Student Activities and Leadership Development Awards

Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK students receiving student activities awards

Annual awards

Student Activities and Leadership Development (SALD) annually recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of the Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK community. The awards listed below are presented each spring to students, student groups, and advisors who have demonstrated a significant commitment to improving our university. 

Award criteria

Candidates for all awards must meet the following criteria: 

  • Candidates must be in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.5 at the time of consideration, unless the award dictates differently
  • Candidates must not have been on any form of academic probation or have been found responsible for being in violation of any University policy during the past academic year
  • Student organizations must be registered and in good standing with their sponsoring office or department

Award categories

Encore Award

The Encore Award is presented to a Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK student organization for planning and implementing a program, event, or project that demonstrated leadership, creativity, engagement, and relevance for college students and enriched campus life.

2024 recipient: Student Athlete Advisory Committee (Unified Basketball Game)

Sportsmanship Award

The Sportsmanship Award recognizes a student who exemplifies the true spirit of sportsmanship by promoting fairness, integrity, and respect of others through ongoing participation in recreational or intercollegiate athletics.

2024 recipients: Durham Welch and Michael Cromer

Durham Welch and Michael Cromer
Durham Welch and Michael Cromer

Outstanding Student Organization Award

The Outstanding Student Organization Award is presented to a student organization that has made significant advancements and displayed exceptional and consistent leadership over the course of the academic year.

2024 recipient: The Oracle

Outstanding Advisor Award

The Outstanding Advisor Award is presented to a faculty or staff advisor of a student organization recognized by SALD that has demonstrated a deep commitment to student development and has made significant contributions to the organization.

2024 recipient: Mike Reynolds (Fulcrum Journal)

Mike Reynolds winning Outstanding Advisor award
Mike Reynolds

Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award recognizes a first- or second-year student who has actively engaged in leadership or service activities and has established themselves in a way that motivates their peers and positively impacts the Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK community.

2024 recipient: Hanan Abdi

Rising Star Award winner Hanan Abdi
Hanan Abdi

Outstanding Student Leader Award

The Outstanding Student Leader Award is presented to up to four students who have shown themselves to be exemplary leaders at Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK.  

2024 recipients: Abbie Sundich, Annika McClintock, Elisa Lopez, Arielle Newfield

Winners of the Outstanding Student Leader prize
Clockwise from top left: Annika McClintock, Arielle Newfield, Abbie Sundich, Elisa Lopez
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Elisa Lopez '26

One of the biggest benefits of attending Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK is the hands-on career development and career mentorship you receive from your accomplished and experienced professors right from day one.

Elisa Lopez '26, business administration; of Chicago, IL

Outstanding President Award

The Outstanding President Award is presented to the president of a student organization recognized by SALD whose dedication to the organization and its members resulted in a significantly successful year for the organization.

2024 recipient: Josh Sedarski (Society of Physics Students)

Josh Sedarski
Josh Sedarski

Legacy Award

The Legacy Award recognizes a graduating senior (December or May) who has made outstanding contributions to campus life throughout the course of their undergraduate college career.

2024 recipient: Taylor Lander

Taylor Lander, winner of Legacy Award
Taylor Lander

Cornerstone Awards

The Cornerstone Awards are presented to a Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK undergraduate student, University Office, and University faculty or staff member that have significantly supported the work of Student Activities & Leadership Development throughout the academic year. 

2024 staff recipient: Crystal Camacho
2024 department recipient: Alumni Relations
2024 student recipients: Maddie Swanson, Laina Hooper

 

Crystal Camacho, Laina Hooper
Crystal Camacho, Laina Hooper
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Crystal Camacho '23

Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK prepared me for my career after graduation by giving me so many opportunities to take on more responsibilities as part of organizations across campus and be a student leader.

Crystal Camacho '23; program assistant for the Center for Gender + Sexualities at Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK in Saint Paul, MN

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