Introducing: The Dean's List : Celebrating Excellence

— 12.02.18

We're delighted to launch a brand new award for third year undergraduates of Sheffield University Management School; it's called The Dean's List.

Students will need to self-submit a thorough case to demonstrate how they are helping to embody the Mission and Vision of SUMS. The criteria, which includes gaining a high 2:1 (or above), includes key graded areas around social responsibility and employability.

Traditionally, a dean's list is automatic enrolment for the very highest academic achievers. A quick Google search shows that this is often the case in the United States. The difference with the SUMS Dean's List is that the criteria enables students to put forth their achievements more broadly, including areas outside of the classroom and also outside of academia. So enterprising students who may have led on a campaign promoting mental health could use this as evidence of their social action. If a student has volunteered their time and efforts to help with the business strategy of a local charity that is an example of employability.

The Dean's List enables students to submit their own unique examples which are then reviewed and carefully graded by the shortlisting panel consisting of:

  • The Dean (of Sheffield University Management School)
  • The Associate Dean Learning and Teaching
  • The Associate Dean International, Alumni and Accreditation
  • The External Relations and Alumni Manager

Of course, the application process will be looking for supporting evidence so anecdotal feedback/summaries will hold less sway than references, testimonies and printed articles that verify the involvement (both in terms of length of service and impact).

It is hoped that Dean’s List winners will respond to this challenge and aspire to be part of an exclusive alumni community. In terms of the winners’ package, they will receive a personalised reference from The Dean, an engraved trophy and also a permanent acknowledged fitted within the SUMS building.

The real accolade is the opportunity for winners’ to be affiliated with SUMS Advisory Board and Business networks where personal connections will be introduced to help boost their burgeoning careers.