Student Leader Awards
Save the Date: 2024 Hawk Excellence Awards
The Hawk Excellence Awards recognize outstanding student leaders, registered student organizations, faculty/staff advisors, and event accomplishments each year. We welcome the participation and support of members of the UHCL community.
Organization Awards
Do you think your organization can earn one of the following awards? Work with your team to submit a nomination for Spring 2024!
Community Service Event of the Year
The Community Service Event of the Year award goes to an organization who made an impact on campus or in the local community through outreach programs or by volunteering at events geared towards education and civic engagement.
Student organizations receiving nominations in this category must share the following:
- Program/Event Name
- Date
- Location
- Target Audience and Total Attendance
- Program/Event Goals
- Program Description
- Explain how this event was successful
- Please describe how this event impacted campus or the local community
- Please describe how this event educated the campus community regarding community or civic engagement
Cultural Event of the Year
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.
Student organizations receiving nominations in this category must share the following:
- Program/Event Name
- Date
- Location
- Target Audience and Total Attendance
- Program/Event Goals
- Program Description
- Explain how this event was successful
- Please describe how the event allowed the UHCL community to learn about different cultures', values, beliefs, foods, languages, practices, and/or history.
Collaboration Award
The Collaboration Award recognizes an organization that exemplifies teamwork, commitment, synergy and communication by connecting with other Registered Student Organizations or campus departments to improve the student experience at UHCL.
Student organizations receiving nominations in this category must exemplify the following:
- Hosted at least 1 collaborative event
- How the event showcased cohesion amongst the collaborators
- How their event positively impacted the student experience
Outstanding RSO Event of the Year
The Outstanding RSO Event recognizes the Student organization that coordinates a well-wrought event which bolsters student engagement through recruitment and retention while catering to creative interests of all UHCL students.
Student organizations receiving nominations in this category must exemplify the following:
- Program/Event Name
- Date
- Location
- Target Audience and Total Attendance
- Program/Event Goals
- Program Description
- Explain how this event was successful
- Please describe how this event impacted the UHCL community
Best New Organization of the Year
The Best New Organization Award is awarded to a registered student organization that began or rebooted in the past two years. This award goes to an organization that has made themselves known to students, participated in campus-wide events and activities, and utilized the GetInvolved platform to its fullest capability.
Student organizations receiving nominations in this category must exemplify the following:
- An organization must have actively marketed itself and recruited new members
- Hosted experiences that addressed the group’s mission in a meaningful way
- Have a plan in place to continue building for the future
Organization of the Year
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.
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
- High-quality events and recruiting efforts
- Positive contribution to the UHCL community
- A commitment to excellence
- High level of participation in large-scale University events such as Student Involvement Expo, Leadership Workshops, Student Government, and Diversity Programs
Peers' Choice Organization of the Year
The Peers' Choice Organization of the Year is awarded to the registered student organization that student leaders choose through the recommendation and voting process. Student organization leaders will vote for the winner April 1-5.
Individual Awards
Do you know an exceptional student leader or organization advisor? Recommend them or yourself!
Emerging Leader of the Year
The Emerging Leader of the Year is a new student at UHCL who is highly active in either
student organizations, leadership programs, orientation, Student Government, or other
on-campus involvement experiences.
The student needs to have demonstrated a willingness and eagerness to become more
involved at UHCL by serving in leadership roles. This student leader should have joined
UHCL during either the Fall 2023 or Spring 2024 semesters.
A student leader nominated in this category should display the following:
- Joined UHCL during either the Fall 2023 or Spring 2024 semester
- Have been involved in student organizations/activities during their time at UHCL
- How they have impacted the UHCL community
Distinguished Leadership Award
The Distinguished Leader 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 nominated in this category should display the following:
- An ability to be a team player
- A willingness to build a guiding vision and influence others to embrace the vision
- How they have set goals and followed them through to fruition
- How they have mentored future leaders
Advisor of the Year
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.