NISOD's Annual Student Contests

Describe in a 500-word (or less) essay a faculty member, staff member, or administrator who encouraged you to complete a course, finish a semester, or graduate from college and how that encouragement helped you reach your goal(s).

The 2025 Scott Wright Student Essay Contest is Open!

2025 Timeline

• Contest opens: August 19, 2024
• Submission deadline: March 7, 2025
• Winners notified: March 21, 2025
• Winner acceptance due: April 4, 2025
• Prize and essay presentations at NISOD conference: May 25, 2025

The Prize

Three (3) winning student authors and the faculty members, staff members, or administrators featured in the winning essays will each receive:

• $1,000 USD
• Travel to the International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence (May 28-31 in Austin, Texas), which includes:
  • Up to $400 USD toward travel to Austin, Texas;
  • Up to three (3) nights lodging (Saturday, Sunday, Monday nights only);
  • One (1) complimentary conference registration.

(Note: Winning authors will read their essays on stage during the conference’s Excellence Awards Dinner and Celebration on Sunday, May 25.)

In addition, each winning student author’s college will receive a complimentary one-year NISOD membership.

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Content, originality, clarity, organization, conciseness, and grammar.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must be at least 18 years old and be currently enrolled at a NISOD member college.

The faculty, staff member, or administrator written about in the essay must currently be employed by the college.

The student and the faculty, staff member, or administrator written about in the essay must be able to travel to Austin to participate in the Student Essay Contest presentation held during NISOD’s annual conference.

View past winning essays on the Scott Wright Student Essay Contest homepage.

Submit your essay online!

In 2022, SJR State student, Rebekah Wilson, was chosen as a winner! Read her winning essay! 

If you need help with this or any writing assignment, please visit the writing center in your campus Library!