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The Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union
The University of Mississippi

Leadership & Engagement Awards

Nominations are open for the 2023-2024 Awards Season!

The Center for Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement and the Ole Miss Student Union are excited to recognize the hard work of the phenomenal student organizations and leaders here at The University of Mississippi. We look forward to reviewing your nominations! Everyone is invited to nominate individuals and organizations deserving of recognition. Nominations will be due via The Forum by Friday, April 5th at 5 p.m.  Nominations will be reviewed and scored by a committee of staff members and student organization advisors.

Questions about the 2023-2024 Leadership & Engagement Awards can be directed to Dugan Walker, The Assistant Director of Student Organization Management, at dugan@olemiss.edu.

Nomination Form

Nomination Category Descriptions

  1. Emerging Leader: The Emerging Leader Award will be presented to a freshman, sophomore, or transfer student who has demonstrated knowledge, enthusiasm, and motivation for campus and community involvement and leadership at The University of Mississippi.
  2. Student Organization of the Year: The Student Organization of the Year Award recognizes the student organization that has made exceptional contributions to its members and the greater UM and Oxford community.
    A student organization from each of the categories of student organizations may be recognized. This includes academic, FSL, creative, cultural/multicultural, graduate, health and wellness, honors society, religious, service/philanthropic, special interest, university sponsored, sports clubs, or governance.
  3. New Student Organization of the Year: The New Student Organization of the Year Award recognizes the new student organization that has made exceptional contributions to its members and the greater University of Mississippi community in its first year of registration. Must be an organization that was founded between 2021-2023.
  4. Student Organization Advisor of the Year: The Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award will be presented to the faculty/staff advisor who has provided continuous support for their respective student organization.
  5. Student Organization Event of the Year: The Student Organization Event of the Year will recognize outstanding events hosted and sponsored by student organizations that focus on member development, education, service, philanthropy or general entertainment. There will be consideration given to events from all of the above categories.
  6. Student Organization Member of the Year: The Student Organization Member of the Year Award will be presented to a student member (other than the organization’s president or officer) who shows exceptional commitment to academic achievement, community service, campus involvement, and leadership.
  7. Student Organization Officer of the Year: The Student Organization Officer of the Year Award will be presented to a student organization leader (other than the organization’s president) who shows exceptional commitment to academic achievement, community service, campus involvement, and leadership.
  8. Student Organization President of the Year: The Student Organization President of the Year Award will be presented to a student organization president who has shown exceptional commitment to academic achievement, community service, campus involvement, and leadership.
  9. Live The Creed-Student: The Live the Creed Award is presented to up to two faculty, staff, or community members as well as, up to five UM Students who have shown commitment and support for the University of Mississippi Creed. Nominees should be dedicated to the University of Mississippi’s commitment to being a community of learning dedicated to nurturing excellence in intellectual inquiry and personal character in an open and diverse environment.
  10. Live The Creed-Staff/Faculty: The Live the Creed Award is presented to up to two faculty, staff, or community member as well as, up to five UM Students who have shown commitment and support for the University of Mississippi Creed. Nominees should be dedicated to the University of Mississippi’s commitment to being a community of learning dedicated to nurturing excellence in intellectual inquiry and personal character in an open and diverse environment.
  11. Diversity Innovator Award – Student: The Diversity Innovator Student Award seeks to honor up to 4 individual undergraduate & graduate student(s) for their commitment to the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the University of Mississippi and in their respective communities. The award selection committee invites nominations that honor the individual’s commitment to scholarly, community, and organizational DEI efforts. The Ole Miss Student Union and the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement invite nominations for exceptional undergraduate & graduate students for the Diversity Innovator Student Award. Applications will be accepted in accordance with the annual timeline for the Ole Miss Student Union Leadership & Engagement Awards.
  12. Unsung Hero Award – Staff/Faculty: The Unsung Hero Award is presented to up to three faculty, staff, or community members who have shown commitment and support for the University of Mississippi Registered Student Organizations and Involvement Community. Nominees should be dedicated to the University of Mississippi’s commitment to students’ co-curricular and leadership development.
    While nominees can serve as advisors, these individuals should be nominated for their contribution to Registered Student Organizations and the culture of involvement as a whole on campus, not specific student organizations. They provide invaluable external support.