2025 Call for Nominations

Purpose

Named for Edward Alexander Bouchet, the first African American doctoral recipient in the United States, the Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society (Bouchet Society) recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and promotes diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate. The Bouchet Society was inaugurated on Thursday, September 15, 2005 with a simulcast ceremony held at Yale University and Howard University. As the co-founding chapters, Yale University and Howard University seek to recognize and continue Dr. Bouchet’s pioneering contributions to doctoral education.

At UC San Diego the Bouchet Society seeks to develop a network of preeminent scholars who exemplify academic and personal excellence, foster environments of support, and serve as examples of scholarship, leadership, character, service, and advocacy for students who have been traditionally underrepresented in the academy. In the spirit of Bouchet’s commitment to these pursuits both within and without the academic realm, inductees into the honor society bearing his name should also exhibit these qualities.

Eligibility

Nominees should be doctoral students in high academic standing who have advanced to candidacy, and who exemplify the characteristics of Edward A. Bouchet, including strength of character, leadership, advocacy, service, and scholarly achievement. Application information and materials will be made available annually during fall quarter.

Nominations

To make a nomination please fill out this Google form and attach a letter of nomination to it by 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. 

GEPA staff will follow up with each nominee individually to obtain additional required nomination materials.  A complete nomination packet will include:

• Three letters of recommendation to the Bouchet Graduate Honor Society from:
  •  The nominee’s dissertation advisor
  • A graduate faculty member invested in the nominee’s research
  • A faculty member, dean or director at the nominee’s institution
• A nomination evaluation form from each of three recommenders above (indicating strengths of nominee as regards to the five thrusts of the Honor Society)
• Transcripts from all graduate and professional schools attended
• A current curriculum vitae
• Scholarly writing sample
• A personal statement capturing how the nominee embodies the characteristics of Dr. Bouchet as expressed through the five thrusts and the mission of the Bouchet Graduate Honor Society. Additionally, the candidate should address their anticipated contributions to the Society (2 - 3 pages).

Timeline 

• Once a nomination is received GEPA will reach out to nominees to gather the additional nomination documentation which is typically due in early January.
• The Membership Selection Committee will review all applications in winter quarter and provide a recommendation of inductees for consideration to the National Steering Committee.
• The National Steering Committee reviews all nominated applications submitted from chapter institutions and reserves the right to approve or decline membership into the Bouchet Society.
• Selected students will be supported by GEPA to attend the annual Bouchet Conference on Diversity in Graduate Education held at Yale University in spring quarter where they will also be inducted into the society. 

Past Recipients

Past recipient profiles can be found on our website here: https://grad.ucsd.edu/diversity/programs-resources/bouchet/index.html