Student Leadership Awards

The Student Leadership Awards Celebration will be held at 7 p.m. on April 25, 2024, at University Crossing. We will announce the nominees on our Instagram: @umlactivities.

  • Outstanding Community Service by a Group

    The Community Service by a Group Award honors a student organization for its ongoing or collective service to the community. The project may be a single event or a series of activities. This award is intended for those engaged in activities that offer direct service, as opposed to fundraising or lobbying activities, to a community external to the University.

    Additional Criteria:

    • The project should be one that required the delivery of service directly to the ultimate beneficiary and/or development of a new service program/project designed to directly benefit an individual organization.
    • The project should have been initiated during the current academic year.
    • If an ongoing or repeat activity, the project should have been significantly advanced during the course of the current academic year.
    • The project should directly benefit an individual/group in the off campus community.
    • The student organization cannot have been found to be in violation of any University policy during the period under consideration.

    Limit nominations to 150 words.

    1. Nominee
    2. Describe the event, who participated, what impact the event had on the community and/or the participants.
    3. Discuss how the even encompasses the organization's mission and goals.
    4. Describe how the event demonstrates the organization's commitment to serving the community.

    Excellence in Cultural, Diversity, and Advocacy Programming

    Cultural diversity at UMass Lowell is rapidly increasing and becoming a more integral part of the student community. The Excellence in Culture, Diversity, and Advocacy Programming Award recognizes a student organization that helps create an inclusive campus community at UMass Lowell by displaying and promoting exceptional educational awareness of cultural diversity through innovative programming. The program can also promote social justice and active citizenship. The organization's efforts encourage meaningful dialogue and a call to action.

    Additional Criteria:

    • The programs and activities for which the organization is being credited with must have taken place during the current academic year.
    • The events / programs must have been open to all students.
    • The event / programs must have significantly enhanced social, recreational, educational and/or cultural life of students and the general UMass Lowell community.

    Limit nominations to 150 words.

    1. Nominee
    2. Describe the nominated organization's purpose as well as active membership.
    3. Discuss the organization's commitment to diversity education.
    4. Explain how the program offered encompasses the organization's missions and goals.
    5. Describe the short and long term impact of the programs on the UMass Lowell Community and/or specific target populations.

    Rising River Hawks Award

    The Rising River Hawks Award recognizes a student organization that has demonstrated the greatest amount of growth and promise towards improving the quality of life at UMass Lowell through its activities. Its effort have led to notable campus visibility, increased membership and dynamic programming.

    Additional Criteria:

    • The Student organization must be properly registered with the Office of Student Activities and Leadership for the current academic year.
    • The programs and activities for which the organization is being credited must have taken place during the current academic year.
    • The student organization cannot have been found to be in violation of any University policy during the period under consideration. 

    Limit nominations to 150 words.

    1. Nominee
    2. Describe the nominated organization's commitment to responding to the needs of students and the needs of the UMass Lowell community as a whole.
    3. Detail any events, programs, or services the organization has sponsored or co-sponsored, which have improved the quality of life (educational, social, recreational, or cultural) at UMass Lowell.
    4. Comment on why you believe this organization has had an increased impact on campus this year.

    Innovative Program of the Year

    With the University's commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship, the Innovative Program Award honors strong student collaboration on a program that enhanced student learning and was planned with creative vision, solid execution, and a notable sense of purpose. This event significantly enhanced social, recreational, educational, or cultural life of students of the UMass Lowell community.

    Additional Criteria:

    • The event / program must have occurred during the current academic year.
    • The event / program must have been open to all students.
    • The event / program must have significantly enhanced the social, recreational, educational, and/or cultural life of students and the general UMass Lowell community.
    • The organization must not have been found in violation of any University policies during the period under consideration.

    Limit nominations to 150 words.

    1. Nominee
    2. Describe the program you are nominating, stressing the sponsor and number of members, purpose, picture/example of advertising, intended audience, actual attendance, and budget. Describe the marketing efforts used for the event.
    3. Demonstrate the organization's programmatic impact on the UMass Lowell community.
    4. How was innovation displayed in this program?  

    Student Organization of the Year

    The Student Organization of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of an undergraduate and graduate student organization to further its purpose and to provide programs and opportunities that benefit the students and other members of the UMass Lowell Community.

    Additional Criteria:

    • The student organization must be properly registered with the Office of Student Activities and Leadership for the current academic year.
    • The programs and activities for which the organization is being credited must have taken place during the current academic year.
    • The student organization cannot have been found in violation of any University policy during the period under consideration.

    Limit nominations to 150 words.

    1. Nominee
    2. Describe how the nominated organization's programs initiatives support its mission.
    3. Demonstrate the organization's commitment to responding to the needs of student and the needs of the UMass Lowell community as a whole.
    4. Detail any events, programs or services the organization has sponsored or co-sponsored, which have improved the quality of life (educational, social, recreational, or cultural) at UMass Lowell.
    5. Comment on why you believe this organization has had an outstanding impact on campus this year.
    6. How does this organization reflect the mission and vision of UMass Lowell?

    Creative Media and Marketing by a Club/Organization

    The Creative Media and Marketing Award honors a student organization for its ongoing or collective design, implementation, and marketing. This award is intended for an organization that developed an innovative, engaging, and consistent marketing plan for a single event or a series of activities.

    Additional Criteria:

    • The marketing implementation should have been initiated during the current academic year.
    • This event or series should showcase a strong and consistent brand identity with a clear message that engages students.
    • The student organization cannot have been found to be in violation of any University policy during the period under consideration.

    Limit nominations to 150 words

    1. Nominee
    2. Describe the event or series marketing plan and implementation and what makes it innovative and engaging.
    3. Discuss how the group showcases their mission through their creative media and marketing strategies.
    4. Describe how the group engages others through their marketing and media presence.

    Outstanding Greek Organization of the Year

    An organization in good standing and recognized by the University that represents our Greek pillars (service, friendship, unity, and ideals). This organization has a strong foundation, committed members, and exemplifies good leadership. An Outstanding Greek Organization is loyal to their members, connected to their alumni, and serves the community.

    Excellence in Well-being Programming

    This group award honors a student organization that made outstanding contributions to the campus community by hosting a program that supports the principles of the Okanagan Charter or one or more of the 8 dimensions of wellness identified by the Office of Student Life & Well-being. 

    Additional Criteria

    • The program should be one that contributes to the well-being of the campus community by addressing one or more of the 8 dimensions of wellness.
    • The program should support the purpose of the Okanagan Charter
    • The program should have been initiated during the current academic year.
    • If an ongoing or repeat activity, the program should have been significantly advanced during the course of the 2023-2024 academic year.
    • The program should directly benefit an individual/group in the campus community.
    • The student organization hosting the program cannot have been found to be in violation of any University policy during the period under considerations.

    Limit nominations to 150 words.

    1. Nominee
    2. Describe the event, who participated, and what impact the event had on the community.
    3. Discuss how the event supported well-being on campus
  • Emerging Student Leader of the Year Award

    The Emerging Student Leader of the Year Award recognizes a student who is new to a leadership position within an organization, for outstanding accomplishments and contributions within the organization and the UMass Lowell community

    Additional Criteria

    • Must be a full time student.
    • Demonstration of outstanding contributions to the University community.
    • Nominees must not have been found in violation of any University policies during the current academic year.

    Limit nominations to 150 words

    1. Nominee
    2. List the nominee's co-curricular involvement here at UMass Lowell, including leadership positions and activities they have been involved in and/or responsible for.
    3. Describe the nominee's leadership philosophy and offer specific examples of how he or she has put their values into action.
    4. Discuss an obstacle the nominee has faced and how the nominee overcame it.
    5. What has the nominee done to showcase their leadership potential? Please provide a specific example.

    Student Leader of the Year

    The Student Leader of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding undergraduate and graduate student leader for notable contribution to the organization in which the nominee served, for accomplishments in support of the University's co-curricular program and for notable leadership characteristics and ideals. Nominated individuals should place high emphasis on academics, give unselfishly to others, and face personal adversity with spirit and class.

    Additional Criteria

    • Nominee must be a full time UMass Lowell student in good academic standing.
    • Nominee must have demonstrated a significant contribution to the University community through their leadership if, and/or involvement in, the initiative that have had University wide impact and is representative of the highest level of student leadership and involvement.
    • Nominee must demonstrate active involvement and hold a leadership position in at least one undergraduate or graduate student organization registered with the Office of Student Activities and Leadership for the current academic year.
    • Nominee must not have been found in violation of any University policies during the current academic year.

    Limit nominations to 150 words

    1. Nominee
    2. List of the nominee's co-curricular involvement at UMass Lowell
    3. Detail the nominee's leadership qualities. Provide specific examples of these qualities in action.
    4. Describe specific examples of the nominee demonstrating skills in problem solving, risk taking, and accomplishing goals.
    5. What impact has the nominee had at UMass Lowell
    6. Please provide any additional information that will be helpful to the Selection Committee.

    Excellence in Student Advocacy

    The Excellence in Student Advocacy recognizes as individual students for their efforts and impact in advancing social justice causes on campus or in the community.

    Additional Criteria

    • Nominee must be a full time UMass Lowell student in good academic standing.
    • Nominee must not have been found in violation of any University policies during the current academic year.

    Limit nomination to 150 words

    1. Nominee
    2. Explain the issue(s) addressed by this person.
    3. Describe the person's efforts and/or initiatives in addressing these issues.
    4. What impact has the student's efforts had? Please be specific.

    Student Organization Faculty Advisor of the Year

    The Student Organization Faculty advisor of the Year Award honors a full-time faculty advisor of an undergraduate or graduate student organization who has provided outstanding service and advisement to an organization. This person must show commitment to education and to challenging students to grow developmentally throughout the period of contact with the individuals or organization.

    Additional Criteria:

    • The student organization must have been properly registered with the Office of Student Activities and Leadership during current academic year.
    • The nominee must have demonstrated outstanding support for an advisement of a student organization in pursuit of its goals.
    • The nominee must be a full time employee of the University in good standing.
    • Staff members in Program Advisor roles cannot be selected to win this award.

    Limit nominations to 150 words

    1. Nominee
    2. Comment on the nominee's relationship with your organization, using concrete examples of service to your members and your organization beyond the normal expectations of an advisor.
    3. Describe ways in which the nominee has encouraged students' growth through their personal interactions with the group.
    4. How has this individual supported student learning in their role.

    Outstanding Greek Member of the Year

    An active member that contributes to the betterment of their organization and the Greek Community. They live their values and embody our Greek pillars (service, friendship, unity, and ideals). This person is actively engaged in their academics and campus involvements.

    Criteria:

    • Must be an active member in a Social Greek Organization associated with the Office of Student Activities and Leadership.

    Well-being Champion Award

    The Well-being Champion Award recognizes a student who has worked to integrate the principles of the Okanagan Charter in improving the well-being of our campus community and someone who exemplifies leadership and advocacy in health promotion and well-being. 

    Additional Criteria

    • Nominee must be a full time UMass Lowell student in good academic standing.
    • Nominee must have demonstrated a significant contribution to the well-being of the campus community.
    • Nominee must not have been found in violation of any University policies during the current academic year.

    Limit nominations to 150 words

    1. Nominee.
    2. Describe any leadership roles or programs the nominee has held that support health promotion and well-being.
    3. Discuss how the nominee has made an impact on the well-being of the community.
  • Club Sport of the Year

    The 2023-2024 Sport Club of the Year is given to the club that has had success in the areas of team cohesion, administration, fundraising, and policy implementation. We account for team performance, however focus on the group’s overall accomplishments and leadership development.

    Club Sport Office of the Year Award

    The 2023-2024 office of the year award is given to the club officer we recognize as leaders amongst their team. They provide guidance and support for their teammates while acting as liaisons with the professional staff. The club officers of the year are responsible, dedicated, and an inspiration to the program.

    Intramural Cup Champion

    The Intramural Cup was developed to encourage teams and individuals to participate in a variety of intramural programs throughout the academic year. Teams that maintain the same name throughout the year will accumulate points based on the tournaments and leagues they participate in. At the conclusion of each school year, awards will be given to the team that accumulates the highest point total.