Instructions for Nominees

Instructions for Nominees

Being selected as a Trustee Scholar is the highest honor a Ringling College student can be awarded and acknowledges the accomplishments of students who demonstrate campus leadership and community service, as well as excellence in their work. As a candidate, your portfolio and supporting materials will be presented to a select group of Ringling College Trustees who choose the recipients of the award. Please review the Trustee Scholars Program Description and instructions for the written and visual presentation to learn more about the submission process.

The following materials must be submitted to Academic Affairs on the respective dates. You will be sent instructions on where to upload your digital files. Written files should be submitted in a PDF file format.

• written statement (due March 3, 2023 by 4:00 p.m.) 
•  list of contributions to Ringling, your department and/or the community, i.e. collaborative  projects, associations, personal achievements, on-campus leadership, mentoring experiences
  (due March 3, 2023 by 4:00 p.m.)
• Resume (due March 3, 2023 by 4:00 p.m.)
• three minute Quick Time File with your visual presentation  (due March 17, 2023 by 4:00 p.m.) 

The quality of your presentation is very important. Your materials should be well written, organized and professional.

You will be informed of the committee’s decision in mid-April.

Instructions for Preparing a Visual Presentation

Nominees are asked to prepare a visual presentation of their work.

The nature of your visual presentation may vary depending on what is appropriate for your major. The content can focus entirely on artwork or projects you are producing for classes or clients.

The presentation should focus on your work with a short personal introduction. In many cases the presentation can benefit from explanatory information or commentary about a process or assignment. Integrate descriptive information into your visual presentation if it is relevant. Oral commentary is preferable to text and adding music is not always advisable. The presentation should be well paced, with an audible and relevant soundtrack. Remember your audience.

How well you present yourself will be evaluated and it is recommended that you discuss your presentation with your department head.

Visual presentations should be submitted as a high resolution video, maximum length of three minutes. Files should be exported as an .mp4 file.  Resolution for HD video should be 720 x 1280.

If you are unsure of the technical requirements, seek assistance from your faculty.

Guidelines for Written Statement

Nominees are asked to prepare a written statement to demonstrate good communication and thinking skills. Since you are being evaluated on your written materials, all documentation must be presented without spelling or grammatical errors. It is highly recommended that you have all documents reviewed by a specialist in the Student Learning Center. Please contact them (slc@ringling.edu) or use the portal to make an appointment before submitting your materials.

We ask that you prepare a written statement that addresses the following points:

1. Discuss your educational experience at Ringling College of Art + Design and how the College, faculty, staff and student body have contributed to your artistic, intellectual and/or personal development. Nominees from Student Life may choose to focus their discussion on leadership and/or mentoring initiatives.

2. Provide specific examples of how you have taken responsibility for your own artistic and personal development.

Your statement should not exceed 700 words. Content is more important than length. Be sure your name and department appears on the top of all documents.

Materials should be uploaded to Google Drive by 4:30 Friday, March 3. You can contact Carley Massing at cmassing@ringling.edu or by phone at 941-359-7537, if you have questions.

Program Description

Trustee Scholars Program

The distinction of Trustee Scholar is the highest honor awarded to students at Ringling College of Art and Design. Given by the Ringling College Board of Trustees, the designation of Trustee Scholar recognizes exceptional creative talent; demonstrated communication and creative thinking skills; and exemplary service, to the department, to the campus, and to the community.

Selected by the heads of each academic department and the Office of Student Life, nominees for Trustee Scholar are forwarded to the Board of Trustees for final selection. In making its decisions, the Board considers the following criteria:

• Exceptional creative talent, communication skills, and distinction of mind;
• Contributions to the department, College, and/or community; and
• Leadership, citizenship, and mentorship.

Every spring, the heads of the academic departments and the Office of Student Life each select two nominees to represent their areas as Trustee Scholars. Nominees submit portfolios that include slides and/or videos sharing information about themselves, their work, and their inspirations; a written statement describing their journeys and aspirations; evidence of their contributions and service to the department, school, and/or community; and a resume. These materials are then presented to the ad hoc Trustee Scholars Selection Committee of the Board of Trustees for review and recommendation to the full Board at its April Board meeting. Students selected as Trustee Scholars must complete their senior semesters on campus. The submission portfolios of the award recipients are housed on file in the Alfred R. Goldstein Library.

Every Trustee Scholar is awarded a $6,000 scholarship; the runners-up each receive a $1,000 scholarship. The Scholars are honored at a hallmark event in the fall following their selection. Trustee Scholars may represent the institution in various ways, attending events or engaging with partners and friends of the College. Trustee Scholars often serve as mentors to other students, inspiring them to reach higher and helping them to achieve their goals.