For her efforts in expanding access to graduate programs, Dr. Julie Masterson, associate provost and dean of Missouri State University’s Graduate College, received the Debra W. Stewart Award for Outstanding Leadership in Graduate Education.

The award was presented during an award ceremony at the Council of Graduate Schools’ (CGS) 64th Annual Meeting in St. Louis Dec. 4-7.

Created in 2016 by the CGS Board of Directors, this award recognizes outstanding leadership in graduate education. It focuses on leadership qualities exemplified by Stewart, the council’s fifth president.

Masterson said receiving this award from CGS is an incredible honor, as the organization has been a source of guidance and inspiration throughout her time as grad dean.

“While the award recognizes an individual, the credit truly belongs to the entire MSU graduate education community. They’ve consistently supported news ways of thinking and doing, making it feasible for more people to earn an advanced degree. This will make a lasting impact not only on the graduates, but also their families and communities.”

Masterson’s contributions

At Missouri State, Masterson’s efforts for increasing graduate enrollment broke records for seven consecutive years. Applications for degrees increased by 72%, while the total number of graduate students grew by 27%, thanks to her innovative marketing and recruitment strategies.

She also expanded the university’s graduate programs by leading the effort to gain state and national approval for offering professional doctoral degrees. Furthermore, she created initiatives that improved access for nontraditional, underrepresented and first-generation students, reducing time-to-degree, enhancing completion and increasing retention.

“The recognition through the Debra W. Stewart Award underscores the significance of Julie’s impactful initiatives in advancing graduate education,” said Michael Cunningham, chair of the CGS Board of Directors and associate provost for graduate studies and research at Tulane University.

“Her work in creating dual degrees and fostering collaborations with international partners demonstrates a commitment to global learning. Additionally, her establishment of a community Graduate Assistantship program demonstrates her efforts to integrate students into local engagement opportunities.”

Dr. John Jasinski, former Missouri State provost, wrote a letter of support for Masterson’s nomination. He praised her for exemplifying the spirit of the award by promoting and increasing graduate education on campus.

“Julie’s commitment to Missouri State’s academic advancement will have a lasting impact,” he said.

More about CGS and the award

CGS is an organization of about 460 institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada engaged in graduate education, research and the preparation of candidates for advanced degrees.

Award nominees must be a current senior graduate dean at CGS member institutions and cannot be active members of the CGS Board of Directors.

Member institutions submit nominations, which are then reviewed by a selection committee of former graduate deans in the CGS community. The committee considers nominees with a strong reputation for ethics and integrity, a history of active participation in the graduate community and a record of strategic vision and actions resulting in meaningful impacts.

The award includes a $4,000 prize to support continuing innovations at the winner’s institution.

Explore the Graduate College