Student Life Awards Categories

The Jerrold L. Stein Student Life Awards for Excellence in Student Leadership and Campus Involvement are designed to honor individuals, student organizations, and student group advisors who have made outstanding contributions to their communities through their involvement, service, and leadership development activities. The various award categories are listed in this section.

Individual students, faculty, and staff as well as departments and organizations are invited to submit nominations for these awards. Self-nominations are welcomed. Student Life Awards nominations are collected in April of each year.

Student Organization Program Awards

Social Program Award

Award Criteria & Nomination Instructions: Nominees for this award must be sponsored by a recognized organization registered with the Department of Student Engagement & Activities OR supported by a campus department. Nominations should demonstrate how the program met/exceeded the following criteria in 500 words or less:

Successful and organized planning and implementation
Outcomes that promoted a sense of community and engagement across a broad subset of campus population
Significant impact on campus community that stands out above others

*********************************************************************

Service Program Award

Successful and organized planning and implementation
Outcomes that promoted tenets of selfless acts of service and civic engagement
Significant impact on campus community and beyond that stands out above others

*********************************************************************

Educational Program Award

Successful and organized planning and implementation
Outcomes that promoted greater awareness of an existing academic, political, or social issue; enhanced student learning; provided a meaningful exchange of ideas; and encouraged an action-based response
Significant impact on campus community that stands out above others

*********************************************************************

Diversity & Inclusion Program Award

Successful and organized planning and implementation
Outcomes that promoted cross-cultural learning and interaction; appealed to a broad audience; and provided a meaningful exchange of ideas
Significant impact on campus community that stands out above others

*********************************************************************

Collaborative Program Award

Award Criteria & Nomination Instructions: Nominees for this award must be an in person event sponsored by a recognized organization that is registered with the Department of Student Engagement & Activities in collaboration with at least one other recognized organization or campus department. Collaborations involving unrecognized organizations will not be considered for this award. Nominations should demonstrate how the program met/exceeded the following criteria in 500 words or less:

Successful and organized planning and implementation
Demonstrates effective teamwork and collaboration amongst sponsoring organizations
Significant impact on campus community that stands out above others

*********************************************************************

Program of the Year

Award Criteria & Nomination Instructions: Nominees for this award must be sponsored by a recognized organization that is registered with the Department of Student Engagement & Activities. Nominations should demonstrate how the program met/exceeded the following criteria in 500 words or less:

Successful and organized planning and implementation
Outcome that embodied the SBU spirit of pride, inclusivity, and community
Most significant impact on campus community that stands out above others

Student Leader Awards

In addition to award specific criteria, nominees for all Student Leader Awards must be an undergraduate or graduate student leader in appropriate conduct standing with the University. Sanctions of University Probation or higher, or a sanction restricting participation in clubs/organizations or from holding leadership positions disqualify students from receiving these awards.

Advocacy Leadership Award

Award Criteria & Nomination Instructions: Nominees for this award must be undergraduate or graduate student leaders in appropriate conduct standing with the University as outlined above, with a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher. Nominations should demonstrate how the individual met/exceeded the following criteria in 500 words or less

Unwavering dedication to serving as a change agent
Commitment to generating awareness of diverse/social justice issues
Devoted significant time and effort toward making our campus community and beyond a more equitable and just environment
Significant impact on campus community and beyond that stands out above others

*********************************************************************

Peter Baigent Recreational & Leisure Activities Leadership Award

Creation of a unique community space on campus for students to express themselves, focused on a particular hobby, passion or interests
Works to allow students to find community they may not be able to find elsewhere on campus
Significant impact on campus community that stands out above others

*********************************************************************

Emerging Leadership Award

Award Criteria & Nomination Instructions: Nominees for this award must be undergraduate student leaders with an admit term between Fall 2022-Fall 2023, cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher, and be in appropriate conduct standing with the University as outlined above. Nominations should demonstrate how the individual met/exceeded the following criteria in 500 words or less:

Displayed great potential during their tenure at the University thus far, as evidenced in ways including but not limited to: leadership, involvement, work ethic, desire and ability to contribute positively to the campus
Significant impact on campus community that stands out above others

*********************************************************************

Community Service Leadership Award

Unwavering dedication to the principle and values of servant leadership
Commitment to generating awareness of community based issues beyond the borders of our campus
Devoted significant time and effort toward providing service to neighboring local, metro, regional or global community
Significant impact on campus community that stands out above others

*********************************************************************

Civic Engagement Leadership Award

Unwavering dedication to civic engagement vis-a-vis participation in government and democratic ideals, principles, education and/or civic related activities
Commitment to generating awareness of civic- and civility-based issues on or off campus
Devoted significant time and effort to civic education, civic justice, or civility initiatives
Significant impact on campus community that stands out above others

*********************************************************************

Organizational Leadership Award

Award Criteria & Nomination Instructions:Nominees for this award must be undergraduate or graduate student leaders affiliated with a recognized organization registered with the Department of Student Engagement & Activities, in appropriate conduct standing with the University as outlined above, with a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher. Nominees who hold top 4 executive board roles (i.e. President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) are not eligible for this award, & should be nominated for Executive Board Member of the year. Nominations should demonstrate how the individual met/exceeded the following criteria in 500 words or less:

Gone above and beyond the call of duty to advance the mission of their organization, as evidenced in ways including but not limited to: acquiring new skills; membership engagement; innovation; leadership development; and cross-campus collaboration and relationship building
Significant impact on organization’s success, and campus community as a whole that stands out above others

*********************************************************************

Executive Board Member of the Year

Award Criteria & Nomination Instructions: Nominees for this award must be undergraduate or graduate student leaders who serve in top 4 executive board roles (i.e. President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) for a recognized organization registered with the Department of Student Engagement & Activities, in appropriate conduct standing with the University as outlined above, with a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher. Nominations should demonstrate how the individual met/exceeded the following criteria in 500 words or less:

Gone above and beyond the call of duty to advance the mission of their organization, as evidenced in ways including but not limited to: acquiring new skills; executive board and general membership engagement; innovation; leadership development; and cross-campus collaboration and relationship building
Significant impact on organization’s success, and campus community as a whole that stands out above others

*********************************************************************

Theresa Montenaro 200% Student Leadership Award

Award Criteria & Nomination Instructions:Throughout her 20 years as a custodian in the Stony Brook Union, Theresa Montenaro was committed to providing a caring and safe environment for all students, faculty, and staff. Nominees for this award must be undergraduate student leaders of junior or senior standing, with a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher, in appropriate conduct standing with the University as outlined above. Nominations should demonstrate how the individual met/exceeded the following criteria in 500 words or less:

Goes beyond the call of duty and regularly gives 200%
Exemplifies Theresa Montenaro’s unique qualities, which include the ability to listen with understanding, guide without boundaries, give and take with love, and grow with each passing day
Outstanding leadership, involvement, and impact on campus that stands out above others

*********************************************************************

Elizabeth D. Couey Award

Award Criteria & Nomination Instructions: This award was established in 1974 in memory of the first Director of the Stony Brook Union and is awarded for outstanding contributions towards the improvement and growth of student life at Stony Brook. Nominees for this award must be undergraduate student leaders of senior standing (expected graduation date of May, August, or December 2022), with a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher, in appropriate conduct standing with the University as outlined above. Nominations should demonstrate how the individual met/exceeded the following criteria in 500 words or less:

Exemplifies Elizabeth Couey’s unique qualities of exemplary service, visionary leadership, and an unceasing dedication to enhancing campus life
Outstanding leadership and involvement on campus
Contributed significantly toward the improvement and growth of student life and campus community that stands out above others

Student Organization Awards

Social Media Engagement Award

Award Criteria & Nomination Instructions: Nominees for this award must be a recognized organization registered with the Department of Student Engagement & Activities OR supported by a campus department. Nominations should demonstrate in 500 words or less how the program met/exceeded the following criteria:

Successful utilization of one or more social media platforms
Social media content that promotes engagement through a variety of innovative methods
Utilization of branding and strategies that build awareness and recognition
Significant impact on the campus community that stands out above others

*********************************************************************

Best New Organization Award

Award Criteria & Nomination Instructions: Nominees for this award must be a recognized and newly registered organization with the Department of Student Engagement & Activities (ie. completed the new club process in the 22-23 academic year, or the Fall 2023 semester), andin good standing with the University. Nominations should demonstrate how the organization met/exceeded the following criteria in 500 words or less:

Fulfill the mission of their organization
Shown great potential thus far in contributing to the growth and success of their organization, and its impact on enhancing the campus community and student life. This can be evidenced in many ways including but not limited to: providing a strong sense of community for its members; planning relevant programs or services; proudly representing the University; displaying great initiative to be visible on campus; and growth in membership since its recognition, all of which stand out above others

*********************************************************************

Most Improved Organization Award

Award Criteria & Nomination Instructions: Nominees for this award must be a recognized organization registered with the Department of Student Engagement & Activities, and in good standing with the University. Nominations should demonstrate how the organization met/exceeded the following criteria in 500 words or less:

Fulfill the mission of their organization
Demonstrated significant, meaningful, and lasting growth and development for their organization in areas including, but not limited to: programming; leadership; and organizational management.
Significant impact on campus community that stands out above others

******************************************************************

Campus Community Impact Award

Award Criteria & Nomination Instructions: Nominees for this award must be a recognized organization registered with the Department of Student Engagement & Activities, and in good standing with the University.Nominations should demonstrate how the organization met/exceeded the following criteria in 500 words or less:

Fulfill the mission of their organization
Commitment to engaging a broad subset of the campus population in programming and initiatives that are impactful, lasting, and generate a sense of community, pride, inclusivity, and engagement
Consistently collaborated with a variety of student groups and university departments throughout to produce quality activities and services to benefit the campus and beyond with tangible outcomes
Significant impact on campus community and beyond that stands out above others

*********************************************************************

Organization of the Year Award

Demonstrated significant effort to fulfill and further its purpose and mission through its contribution to Stony Brook and/or the community at large (local, state, national, or international)
Unwavering commitment to their organization and the campus community as demonstrated in many ways including: consistent flexibility; initiative; creativity; perseverance; leadership development; cross-campus collaboration; leadership role and advocacy on campus; programmatic efforts; and commitment to the betterment and education of its members which reflects a benefit for the University community.
Contributed significantly toward the improvement and growth of individuals within their organization, their organization as a whole, and student life and the campus community at large that stands out above others
Most significant impact on campus community that stands out above others and serves as a role model for other organizations on campus

Advisor of the Year Award

Award Criteria & Nomination Instructions: Nominees for this award must serve as an advisor for a recognized organization registered with the Department of Student Engagement & Activities. Nominations should demonstrate how the advisor met/exceeded the following criteria in 500 words or less:

Commitment to going beyond the call to mentor students
Offers knowledge and experience to the organization
Provides ongoing active involvement and support
Significant impact on individuals and organization as a whole that stands out above others

Past Student Life Award Winners