Spartans of Excellence
UNC Greensboro honors outstanding student leaders and groups at the Spartans of Excellence Ceremony held annually in April. This annual event provides an exciting opportunity to celebrate the impact our students and organizations make as leaders, scholars, and innovators. Information about nominations and applications for awards will be shared with student group leaders in the spring semester.
award information
- Applicants must be full time undergraduate or graduate student of the University at the time of nomination in order for their applications to be considered.
- Recipients, both group and individual, cannot win the same award in two consecutive years.
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 for undergraduate applicants; minimum GPA of 3.00 for graduate applicants.
- All student group or individual projects referred to in applications must have happened in the current academic year.
- Activities & Campus Events (ACE) is exempt from student group awards due to their special circumstances regarding financial support, staff support, and programming nature of their group. Individual ACE members, however, ARE eligible for individual awards.
- Individuals and student groups must be in good academic standing and have a good conduct standing with the University.
- Each award may have additional criteria.
Individuals and groups can be nominated by faculty and/or staff to win one of the awards, but it is the responsibility of the nominee to fill out the application to be considered for the award. The additional application information MUST be completed by the nominee in order to be considered by the Selection Committee.
Do you know a student group doing outstanding things across campus? Do you work with or know an amazing student leader? Is there a student group advisor that stands out? Consider nominating them for one of our Excellence Awards! Check Spartan Connect in the spring semester for nomination information.
Note: Nominations do not replace the application process. All nominees must apply for the award(s) they have been nominated for.
Applications will be available on Spartan Connect on the “Forms” tab in the spring semester. All winners will be announced at the ceremony.
ORGANIZATION award descriptions
This award celebrates an organization that brings the Spartan Experience to life by creating a vibrant, inclusive community where every member can thrive. It recognizes a group that goes beyond basic meetings to drive real campus impact, turning everyday involvement into a powerful launchpad for leadership, wellbeing, and lasting connections.
This award recognizes an organization established at UNCG during the current academic year that has established a strong foundation of care and connection among leaders and members, and intentionally developed their campus identity. It celebrates a group who has excelled in leadership, and identified opportunities for significant impact in their first year at UNCG.
This award recognizes a student organization that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to social responsibility through impactful community service. Whether through a flagship initiative or a sustained series of programs, the recipient is selected based on how effectively they leveraged their resources and mission to meet community needs while fostering student leadership and participation.
This award recognizes a student organization that has demonstrated exceptional creativity and innovation through a single standout event or a successful series of programs. Recipients are selected based on their excellence in strategic planning, promotion and marketing, and the resourceful execution of initiatives that effectively engage a diverse student body. Clarity and achievement of the program’s stated goals and objectives are essential.
This award recognizes two or more student organizations that have demonstrated the power of partnership by working together to enhance the Spartan Experience. It celebrates groups that form intentional connections, pool their unique strengths and resources, and highlight the intentional impact that comes from building connections across different missions and communities.
This award recognizes a student organization dedicated to advancing equity and solidarity within the UNCG community through programmatic and/or mission-oriented efforts. The recipient is a group that actively champions fairness, drives direct action for social change, and demonstrates understanding and application of connections across difference(s).
This award recognizes a student organization dedicated to ensuring the well-being of members and the UNCG community through the promotion of holistic wellness, including promotion of physical, social, mental, and environmental well-being, and integration of structures that support a culture of care.
Spartan Experience Certified Student Organizations demonstrate their commitment to the development of their organization, their peers, and the UNCG community. These organizations have committed themselves to intentional organizational development throughout the current academic year focusing on the 5 dimensions of the Spartan Experience including Career, Connections, Inclusion, Leadership end Wellbeing. In addition, these groups have demonstrated a commitment to building strong organizational foundations, and participated in a service experience alongside members of their group. A certified organization has spent more than 14 hours this year with CAP and numerous other campus partners, developing their organization and it’s members, and setting up their organization for future success.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS – LEADERS OF DISTINCTION
This award honors an undergraduate student who has balanced academic excellence with a deep commitment to the UNCG community through student organization leadership during the current academic year. The recipient is a leader who doesn’t just hold a position, but actively elevates the Spartan Experience by mentoring peers, fostering innovation, and driving the success of their organization(s).
This award honors a graduate student who has balanced academic excellence with a deep commitment to the UNCG community through student organization leadership during the current academic year. The recipient is a leader who doesn’t just hold a position, but actively elevates the Spartan Experience by mentoring peers, fostering innovation, and driving the success of their organization(s).
This award celebrates a faculty or staff member for their work with a recognized student group in development of students leadership skills and creativity, as well as group development. This advisor serves in a voluntary capacity (it is not part of their job/professional responsibilities) and dedicates time and talents to support the efforts of the student organization.
The Spirit of a Spartan Award is an individual award recognizing a student leader or member who personifies the core tenants of the Spartan Experience (Career, Connections, Inclusion, Leadership, Wellbeing, Service). This award celebrates an individual whose presence transforms the campus experience, serving as a living example of what it means to lead with integrity, resilience, and a commitment to others.
This award honors a student leader who serves as the heart of their organization, consistently driving success from behind the scenes with humility and dedication. It recognizes an individual who “encourages the heart” by infusing hope and determination into every project, ensuring that hard work is celebrated with genuine care and encouragement for their peers.
The Legacy of Excellence Award is a prestigious individual honor presented to a graduating senior who has defined their collegiate career through sustained leadership, selfless service, and an unwavering commitment to the UNCG community. This award recognizes a student whose multi-year journey has not only transformed their own path but has fundamentally elevated the Spartan Experience for those who follow.
past award winners
Outstanding Student Group of the Year: Undergraduate Women in Business
Outstanding New Student Group of the Year: Public Health Impact Network
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader: Christopher Dickerson
Outstanding Graduate Student Leader: Parishi Sanjiv Gandhi
Outstanding Student Group Advisor: Julia Goren
Excellence in Innovation: THREADS – CARS Organization
Excellence in Advocacy: Sisters with a Vision
Excellence in Community Service: Bridging Basics
Spartan Leadership Awards: Grace McTigue, Kathy Meza-Herrera, Justin Kelly, Tania Perez Rodriguez, Dominic Done, Chase Sperka, Candy Chambers, Kevin Montes Mendoza, Samy Reza Mendoza, Jia Emaus
Student Groups of Excellence: Student Government Association (SGA), Activities and Campus Events (ACE), ALPFA Student Chapter at UNCG, Sigma Sigma Sigma (Sorority), Ritmo Latino
Outstanding Student Group of the Year: Black Student Union
Outstanding New Student Group of the Year: Undergraduate Women in Business
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader: Maleak Whitaker
Outstanding Graduate Student Leader: Christine McAllister
Outstanding Student Group Advisor: Dr. Christian Chan
Excellence in Innovation: Muslim Students Association
Excellence in Advocacy: Spartan Investment Club
Excellence in Community Service: Omega Nu Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Spartan Leadership Awards: Emanuel Mendez Aquino, Jamaas Britton, Fernando Alfredo Cuevas, Time Faucette, Youn Jung Ho, Bertha Figueroa Mejia, Anna Morse, Katherine Janine Souris, Seren Wang
Student Groups of Excellence: Black Student Union, Chinese Culture and Language Association, Hillel, Sisters with a Vision, The UNO Club, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Outstanding Student Group of the Year: Nepalese Student Association
Outstanding New Student Group of the Year: UNCG Animation Club
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader: Grace Wall
Outstanding Graduate Student Leader: Jordan Farmer
Outstanding Student Group Advisor: Trevis Belle
Excellence in Innovation: Residence Hall Association
Excellence in Advocacy: Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society, Zeta Phi Chapter
Excellence in Community Service: Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity
Spartan Leadership Awards: Tyler Clark, Brenda Corado, Maura Crenshaw, Brooklyn Haynes, Kevin Hogan, Isaiah King, Jyesha McKinney, Hazael Mengesha, Jordan Moss, Yu Pan
Student Groups of Excellence: Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc., Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society, Zeta Phi Chapter, Muslim Student Association, Residence Hall Association
Outstanding Student Group of the Year: Hillel
Outstanding New Student Group of the Year: Graduate History Association
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader: Isaiah King
Outstanding Graduate Student Leader: Ashanti Figures
Outstanding Student Group Advisor: Vicki Cathcart, Hillel
Excellence in Innovation: No Labels
Excellence in Advocacy: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Excellence in Community Service: Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority
Spartan Leadership Awards: Destiny Franklin, Chandni Lal, Mariah Taylor-Judd, Ariyan Starks, Scarlett Nunez, Christelle Barakat, Emilee Robbins, Megan Whitbeck
Student Groups of Excellence: Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, Chi Upsilon Sigma, Delight Ministries, Graduate Student Association, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Spartan Diabetics Support Group, VAW Global Health Alliances
Outstanding Student Group of the Year: Hillel
Outstanding New Student Group of the Year: National Retail Federation Student Association
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader: Sky Kihuwa-Mani
Outstanding Graduate Student Leader: Christelle Barakat
Outstanding Student Group Advisor: Dr. Erica Payton Foh, Eta Sigma Gamma Honorary (Health Education)
Excellence in Innovation: Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin, Sorority, Inc.
Excellence in Advocacy: Helping Hand Project
Excellence in Community Service: Graduate Student Association
Spartan Leadership Awards: Austin Moore, Brittany Gottschalk, Milan Novakovic, Naglaa Rashwan, and Zi Yae Kang
Outstanding Student Leader: Mahlik Conley
Outstanding Student Group Advisor: Shawn Copeland, National Residence Hall Honorary
Excellence in Innovation: Queen in You
Excellence in Advocacy: Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc.
Excellence in Community Service: Graduate Student Association
Outstanding New Student Group: Performers of Change
Spartan Leadership Awards: Shevon Phifer Smith, Jasmine Spears, Desiree Gorbea Finalet, Sydney Rogers, Raygan Hansley, Austin Moore, Leila Shelley, Talisha Mobley, Carver Thompson, & Derick D. Jones, Jr.
Outstanding Student Leader: Alisha Woodside
Outstanding Student Group Advisor: Gus Pena
Excellence in Innovation: The Impact Movement
Excellence in Advocacy: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Excellence in Community Service: Girls Reaching Out
Spartan Leadership Awards: Sterling Hamm-Jones, Sydney Rogers, Cassidy Burel, Iyanna Huffington, Thanaree (Alyssa) Pickens, Noor Ghazi, Olivia Tarpley, Mahlik Conley, Austin McCraw, Erin West
Student Groups of Excellence: Hillel, Multicultural Nursing Students Association, Sigma Sigma Rho Sorority, Inc., Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.