Involvement Awards

: This 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 that develop their future pursuits beyond UF. Nominations should:

• Demonstrate how the organization welcomes new members and connects them to current members
• Offer opportunities for members to learn about, utilize, and engage with university resources and services
• Enable members to develop relevant skills and connections for their pursuits after graduation
Seek and incorporates member feedback into the organization’s operations

: This award recognizes one specific event, put on by a student organization that created purposeful engagement that fosters meaningful relationships, personal growth, and a lifelong curiosity Nominations should:

• Demonstrate how building relationships and personal growth are prioritized during the event
• Evaluate how members are engaged and explains the level of impact on attendees and the community.
• Exemplify continued attention and effort put forth by the organization to bring awareness to lifelong curiosity.

This award recognizes a student organization that has committed itself to service to the University, surrounding Gainesville community, or beyond. The student organization identified a need in a community and acted. Nominations should:

• Share how the organization’s mission and values related to an identified need within a community
• Describe the education or training of members related to the need and community
• Provide evidence of the positive change it made on members, and the community through education, outreach, initiative or resource(s) and how the organization evaluates the impact/results
• Demonstrate how the organization imparts the importance of community engagement for organizational members in the identified need/community

This award recognizes an event, put on by a student organization that has contributed to the University, surrounding Gainesville community, or beyond. The event was created by the organization with the mission of serving others. The student organization identified a need in a community and has acted in a specific and unique way through an event, program or initiative 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

This award recognizes a student organization who brought together other student organizations, university departments, and/or other campus partners through a program, service or event. 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 the organization or population they serve
• Share the benefits to the University of Florida community

This award recognizes a student organization that has brought a brand new and innovative program or initiative to the University of Florida campus or Gainesville community. The innovative event, program or initiative has a record of its impact that highlights the mission statement of UF’s Division of Student Life: The University of Florida Division of Student Life champions meaningful experiences that foster community connection, career design and lifelong wellbeing. Nominations should:

• Identify and explain a connection to the Division of Student Life mission statement
• List the new audience(s) and explains the purpose, goals and/or objectives of the event
• Demonstrate the event or a similar event has not been done in the last four years
• Provide evidence of impact or success

This award recognizes a student organization that has elevated or repeated an existing program, initiative, or tradition to the University of Florida campus or Gainesville community in an innovative and reimagined way. This student organization has a record of impact the program, initiative, or tradition has and highlights the Division of Student Life mission statement: The University of Florida Division of Student Life champions meaningful experiences that foster community connection, career design and lifelong wellbeing. Nominations should:

• The nominated event MUST be a recurring event for this organization
• Identify and explains a connection to the mission of the Division of Student Life
• Describe in detail the event and how the event addresses updated and/or ever-changing audiences, and/or needs of campus
• Identify why this event exists every year and the innovative ways it is elevated
• Provide evidence of impact or success

This award recognizes a student organization demonstrating excellence in professional development through workshops, conferences, training, or curriculum provided to the organization's members. Nominations should:

• Describe the workshop, conference, training, or curriculum designed for skill enhancement of members in detail
• Explain how the workshop, conference, training, or curriculum benefitted the mission and members of the organization with specific examples related to content and activities
• Evaluate the quality of the program, initiative, or event

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