Leadership Awards

Shenandoah University Leadership Academy Student Leader of the Year

This award is open to all graduate and undergraduate students.

Award to a student who has consistently excelled in areas of academics and leadership at Shenandoah University. This individual has exemplified the mission and values of the Shenandoah University Leadership Academy through their positions and responsibilities on and off campus. Their efforts have made significant contributions to the Shenandoah University and surrounding community furthering the institution’s mission. Nominees of this award will be reviewed and selected by members of the Shenandoah University Leadership Academy advisory board. The recipient of this award will receive $500 to be used toward furthering their educational goals.

Requirements: 

• Enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program
• Minimum of a 3.0 GPA 
• Nominating person(s) should submit a brief essay describing the student’s ability to be a reflective leader grounded in civility, ethical decision-making, and service. Specific examples and contributions should be outlined. 
• No self-nominations

Outstanding Graduate Student Leader

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 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.

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader

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.
• 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.

Champion of Diversity 

Awarded to a student who has shown exemplary academic achievement while actively fostering an inclusive environment. This student has made significant contributions to their community through service and advocacy, demonstrating exceptional leadership and a commitment to diversity within Shenandoah University.

Requirements: 

• Full-time student at Shenandoah University
• Nominating person(s) should submit a brief description (no more than 100 words) detailing their academic achievement, commitment to diversity, and leadership capabilities.
• Self-nomination accepted.

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.

Inclusion Advocate

Awarded to a first-year or transfer student who takes a proactive stance on inclusion and diversity while retaining the essence of leadership and community engagement. This student achieves academic success and actively champions diversity and inclusivity, serving as a role model for their peers. Their efforts inspire others to embrace and celebrate the richness of diverse perspectives, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.

Requirements: 

• Full-time student, first-year or transfer student at Shenandoah University.
• Nominating person(s) should submit a brief description (no more than 100 words) detailing their academic success, advocacy for inclusion and equity, and how they empower others to celebrate diverse perspectives.
• Self-nomination accepted.

Student Employee of the Year

This award recognizes an individual student who has served as a leader in their campus employment and made significant contributions to their work enhancing the overall experience at Shenandoah University. Nominees are selected based on reliability, quality of work, initiative, disposition, and contribution to the employer.

Requirements: 

• Full-time student at Shenandoah University
• Employed in a work-study or student employment hourly position
• Nominating person(s) should submit a brief essay (no more than 250 words) detailing work ethic, reliability, and contributions.
• No self-nomination accepted.

Impact Player

Awarded to a student who excels not only in Shenandoah Athletics but also as a positive force on campus. This student displays outstanding commitment to their sport while engaging in initiatives promoting equity and inclusion, inspiring their peers both on and off the field.

Requirements: 

• Full-time student at Shenandoah University.
• Nominating person(s) should submit a brief description (no more than 100 words) detailing their athletic achievements, commitment to their sport, and promotion of inclusion on and off the field.
• 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.

Breakthrough Student Organization

Awarded to an organization established within the last two academic years, between Fall 2023 and Spring 2025, that excels as a new organization by making an effort to establish a presence on campus, sponsoring or supporting initiatives that aligned with the organization’s mission, and/or contributed to the SU community by fulfilling a need.

Qualification to be considered:

• Efforts to brand the organization and establish a presence, including marketing or events and programs that align with the organization’s mission.
• Demonstration of campus community needs filled by the organization.

Community Impact Award

Awarded to an individual or 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. They have demonstrated a commitment to significantly improving the Shenandoah community by addressing challenges, fostering unity, and raising awareness of issues that impact students.

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.