Student Leader Awards

The Professional Development Experience of the Year Award is awarded to a registered student organization that hosted an event or activity that either contributed to the professional development of UHCL students in their organization or the greater UHCL community. To qualify for this award, the registered student organization must have hosted the event or activity on their own and be able to explain how it was planned, marketed, and executed by the student organization. Student organizations interested in recommending an event or activity for this particular award must explain how this event not only met their registered student organizations goals and mission, but also followed all University policies and procedures while going through the planning process.

The Community Service Event of the Year is awarded to the registered student organization who hosted an event or activity that captured the attention of the University and surrounding community through acts of service. To qualify for this award, the registered student organization must have hosted the event or activity on their own and be able to explain how it was planned, marketed, and executed by the student organization. Student organizations interested in recommending an event or activity for this particular award must explain how this event or activity not only met their registered student organizations goals and mission, but also followed all University policies and procedures while going through the planning process.

The Social Awareness Event of the Year Award is awarded to a registered student organization that hosted an event or activity, which educated the UHCL community on pressing societal issues at the local, national or international level. To qualify for this award, the registered student organization must have hosted the event or activity on their own and be able to explain how it was planned, marketed, and executed by the student organization. Those interested in recommending an event for this particular award must explain how this event not only met their registered student organizations goals and mission, but also followed all University policies and procedures while completing the planning process.

The Cultural Event of the Year is awarded to the registered student organization who hosted an event or activity that provided the UHCL community with opportunities to learn about different cultures', values, beliefs, foods, languages, practices, and/or history. To qualify for this award, the registered student organization must have hosted the event or activity on their own and be able to explain how it was planned, marketed, and executed by the student organization. Student organizations interested in recommending an event or. activity for this particular award must explain how this event not only met their registered student organizations goals and mission, but also followed all University policies and procedures while going through the planning process.

The Emerging Leader of the Year is a student who is highly active in either student organizations, leadership programs, orientation, SGA, etc. The student leader must be an active student for no more than one semester after enrolling at UHCL for the current recommendation period. This student needs to have demonstrated a willingness and eagerness to become more involved at UHCL and takes on leadership roles.

The Innovation Award is given to the registered student organization that has strived to develop innovative events and activities in light of the global pandemic. To qualify for this award, organizations should have showcased adaptability while developing new and creative ways to positively impact UHCL students for the betterment of their student experience. 

The Teamwork in Leadership Award is awarded to a registered student organization that exemplifies the unique combination of teamwork, commitment, synergy and communication. Student Organizations in this category must be able to give examples of specific goals that were set and accomplished by the group this year, as well as explain how the group was able to work together as a team to reach their goal.

The Most Improved Student Organization Award goes to a registered student organization who experienced notable growth through recruiting efforts, programming efforts, and leadership in the past year. Organizations recommended in this category must be able to explain how the organization was nearly dormant or inactive in the previous year. The recommended organization must be able to list a series of activities and events that demonstrates their increased level of activity throughout the year that shows constant visibility on campus.

The Best New Organization Award is awarded to a registered student organization that started within the 2020-2021 Registration Season. This award goes to an organization that made themselves know to students, participated in campus-wide events and activities, and utilized the Get Involved platform to its fullest capability. To be considered, an organization must have actively marketed itself and recruited new members; hosted experiences that addressed the group’s mission in a meaningful way; and have a plan in place to continue building for the future.

The Student Organization of the Year Award recognizes the registered student organization that has successfully demonstrated a high level of visibility, engagement, group cohesion, and leadership at UHCL. Any student organization who is recommended in this category must be able to explain how they practiced teamwork in various projects, events, organization meetings and trainings, as well as demonstrated a clear, organized and transparent planning process to all members.

Additionally, student organizations receiving recommendations in this category must exemplify the following: well-defined missions and goals that were addressed in all of the projects and events that the organization put on throughout the year; describe the quality of all programming and recruiting efforts; describe the contribution that the organization made to the UHCL community; speak to the level of participation in large scale University events such as Org Expo, Leadership Workshops, Orientation Resource Fairs, and Diversity Programs; speak to the level of energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to excellence; and have an overall high attendance record at the weekly SGA meetings. 

The Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award is awarded to a faculty or staff advisor who has went above and beyond as the Advisor for a registered student organization. This person attended organization meetings and events; was available and had a great working relationship with officers and members of the organization; was supportive and committed to the organization’s goals; provided leadership and mentorship to the student organizations officers and members; supported students through challenging times; and was an overall effective advisor.

The Distinguished Leadership Award is awarded to a student who models exemplary leadership skills. This person should be active in a wide range of activities with the purpose of improving the quality of life for students at UHCL. A student leader recommended in this category should display the ability to be a team player; built a guiding vision and influenced others to embrace the vision; set goals and followed them through to fruition; and mentored future leaders.

The Peers' Choice Organization of the Year is awarded to the registered student organization that student leaders choose through the recommendation and voting process.  

The Peers' Choice Student Leader of the Year is awarded to the student leader that other student leaders choose through the recommendation and voting process.