Involvement Awards

The Adaptability Award recognizes a student organization that demonstrated adaptability and flexibility in their activities and programs due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, finding ways to keep students active and engaged wherever they are. Nominations should:

• Provide examples of adaptation to the challenges of COVID-19
• Demonstrate the efforts to remain visible and engaging throughout the year
• Detail the various ways the organization connected with members

The Advisor of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of a student organization advisor to a student organization. The Involvement Team will personally invite the student organization’s advisor if they are selected to receive the award. The student organization will also be notified prior to the award ceremony. Nominations should:

• Discuss impact on the organization
• Demonstrate commitment to the development of the organization and its members
• Be accessible to members and has a presence in organization meetings and events

Please note: The nominee must serve as an advisor for the organization for at least two years continuously

The Campus Collaborator Award recognizes a student organization who brought together other student organizations, university departments, or other campus partners through their strong sense and relationship building. Nominations should:

• Demonstrate successful collaborative efforts with other organizations, university departments, or other campus partners
• Explain the purpose of the collaboration
• Offer results of collaboration on organization or population they serve
• Share the benefits to the University of Florida community

The GatorConnect Award recognizes a student organization that fosters community within the organization by building connections among members, connecting members to University resources, and prepares members to create connections for their future pursuits beyond UF. Nominations should:

• Share how the organization welcomes new members and connects them to current members
• Discuss opportunities for members to learn, utilize, and engage with University resources and services
• Demonstrate how members develop skills and connections for their pursuits after graduation
• Evaluate members experiences and incorporate feedback into organization operations

The Greater Good Award recognizes a student organization with significant contributions to the university, community, or beyond. This student organization has committed itself and its members to serving others through programs, services, or resources. The student organization identified a need in a community and has taken action. Nominations should:

• Share how the organization addressed the identified need through a program, service, or resource
• Describe the education or training of members related to the need and community
• Provide evidence of program, service, or resource impact/results
• Evaluate the quality of the lasting effects of the program, service, or resource

The Impact Award recognizes a student organization that through the use of a performance, event, vigil, or forum has brought awareness to a culture or political or social movement. Nominations should:

• Describe the performance, event, vigil, or forum designed for awareness, action, or healing
• Evaluate how the performance, event, vigil, or forum enlightened and impacted attendees
• Demonstrate continued attention and effort put forth by the organization to bring awareness to the identified culture or movement

The Inclusive Excellence Award recognizes a student organization that has demonstrated a sustained passion for the advancement of diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. Nominations should:

• Demonstrate commitment to the advancement diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice
• Detail how inclusivity was pursued within their student organization
• Raise campus and/or community awareness of diversity issues
• Promote opportunities for open, honest dialogue centered on issues of diversity and inclusion
• Host campus programs that provide education and raise awareness on topics related to diversity

The Innovative Event Award recognizes a student organization that has brought an innovative program or initiative to campus or the community and has a record of the positive impact of the event. Nominations should:

• Identify why the need for innovative event exists
• Provide evidence of impact or success
• Be a new program that has never been held before on the University of Florida campus or in the Gainesville community, or a program that has been improved from an already existing event
• Address new audiences or objectives

The Member of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding contribution of a student leader who is not currently serving, nor has previously served, as an officer of the organization. Nominations should:

• Embodies the purpose of the organization
• Demonstrate the contribution to the organization
• Demonstrate a desire to develop skills and knowledge that would further the organization
• Display initiative in addressing the needs of the organization

The New Student Organization of the Year Award recognizes a student organization that has been a registered student organization for fewer than three years and has made a noticeable positive impact on campus or in the community. Nominations should:

• Address why there was a need for this organization
• Describe the unique mission and purpose that addresses an unmet need at the University of Florida
• Demonstrate strong visibility in the campus community with opportunities provided to students
• Explain how the organization contributes to the university's mission

The Officer of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding contribution of a student leader who is currently serving on the executive board of a student organization. Nominations should:

• Demonstrate contributions to the organization
• Provide examples of the ability to motivate others
• Demonstrate innovation and/or changes made as an executive board member
• Discuss the impact on the membership
• Commitment to being a role model

The Professional Development Award recognizes a student organization demonstrating excellence in professional development through workshops, conferences, trainings, or curriculum provided to the members of the organization. Nominations should:

• Describe how the workshop, conference, training, or curriculum benefited the mission and members of the organization
• Demonstrate commitment to the advancement diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice
• Evaluate the quality of program

The Student Organizations of the Year Award recognizes a student organization that exemplifies the six themes of involvement (Scholarship & Academics, Wellness, Leadership Development, Civic Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion, and Community Building) and has impacted their members and the University of Florida community through intentional development and engagement. Nominations should:

• Demonstrate successful recruitment and retention of organization members
• Describe the positive impact on the campus community
• Provide examples of organization exemplifying the six themes of involvement
• Detail leadership opportunities provided through membership
• Articulate contributions to furthering the mission of the University of Florida

William G. Cross (1925-2017) had a distinguished career in higher education. In 1960, he arrived at the University of Florida to serve as the Assistant Dean of Men. A few years later, he became the Director of Student Activities and Associate Director of the J. Wayne Reitz Student Union, until he retired in 1988. Bill was active in many organizations sharing his leadership skills within Florida Blue Key, Y.M.C.A., Rotary Club, Salvation Army and the Boys Club to name a few. Survived by his daughter Lisa Cross, son Jeff Cross (Gladys), and other important family, friends, and community, Bill’s legacy continues to live on.

 

In honor of William G Cross, Student Activities and Involvement looks to recognize ONE (1) UF student that has demonstrated outstanding leadership through involvement and co-curricular activities at the University of Florida. The recipient will receive a $1000 award to support their University of Florida student experience.

Nominations should:

• Demonstrates leadership to the University of Florida through outstanding performance as a student organization officer and/or leader.
• Meet requirements to be an eligible student organization officer. See UF Regulation 4.003 for details.
• Be in good standing with the University of Florida. (The University of Florida considers students to be in academic good standing if they are eligible to continue or to re-enroll at the university, and free of conduct probation.)
• Minimum 2.5 overall GPA.
• Highlight on resume only accomplishments during their time attending the University of Florida.
• Submit essay addressing how your on-campus involvement has prepared you to Engage, Transform, and Thrive to achieve success post-graduation.
• 30-minute Interview – Should you be selected as a Top 5 candidate for the award.

APPLY HERE