Student Organizations and Activities Announces 2018 Award Recipients

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 16, 2018)— The University of Kentucky's Office of Student Organizations and Activities recognized several outstanding students, organizations and event a staff member at its 2018 award ceremony. SOA is an outlet for students on campus to explore the many opportunities for involvement in UK's community beyond the classroom and residence life experience.

Being a part of SOA allows students to make connections to their own interests, concerns and passions while learning from each other. It provides students the tools to make a real-world impact while following their own, unique vision for change and service.

This year’s student award recipients are as follows: 

Individual Awards 

Diversity and Inclusion Award - Brandon Colbert, junior: The Diversity and Inclusion Award is presented to a student who demonstrates an active commitment to issues of diversity, inclusion and social justice. This award is presented to a student leader who has made a positive contribution to the university by working to improve diversity and intercultural understanding among students on campus. 

Emerging Leader Award - Sumaya Shalash, sophomore: This award recognizes a freshman or sophomore who has made a significant impact on the UK community and who demonstrates potential for continued service and leadership at the university. Nominees demonstrate a high level of achievement in one or more areas, such as membership involvement leadership, organization development, active participation in UK campus activities, and community service or philanthropy.

Leadership Legacy Awards - Abby Shelton, senior, and Trevor Nichols, law student: This award recognizes juniors, seniors, and graduate or professional students whose leadership and involvement experiences have made a lasting impact on the UK community, and who demonstrate outstanding character and commitment to developing future leaders. Nominees demonstrate a high level of achievement in one or more areas, such as membership involvement, leadership, organization development, active participation in UK campus activities, and community service or philanthropy.

Student Organization Member of the Year Award - Montayah Pozzi, junior: This award recognizes an outstanding member of a registered student organization who has made a significant impact on their student organization, while not serving directly in a leadership position. Nominees demonstrate a high level of achievement in one of more of the areas: commitment to organization mission and goals, commitment to continued growth of the organization, dedication to community building among members, and contributions to the campus community.

Student Organization Officer of the Year Award - Molly Mathistad, senior: This award recognizes an outstanding officer of a registered student organization who has made a significant impact on their student organization while serving in a leadership role. Nominees demonstrate a high level of achievement in one of more of the areas: commitment to organization mission and goals, commitment to continued growth of the organization, dedication to leadership and development of members, and contributions to the campus community.

Group Awards 

Program of the Year Award (Over 50 Members) - UK Service Corps: This award recognizes an outstanding program that has occurred during the 2017-18 academic year coordinated by a student group or organization with greater than 50 members that has had a unique impact on the university community. Programs are events and activities created by students for students that occurred one time or over a period of time. 

Program of the Year Award (Under 50 Members) - Camp Kesem: This award recognizes an outstanding program that has occurred during the 2017-18 academic year coordinated by a student group or organization with fewer than 50 members that has had a unique impact on the university community. Programs are events and activities created by students for students that occurred one time or over a period of time.

Civic Engagement Award - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.: This award honors the exceptional commitment and service to the community by a student group or organization whose mission is dedicated to service. Nominees demonstrate a high level of achievement in one or more areas, such as fulfillment of its organization's purpose, membership involvement, organization development, active participation in UK campus activities, and community service or philanthropy.

Collaboration Award - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.: This award recognizes the efforts of two or more student groups or organizations that worked together, or with a university department, on a specific program/event/project that did not benefit the welfare of the organizations, fulfilled any national affiliation, or led to monetary gain or recruiting/competitive event.

Diversity and Inclusion Award - MANNRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences): The Diversity and Inclusion Award is presented to a student organization that demonstrates an active commitment to issues of diversity, inclusion and social justice. The organization has demonstrated this active commitment through its programming and initiatives. The program or initiatives will have a focus on developing understanding, tolerance and acceptance.

New Student Organization of the Year Award - Theta Nu Xi: This award recognizes the efforts of a new registered student organization that has been registered for only one-two years (was registered for the first time during the 2016-17 or 2017-18 academic years). Organizations will have made a positive contribution to the campus community and its membership in their first one-two years on campus. This organization must show potential in the areas of community engagement, collaboration, diversity and leadership development.

Student Organization of the Year Award - MANNRS: This award recognizes the efforts of a registered student organization that has been registered for more than two years (has been registered since the 2015-16 academic year). Organizations will have made a positive contribution to the campus community and its membership. This organization must demonstrate excellence in the areas of community engagement, collaboration, diversity and leadership development.

Programming and Student Activities Board Assistant Director Rachel Hanson won the Advisor of the Year Award, the only staff recipient recognized as part of the student awards ceremony. This award recognizes a student organization advisor for the exemplary service and commitment of working with and advising a registered student organization. Nominees demonstrate a high level of achievement in one or more of the areas: encouraging involvement in university activities; working with the group toward common goals; encouraging collaboration with other groups, faculty, staff, and campus departments; commitment to the development of responsible, informed and productive members of the university community; and/or assisting students with programs, meetings and events that are consistent with the organization’s mission and purpose.