Rick Sheets Outstanding Tutor Award

History of the Award

The Outstanding Tutor Award was established in 1995 by CRLA’s International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC) committee, and was renamed the "Rick Sheets Outstanding Tutor Award" in 2016. This award honors undergraduate peer tutors from CRLA-certified programs who demonstrate excellence, leadership, and commitment to student success.

Who Are We Looking For?

Applicants must:

• Be an undergraduate student with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Serve as a tutor in a CRLA ITTPC-certified program
• Hold CRLA certification at Level 1, 2, or 3
• Demonstrate a strong pattern of growth and success as a tutor

What Does the Outstanding Tutor Receive?

• A plaque and $250 honorarium
• Recognition during the CRLA Annual Conference
• Featured biography on the CRLA website
• Conference invitation and up to $250 in travel reimbursement

How to Nominate a Tutor

The nomination application includes:

• A completed Supervisor Application Form
• Letter of support from a faculty member
• Unofficial transcript (GPA verification)
• Highest-level CRLA ITTPC certificate
• Recent tutor evaluation (within the past year)
• A 500–750 word student essay

Deadline: All materials must be submitted by June 30, 2025, 11:59 PM.

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Previous Award Recipients

2025 Award Recipient: Lauren Cinquino

Lauren Cinquino is an EMT, coach, and dedicated peer tutor whose commitment to helping others defines everything she does. Whether she’s supporting students academically, guiding athletes, or responding to medical emergencies, Lauren brings compassion, focus, and professionalism to every role. She will graduate from Seton Hall University in December 2025 and plans to begin medical school next year as she continues her lifelong dedication to service and patient care.

2024 Award Recipient: Sara Petersen

Sara Petersen is earning her B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa in Communication Sciences & Disorders and Spanish. She plans to pursue a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology and later a Ph.D. with a multilingual emphasis.

2023 Award Recipient: Ricardo Santana

Ricardo tutors in the Writing Center at Bergen Community College. He also helped launch peer tutoring support at local high schools and intends to pursue a public-sector legal career.

2021 Award Recipient: Ronja Martine Olsen

Ronja is an international student from Norway studying Physics and Mathematics at Hofstra University. She plans to earn a Ph.D. in astrophysics and specialize in astrochemistry research.