Shuyu Jin Honored with Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award

A woman dressed in a tailored business suit and tie, displaying professionalism in her appearance.

Recognizing the top 2% of over 4,000 graduate assistants annually, this award honors exceptional contributions to the University of Maryland community. 

The Department of Geographical Sciences is proud to announce that Ph.D. student Shuyu Jin has been named the Graduate School’s Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award for 2024-25. As a graduate assistant for multiple courses throughout the academic year—including GEOG 657 Web Programming, GEOG 660 Advanced Remote Sensing Using Lidar, GEOG 670 Open Source GIS, and GEOG 686 Mobile GIS and Geocomputing—Jin has made a lasting impact on students and faculty alike.

For Jin, receiving this award is more than just an acknowledgment of hard work—it’s a validation of her approach to teaching and mentorship. "This award reinforces my belief that my passion for education and commitment to student growth align closely with my academic and research interests," she said. "Beyond that, it highlights my potential for growth in education, especially in making research more accessible to the public."

Jin’s dedication to bridging academic knowledge with real-world applications has made her a standout teaching assistant. Through her work, she has helped students clearly and engagingly understand the complex impact of natural disasters. The meaningful discussions she fosters—both in class and during office hours—have enriched not only her students’ learning but also her own perspective. "Many of my students balance work and studies, bringing valuable insights that make our discussions even more rewarding," she shared.

She also attributes this recognition to the collaborative relationships she has built with faculty members, including Lecturer Xin Tao, Principal Lecturer Jonathan Resop and Director of the Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Programs Ruibo Han. "I do my best to support my course instructors, and in turn, they have been incredibly flexible and encouraging, especially when research and conferences overlap with teaching duties," Jin said. "That teamwork has been essential in my growth as both a researcher and an educator."

For other graduate students juggling academics and assistantship duties, Jin offers this advice: efficiency and balance are key. "Focusing on core concepts rather than trying to cover every detail helps students learn more effectively while keeping the workload manageable," she explained. 

Setting clear boundaries for grading, office hours and class preparation ensures that teaching responsibilities don’t overshadow research commitments. She also emphasizes the importance of strong mentorship, expressing deep gratitude for her advisor, Professor Giovanni Baiocchi. "During a particularly overwhelming time last year, his support and flexibility helped me manage my workload and regain confidence in balancing my responsibilities."

Baiocchi also praised Jin’s achievement: "This is a fantastic achievement and a well-deserved recognition of Shuyu's dedication, hard work and contributions to the department and the university."

Image: Shuyu Jin, courtesy of Jin

Published on Tue, 02/25/2025 - 12:08