Leadership Awards
The Office of Student Leadership and Engagement recognizes student leaders annually for their contributions to the university. The Leadership Awards highlight the accomplishments of student leaders within three categories: Individual Awards, Organization Awards, and Student Employment Awards.
Students, student organizations, faculty, staff, and community leaders connected with Shenandoah may submit nominations. Award descriptions and the nomination forms are available below.
Questions? Contact Brooke Moses, Assistant Director of Student Leadership, at brooke.moses@su.edu.
Leadership Award Descriptions
Community Builder Award
Awarded to a faculty or staff member who goes above and beyond their job description for the betterment of students, student organizations, and the Shenandoah University community.
Requirements:
- Nominating person(s) should submit a brief essay (no more than 200 words) describing how the faculty or staff member has gone above and beyond their job description and how that has led to the betterment of students, organization, and the SU community.
- No self-nomination.
Emerging Leader of the Year
Awarded to a student who shows great promise in areas of academics and leadership in and out of the classroom.
Requirements:
- Awarded to a first-year, sophomore, or graduate student in the first part of their program.
- Nominating person(s) should submit a brief essay (no more than 200 words) describing the student’s involvement/leadership in organizations, teams, and in the classroom.
- No self-nomination.
Hornet Spirit Award
Awarded to a student who best exemplifies what it means to be a Shenandoah Hornet and show school spirit every day. This individual excels both in and out of the classroom while bleeding red and blue.
Requirements:
- Nominating person(s) should submit a brief essay (no more than 200 words) indicating how the individual demonstrates school spirit every day. Must be able to demonstrate attendance at events in their own discipline and in others as well (ex:attendance to conservatory events if in athletics or vice versa).
- Self-nomination accepted.
Outstanding Student Leader of the Year
Awarded to a student who has excelled in areas of academics and leadership, has the ability to motivate and encourage others, and has made a significant impact on the Shenandoah University community.
Requirements:
- Awarded to a junior or senior, or a graduate student in the second part of their program.
- Nominating person(s) should submit a brief essay (no more than 200 words) describing the student’s role in organizations, teams, and in the classroom; student’s ability to motivate and encourage; student’s impact on the SU community.
- No self-nomination.
Diversity Program of the Year
Awarded to an organization that realizes no community can reach its fullest potential without celebrating and encouraging respect of diversity in its many forms. This program will have provided the Shenandoah University community with an educational, inspirational, and/or entertaining experience that focuses on diverse views, backgrounds, and awareness.
Requirements:
- Nominating person(s) should submit a brief essay (no more than 250 words) describing how the organization embraces, celebrates, and/or encourages diversity; how the program educates, inspires, and/or entertains; and how the program raises awareness of different backgrounds and cultures.
- Self-nomination accepted.
Most Innovative Program
Awarded to an organization that best understands the current needs of the Shenandoah University student body and positively advances the community through sponsoring the most creative and groundbreaking project or program.
Requirements:
- Nominated student or organization, respectively, should submit a brief essay (no more than 250 words) of their creative/groundbreaking project or program.
- Self-nomination accepted.
Student Organization of the Year – Undergraduate
Awarded to an undergraduate student organization, which through their activities, programs, and projects, has had a significant positive impact on Shenandoah University and beyond. This organization will have demonstrated the initiative to further advance the collegiate experience of Shenandoah University students beyond the classroom.
Requirements:
- Nominating person(s) should submit a brief essay (no more than 250 words) of activities, programs, and projects done by the organization that year.
- This award is based on the quality of events held, amount of community service performed, inclusiveness of programs and events, and participation in other campus events.
- Self-nomination accepted.
Student Organization of the Year – Graduate
Awarded to a graduate student organization, which through their activities, programs, and projects, has had a significant positive impact on Shenandoah University and beyond. This organization will have demonstrated the initiative to further advance the collegiate experience of Shenandoah University students beyond the classroom.
Requirements:
- Nominating person(s) should submit a brief essay (no more than 250 words) of activities, programs, and projects done by the organization that year.
- This award is based on the quality of events held, amount of community service performed, inclusiveness of programs and events, and participation in other campus events.
- Self-nomination accepted.
Empowerment Award
Awarded to a student employee who builds other students and empower them to be successful in their student employment positions.
Requirements:
- Awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student participating in student employment.
- Nominating person(s) should submit a brief essay (no more than 200 words) describing the student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities related to their employment at SU.
- No self-nomination.
Responsibility Award
Awarded to a student employee who has been entrusted with a great level of responsibility and successfully met the standards set for the student employment position.
Requirements:
- Awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student participating in student employment.
- Nominating person(s) should submit a brief essay (no more than 200 words) describing the student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities related to their employment at SU.
- No self-nomination.
Collaboration Award
Awarded to a student employee who has excelled in working effectively with other students and/or departments within their student employment position.
Requirements:
- Awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student participating in student employment.
- Nominating person(s) should submit a brief essay (no more than 200 words) describing the student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities related to their employment at SU.
- No self-nomination.
Growth Award
Awarded to a student employee who has demonstrated growth and developed new skills and abilities in their student employment position.
Requirements:
- Awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student participating in student employment.
- Nominating person(s) should submit a brief essay (no more than 200 words) describing the student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities related to their employment at SU.
- No self-nomination.
Inclusion Award
Awarded to a student employee who has purposefully made programs, initiatives, or departments more inclusive for all students.
Requirements:
- Awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student participating in student employment.
- Nominating person(s) should submit a brief essay (no more than 200 words) describing the student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities related to their employment at SU.
- No self-nomination.
Leadership Award Nomination Forms
Individual Awards Nomination Form