UTEP Student Leadership Awards
The UTEP Student Leadership Awards are designed to celebrate and recognize the countless hours and contributions that student leaders make to the UTEP campus, El Paso community, and beyond. These awards are the highest forms of recognition that are awarded to outstanding individual student leaders, student organizations, and fraternity and sorority chapters at UTEP.
All currently registered students are eligible to be nominated or to apply for these awards. Recent Fall 2022 graduates are also eligible. For more information on the awards and the links to apply, please visit UTEP Student Leadership Awards Website.
The annual celebration is an evening of recognition for all award recipients and student organization leaders.
2023 UTEP Student Leadership Awards Ceremony - Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 5:30 pm in the Tomas Rivera Conference Center
Individual Leadership Awards
Each leadership award is an individual award. A student may apply for the award or may be nominated for the award by someone else. If you are nominating someone for one of the awards listed below, then you will respond to the prompted questions describing the person you are nominating.
How to Apply
Each award listed below has its own prompts for the application. We recommend preparing responses on a separate document, then copy/pasting them into the form. Be aware of the 250-word limit for each response.
Purpose
The Emerging Leader Award recognizes first-year and second-year students who have begun making noteworthy contributions to the University and/or community.
Eligibility
The Emerging Leader Award is earned by students classified as a freshman or sophomore with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. These recipients must also:
- have been engaged in one or more UTEP Edge Experiences.
You may nominate yourself, or someone else you believe is an emerging leader.
Award Prompts
- How do you/how does the nominee exemplify leadership? (250-word limit)
- Which student organization(s) are you/the nominee a member of? (250-word limit)
- Outline and discuss your/the nominee’s contributions to UTEP and/or the greater community. (250-word limit)
- Outline and discuss your/the nominee’s engagement experience(s) regarding UTEP Edge. (250-word limit)
- Optional: Upload one letter of recommendation in PDF format
Purpose
The Luxe Award recognizes graduate and doctoral students who have demonstrated excellence in academic achievement as well as campus and community engagement and have made a contribution to the UTEP community through their leadership.
Eligibility
The Luxe Award is earned by students classified as graduate or doctoral who:
- have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher,
- have maintained membership in an organization (on-campus, in the community, or otherwise)
- have held a leadership role in one or more organizations,
- and have been engaged in at least one UTEP Edge Experience while enrolled in their graduate/doctoral program at UTEP.
You may nominate yourself or someone else who meets the criteria who you believe should be considered for the Luxe Award.
Award Prompts
- Which student organization(s) are you/the nominee a member of? (250-word limit)
- How long have you/the nominee been a member of this/these student organizations?
- What is the leadership role you/the nominee held or at least one academic year?
- How do you/does the nominee exemplify leadership? (250-word limit)
- Outline and discuss your/the nominee’s meaningful contributions to the UTEP Community. (250-word limit)
- Outline and discuss your/the nominee’s meaningful contributions to your organization's community. (250-word limit)
- Outline and discuss your/the nominee’s engagement experience(s) regarding UTEP Edge. (250-word limit)
- Optional: Upload one letter of recommendation in PDF format
Purpose
The Resilient Leader Award recognizes student leaders who have experienced and overcome obstacles during their college career.
Eligibility
The Resilient Leader Award is earned by one student who overcame hardship while positively impacting others. This award is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
You may nominate yourself, or someone else you believe is a resilient leader.
Award Prompts
- How do you/does the nominee exemplify leadership? (250-word limit)
- Discuss your/the nominee’s most meaningful engagement experiences on campus. (250-word limit)
- Discuss the challenge(s) you/the nominee overcame to complete your/their degree. (250-word limit)
- Discuss an impact you/the nominee made on campus or in your community, despite your/the nominee’s challenges. (250-word limit)
- Optional: Upload one letter of recommendation in PDF format.
Leaders of Mines and Distinguished Leader Awards
Purpose
The Leaders of Mines Award is the University’s oldest student leadership recognition. The recipients will be students who have demonstrated significant and sustained leadership and have made contributions to UTEP and the greater community while maintaining evidence of quality academic achievement.
The Distinguished Leader Award recognizes student leaders who demonstrate outstanding excellence in academic achievement, campus, community engagement, and have made significant contributions to UTEP, the greater community, and their academics through their leadership and experiences.
There is no limit to the number of recipients for either of these awards.
Eligibility
The Leaders of Mines Award and Distinguished Leader Award are earned by students classified as juniors or seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.
To be considered for the Leaders of Mines Award, applicants must have:
- Maintained membership in a student organization for at least one academic year
- Held a leadership role in a student organization for at least one academic year
- Demonstrated contributions to UTEP
- Demonstrated contributions to the greater community
- Have been engaged in two or more UTEP Edge Experiences.
To be considered for the Distinguished Leader Award, applicants must have:
- Maintained membership in a student organization for at least two academic years
- Have held a leadership role in a student organization for at least one academic year
- Made significant contributions to UTEP
- Made significant contributions to the greater community
- Have been engaged in three or more UTEP Edge Experiences.
You may nominate yourself or someone else you believe is a Leader of Mines or Distinguished Leader.
Note: The prompt for both awards is the same. All students who meet the additional criteria outlined above will be considered for the Distinguished Leader Award along with the Leaders of Mines Awards. Ultimately, student recipients will receive either the Distinguished Leader Award or the Leaders of Mines Award, not both.
Award Prompt- Leader of Mines
- How do you/does the nominee exemplify leadership? (250-word limit)
- Which student organization(s) are you/the nominee a member of? (250-word limit)
- How long have you/the nominee been a member of this/these student organizations?
- What is the leadership role you/the nominee held for at least one academic year?
- Outline and discuss your/the nominee’s meaningful contributions to the UTEP Community. (250-word limit)
- Outline and discuss your/the nominee’s meaningful contributions to your Community. (250-word limit)
- Outline and discuss your/the nominee’s engagement experience(s) regarding UTEP Edge. (250-word limit)
- Optional: Upload one letter of recommendation in PDF format.
Student Organization Awards
The awards below recognize the achievements of student organizations, advisors, and student leaders in organizations. For the individual awards, students/advisors may apply for the award or may be nominated by someone else. If you are nominating someone for one of the awards listed below, then you will respond to the prompted questions describing the person you are nominating.
How to Apply
- Each award listed below has its own prompts for the application. We recommend preparing responses on a separate document, then copy/pasting them into the form. Be aware of the 250-word limit for each response.
The Program/Event of the Year award is presented to a student organization that has facilitated a successful program/event that positively impacted UTEP students or the greater community. This program/event will have exemplified the student organization’s mission and vision while fostering a sense of belonging amongst its members.
Award Prompt
- Summarize the program/event from Fall 2022 – Spring 2023 your student organization is nominating. (300-word limit)
- Please include the following:
- program/event name
- date
- location
- target audience and total attendance
- program/event goals
- program description
- Please include the following:
- Describe the impact this program/event had on the audience. (250-word limit)
- Explain why this program/event was successful. (250-word limit)
- Explain how this program/event impacted your student organization. (250-word limit)
Student Organization of the Year
The Student Organization of the Year award is presented to a student organization that goes above and beyond in the areas of academics, programming, member recruitment/engagement, and the development of student leaders.
Award Application Prompts
- Tell us about your organization and your organization’s mission/vision/goals. (250-word limit)
- Provide information and examples of the major successes and accomplishments made during the 2022-2023 academic year in the areas of:
- Academics/scholarship
- Facilitating programs/events
- Member engagement
- Recruitment/intake and new member education and development
- Summarize your student organization’s involvement in campus-wide programs (i.e. Minerpalooza, Homecoming, etc.) (250-word limit)
- Share the biggest challenge your student organization faced this academic year and how you overcame that challenge. (250-word maximum)
- Discuss why your student organization is the most outstanding student organization on campus. (250-word limit)
**FSL Chapters are not eligible for this award. Please see Fraternity/Sorority of the Year award information.
Community Service Event of the Year
The Community Service Event of the Year award is presented to a student organization that goes above and beyond in community service, raising awareness, and contributing to a greater cause.
Award Application Prompt
- Summarize a community service project that your organization organized and executed during the 2022-2023 academic year. Please include a brief summary of the project and describe the community that benefited from this project. (250-word limit)
- What was the total number of volunteers from your organization who participated in this event and how long did each member volunteer for?
- What were the goals established for the event? Were these goals achieved? (250-word limit)
- Summarize what your members found most rewarding about the community service you participated in this year. (250-word limit)
- Please provide any photos of your project that you have available. (Optional)
Student Organization President of the Year
The Student Organization President of the Year award is presented to an outstanding president who leads their student organization in alignment with their values, effectively motivates their members, and leaves a positive legacy. Eligible presidents include those who served in 2022 (calendar year) or those who are currently serving (elected in Fall 2022). Newly elected Spring 2023 presidents are not eligible for this award.
This application can be submitted by the nominee, fellow peer, or advisor who wants to recognize an outstanding president.
Award Prompt
-
Summarize how this person embodies the values of your student organization. (250-word limit)
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Describe how this President has motivated the members of your student organization to remain involved in activities and student life events.(250-word limit)
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Share one significant contribution this nominee made in leading your organization. (250-word limit)
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Summarize this nominee's impact on your student organization and why they should receive this award.(250-word limit)
Student Organization Advisor of the Year
The Student Organization Advisor of the Year award is presented to an advisor who exemplifies the mission and values of the RSO and provides great support for its members.
This application should be submitted by a student leader on behalf of the advisor who they wish to recognize.
Award Prompt
-
How long has this advisor served in this role with your organization?
-
Name three characteristics that best describe your advisor and how they contribute to the organization. (250-word limit)
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List and describe the contributions your advisor made to the organization and its members. (250-word limit)
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Explain why your advisor is a role model for your organization. (250-word limit)
-
Why should this advisor be recognized as Advisor of the Year? (250-word limit)
New Student Organization of the Year
Award Application Prompts
- Tell us about what inspired your founding group of officers to start the organization (share your organization’s mission/vision/goals - 250-word limit).
- Provide information and examples of the major successes and developments made during the 2022-2023 academic year in the areas of:
- Academics/scholarship
- Facilitating programs/events
- Member engagement
- Recruitment/intake and new member education and development
- Share the biggest challenge your student organization faced this academic year and how you overcame that challenge. (250-word maximum).
- Discuss why your student organization is the most outstanding new student organization on campus. (250-word limit).
**FSL Chapters are not eligible for this award. Please see Fraternity/Sorority of the Year award information.
Fraternity and Sorority Life Awards
The awards below recognize the achievements of the chapters in Fraternity and Sorority Life at UTEP, chapter advisors, and student leaders in these organizations. For the individual awards, students/advisors may apply for the award or may be nominated for the award by someone else. If you are nominating someone for one of the awards listed below, then you will respond to the prompted questions describing the person you are nominating.
How to Apply
Each award listed below has its own prompts for the application. We recommend preparing responses on a separate document, then copy/pasting them into the form. Be aware of the 250-word limit for each response.
Award Description
The Chapter President of the Year award is presented to an outstanding chapter president who leads their fraternity or sorority in alignment with their values, effectively motivates its members, and leaves a positive legacy within their chapter. Presidents are eligible to apply for this award if they have served in the 2022-2023 academic year.
This application can be submitted by the nominee, fellow peer, or advisor who wants to recognize an outstanding president.
Award Prompt
- Summarize how the nominee embodies the values of your Fraternity/Sorority. (250-word limit)
- Briefly describe the characteristics that make the nominee an outstanding chapter president. (250-word limit)
- Explain what the nominee has done to motivate and/or empower members of your chapter to remain involved in activities and student life events. (250-word maximum)
- Share one significant contribution this nominee made while leading the organization. (250-word limit)
- Summarize this nominee's impact on your chapter and why they should be recognized as Chapter President of the Year. (250-word limit)
Award Description
The Chapter Advisor of the Year is awarded to an advisor who has gone above and beyond. Eligible advisors for this award include Chapter Alumni Advisor or a Faculty/Staff Advisor. This application must be completed by a current member of the chapter that is advised by this alumni/faculty/staff member.
Award Prompt
- How long has this advisor served in this role with your chapter?
- Name three characteristics that best describe your advisor and why. (250-word limit)
- Explain why your advisor is a role model for your chapter. (250-word limit)
- List and describe the contributions your advisor has made to the organization and/or its members. (250-word limit)
- Why should this advisor be recognized as Chapter Advisor of the Year? (250-word limit)
The Sorority of the Year award is presented to a fraternity and sorority that goes above and beyond in the areas of service, philanthropy, academic achievement, Greek unity, and development of student leaders.
One application is allowed per chapter.
Eligibility
To be eligible, for consideration a chapter may not be on a probationary status and may not have more than 2 strikes on their Good Standing record for the current academic year.
Award Criteria
- Tell us about your chapter and your chapter’s mission/vision/goals. (250-word limit)
- Discuss one major community service or philanthropy event your chapter hosted in/participated in during the past academic year. How was the community or organization you served impacted? (250-word limit)
- Describe one major program or initiative that your organization executed to support members’ academic success over this past year. (250-word limit)
- Summarize how your organization has shown Greek Unity to other organizations of the FSL community. (250-word limit)
- Share how your chapter members have been impacted by participation in any or all of the campus events listed below. (250-word limit)
- UTEP’s Student Leadership Conference
- Hazing Prevention Week
- Alcohol Awareness Week
- Greek Day of Service
- Discuss overall why your sorority is the most outstanding sorority on campus. (250-word limit)
The Fraternity of the Year award is presented to a fraternity that goes above and beyond in the areas of service, philanthropy, academic achievement, Greek unity, and development of student leaders.
One application is allowed per chapter.
Eligibility
To be eligible, for consideration a chapter may not be on a probationary status and may not have more than 2 strikes on their Good Standing record for the current academic year.
Award Criteria
- Tell us about your chapter and your chapter’s mission/vision/goals. (250-word limit)
- Discuss one major community service or philanthropy event your chapter hosted in/participated in during the past academic year. How was the community or organization you served impacted? (250-word limit)
- Describe one major program or initiative that your organization executed to support members’ academic success over this past year. (250-word limit)
- Summarize how your organization has shown Greek Unity to other organizations of the FSL community. (250-word limit)
- Share how your chapter members have been impacted by participation in any or all of the campus events listed below. (250-word limit)
- UTEP’s Student Leadership Conference
- Hazing Prevention Week
- Alcohol Awareness Week
- Greek Day of Service
- Discuss overall why your fraternity is the most outstanding fraternity on campus. (250-word limit)