Started in 2014, the Graduate Division Distinguished Teaching Award (DTA) is a highly competitive award recognizing exceptional teaching demonstrated by a graduate student as a Teaching Assistant or an Associate-Instructor. Nominations for the Distinguished Teaching Award can be submitted by self-nomination, faculty, staff, fellow graduate students, or undergraduate students. Nominated graduate students submit a teaching portfolio. Portfolios are submitted to the faculty award selection committee to choose two award recipients—one from the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Bourns College of Engineering, and the Division of Biomedical Sciences, and one from the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, School of Education, School of Public Policy, and School of Business. In some cases a third award is presented. DTA Award recipients are recognized during the annual Graduate Division Excellence in Teaching Banquet in the Spring term and receive a monetary prize.