuing graduate student interests. Nominees will be evaluated by the GSA assembly according to their merit and the winner will be presented with a plaque recognizing their hard work and a gift from the Association.
If you know someone deserving of this honor, please submit a Nomination Form. Nominations are due by 12 noon on March 8, 2013. Nominations are submitted electronically by emailing the necessary forms to <gsavicechair AT ucdavis DOT edu>. Award winners will be selected at the April assembly meeting and the award ceremony will be held at the Interdisciplinary Graduate Student Symposium.
Nomination Form: 
AESGS Form 2013.doc
Past AESGS Recipients
2013 — Christal Wintersmith, student affairs officer and graduate student coordinator at the Biomedical Engineering graduate group, and Dr. Kevin J. Grimm, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology.
2012 — Anna Darbee, Graduate Program Coordinator, Political Science, and Robert Kimsey, Professor, Department of Entomology
2011 — Kerry Enright - Assistant Professor, School of Education
Claire Waters, Associate Professor, Department of English
2010 — Mikaela Huntzinger - Director of Faculty and Grad Student Programs, Teaching Resources Center
2009 — Sylvia Padilla -Student Affairs Officer, the Grad Group in Ecology
2008 — David Hird - Professor, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology
Stephanie Macey-Gallow - Graduate Coordinator, Evolution and Ecology
2007 — Jesus De Loera - Professor, Mathematics
2006 — Amelia Swearingen - Professional Programs Coordinator, School of Education
2005 — Dr. Jeffery Gibeling - Dean, Graduate Studies
Dr. Joan Cadden - Professor, History
Alisha Nork - Graduate Program Assistant, Animal Science
This was the first year that the GSA was allowed to recognize more than one recipient of the AESGS in a single year. Could we have picked three better recipients? We don't think so! Dr. Gibeling has been working with grad students for 25 years and as Dean of Graduate Studies he is responsible for maintaining the quality of academic programs and ensuring that graduate degrees from UCD continue to have value after students receive them. Dean Gibeling also remains up-to-date on the concerns of graduate students and is in constant contact with the GSA.
Dr. Cadden stands out for her willingness to help students on a personal level. We discovered that Dr. Cadden allows students to use her garage while they are between homes. She also used her own grant funds to purchase software to help graduate students prepare for conference talks that affect students professionally. Let us know what happens the next time you want to store that old couch of yours in your professor's garage!
Ms. Nork has also made significant contributions to the graduate student population while serving as a graduate program assistant in the animal science department. Ms. Nork's nomination was supported by a petition with over 75 signatures and she was recognized for her ability to serve as a bridge between students and faculty. Way to go Alisha!
2004 — Celia Davis
Student Services Manager, Mathematics
Ms. Davis has done a tremendous job for graduate students in the Mathematics department. In addition to serving as a staff supervisor, Celia has always made time for recruiting, advising, and mentoring many students. She also is actively seeking more financial support for students in her department. We applaud Celia's determination and self-sacrifice in advancing the status of her graduate students.
2003 — Dr. Debora Paterniti
Associate Director, Center for Health Services Research
Dr. Debora Paterniti is an invaluable mentor to graduate students in the Department of Sociology, especially those specializing in the area of medical sociology. Even though Dr. Paterniti is not formally affiliated with our department, she takes very seriously her role as graduate mentor and, over the last three years, has gained a reputation for being one of the strongest mentors to both graduate and undergraduate students. Her own love of medical sociology and health services research translates into an on-going passion to inspire and support a new generation of sociologists. Support of this kind is particularly crucial for young medical sociologists, for the subfield is often dismissed because of its applied nature and affiliation with the hard sciences. Debora makes these challenges exciting and conquerable. Since Debora's appointment is actually with the UC Davis Medical Center, she receives little formal compensation for sitting on committees or teaching in the Department of Sociology. Even so, Debora continues to mentor students in sociology with a kind of passion and conscientiousness unparalleled in our department.
2002 — Teresa Dillinger
Coordinator, Office of Graduate Studies and the ICC
This was very befitting for the GSA to award our inaugural AESGS to Teresa Dillinger. Teresa has been an irreplaceable asset to the University since she has become the Coordinator of Professional Development between Graduate Studies and the Internship and Career Center. Teresa started the ever more popular Professional Development series for Graduate Students and is very involved in the Professors for the Future program. We are excited to celebrate Teresa's many achievements with this award. When Teresa retires, we should rename the AESGS in her honor!
