Student Leadership

Overview
The Division of Student Affairs promotes the development of student leadership through a variety of initiatives including leadership retreats and other leadership trainings, Q&A luncheon forums, club sponsors & presidents appreciation luncheon, the Outstanding Student Leadership Award, the Emerging Leader Award, the Expedition program, club and organization officer training programs, lectures, and other resources.

Annual Student Leadership Awards Banquet
The Division of Student Affairs and the Office of the Dean of Students sponsor the annual Student Leadership Awards Banquet honoring student leaders from clubs and organizations, Housing and Residence Life, Multicultural Affairs, Student Government Association, Honor Court, Greek Life, the C. Bascom Slemp Student Center, Student Activities, Intramurals and Outdoor Recreation, and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.

Each student and Greek organization must submit a Student Leadership Awards Packet (right) for consideration of individual and organizational awards. Additionally, organizations wishing to nominate students for any of the annual awards listed below must submit individual nomination forms as part of their Student Leadership Awards Packet. Completed Packets must be submitted by 5 pm on Wednesday, March 18 , to either the Slemp Student Center Check Desk (3rd floor) or the Divison of Student Affairs (Cantrell Hall). [packet link]


Annual Leadership Awards
The following awards are presented annually to campus leaders at the Student Leadership Awards Banquet for their efforts and contributions during the current academic year.

Organizations submitting a Student Leadership Awards Packet should include nomination forms for these awards in their completed Student Leadership Awards Packet. Campus community members submitting nomination forms should return them by 5 pm on Wednesday, March 18, to either the Slemp Student Center Check Desk (3rd floor) or the Divison of Student Affairs (Cantrell Hall).

Advisor of the Year Award   [nomination form]
In an effort to recognize outstanding efforts on the part of UVa-Wise organizational advisors, this award is presented annually.  All nominees must currently serve (or have served during the current academic year) as an advisor to a recognized UVa-Wise club or organization.  The recipient must have demonstrated service to UVa-Wise students through their exceptional involvement with a club or organization during the current academic year. Recent award recipients include Chris Davis & Mike McGill (08), Jason Lewkowicz (’07) and Peter Yun ('06).

Commitment to Diversity Award   [nomination form]
This award was established in 2005 to recognize a faculty, staff, student, alumnus, or community member who has worked to promote the diversity of and the acceptance of ideas and individuals within the campus community through demonstrated exceptional service to UVa-Wise in the areas of diversity and multiculturalism in the course of advocacy, leadership, mentorship, educational initiatives and/or programming. Past recipients have been Lauren Cary (08), Emahunn Campbell (’07), Matt Trgovac ('06) and Narda Porter ('05).

Emerging Leader Award   [nomination form]
This award recognizes a successful first-year deserving student who demonstrates the qualities and personal attributes reflective of a promising student leader through involvements in the life of the campus community. Past recipients of the award, first presented in 2005, include Leah Arthur (08), Steven Hensley (’07), Brittany Barrett ('06) and Simonetta Simmons ('05). 

Outstanding Student Leader Award   [nomination form]
The UVa-Wise Outstanding Leader Award was established in the spring of 1997 and is awarded annually to a student who has excelled in the area of student leadership during the past academic school year. Nominees should have demonstrated outstanding leadership by: serving as a positive role model; been active in at least one club or organization; been an advocate for the student body; and practiced ethical behavior, honoring commitment and displaying responsibility. Last year's receipient was Mark Moss.

Unsung Hero Award   [nomination form]
This award recognizes those individuals who have exhibited the highest standards of involvement and who have made positive ‘behind-the-scenes’ and vitally important contributions to the UVa-Wise student life program.  Nominees must be current students, in good standing, who are members of an organization in a non-executive board role.

Two Greek awards are also presented annually during the Student Leadership Banquet. Both have separate nomination forms that may be submitted with an organization's Student Leadership Awards Packet or by individual campus community members by 5 pm on Wednesday, March 18 , to either the Slemp Student Center Check Desk (3rd floor) or the Divison of Student Affairs (Cantrell Hall). These awards include:

Greek Man & Woman of the Year Award  [nomination form]
These awards recognize the extraordinary contributions of both a fraternity and sorority member who each promotes Greek life throughout campus, serves as a campus leader/role model to other students, and who has made strong and lasting impressions on his/her chapters and UVa-Wise Greek Life. Recent recipients: Joshua Vaughan (08) & Tori Smith-Bevins (08)

Greek New Member of the Year Award   [nomination form]
This award recognizes a new member of either the Interfraternity Council (IFC) or Panhellenic Council (PHC) who has made strong impressions on the Greek community through involvement and participation. Recent recipients: Lacy Boyle (08).

For more information about any of these leadership initiatives, please contact the Division of Student Affairs at (276) 328-0214 or the Slemp Student Center at (276) 376-1000.