Spartans of Excellence
UNC Greensboro honors outstanding student leaders and groups at the Spartans of Excellence Student Awards 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 [Spartan Leadership and Outstanding Student Leader].
- 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.
award descriptions
The Outstanding Student Group of the Year award is presented to one returning student group and one new student group who exceed excellence within the CAP’s Four Pillars of Excellence: Leadership, Service, Scholarship, and Community. The groups awarded this honor will have met all requirements to becoming a Student Group of Excellence. Further, the group awarded this honor will have set themselves apart through their Spartan Pride, and a proven dedication to contributing to the university and Greensboro-area, and operates as the model student group that other groups can aspire toward.
The Outstanding Student Group Advisor award is presented to a faculty or staff member in recognition of their work with a student group in development of students, their leadership skills and creativity, as well as group development. This individual should have made significant contributions to the UNCG community, is aware of University policies and procedures, and serve as an advisor VOLUNTARILY (it is not part of their job/professional responsibilities). As an advisor, they must have maintained regular communication with the student group, regularly attended meetings and/or events, and understand the group’s mission.
The Outstanding Student Leader award is presented to one undergraduate and one graduate individual, who has exemplified a balance of personal and academic excellence, and meaningful leadership involvement in the UNCG community. The individual must have completed leadership training or orientation programs, and either: a) participated in a student group, b) been employed by the University, and/or c) participated in a committee.
The Spartan Leadership Awards are presented to ten undergraduate or graduate students of UNCG who have demonstrated outstanding spirit, leadership and service. These students exemplify UNCG values with leadership, commitment, respect for others, and going beyond the call of duty. Students will be chosen from the remaining applicants of the Outstanding Student Leader Awards.
The Group Excellence in Innovation award is presented to a group for demonstrating innovative and creative programming in a single event or on an ongoing basis. Achievements in planning, delegation, execution, promotion, and presentation of programs will be taken into consideration. This group must have demonstrated effective use of available resources, promotion and marketing efforts, and considered the diverse population of student audiences. Clarity and achievement of the program’s stated goals and objectives are essential.
The Group Excellence in Advocacy award is presented to a student group for their commitment to equality and solidarity in the UNCG community. This group challenges our community to be one based on fairness, calls for direct action to implement social change, and helps students realize their potential. They must demonstrate a strong desire for improving cultural, socioeconomic, and gender role understanding, and have bridged the many groups represented on campus.
The Group Excellence in Community Service is presented to a student group based on overall community service efforts. These efforts could consist of a one-time program or a series of programs during an academic year, up to the application deadline. Consideration for recognition is based on how closely the series of programs reflects the group’s mission, student participation in development and execution, effective use of available resources, and the impact of the service in meeting the community’s needs.
student groups of excellence
All recognized student groups have the opportunity to be recognized as a Student Group of Excellence. Once a student group has achieved all 4 recognition pillars, they are able to apply for this recognition. Groups will be rewarded with their name on a visible plaque in the student organization cubicles, website recognition, and Student Groups of Excellence will be announced at the annual Spartans of Excellence Awards in the spring. Applications for Student Groups of Excellence will open in the spring semester.
student grouPs of excellence requirements
Collaboration is an important skill that all successful student groups must have. Working alongside peers to create meaningful experiences provides vibrancy to our entire campus community. Student groups who excel in this pillar often collaborate on events and seek to support other groups.
Minimum Requirement: Collaborate with 1 or more student groups on an event or special project
Student groups are breeding grounds for leaders. CAP believes that leadership skills acquired should be used to not only better oneself, but better their peers. Student groups who excel in the leadership pillar use their platform to lead fellow Spartans, contain leaders who move their group forward, and regularly engage in leader development.
Minimum Requirement: Engage in a form of leadership development during the academic year. Examples include OLCE’s Leadership Challenge or OIE’s Safe Zone
CAP strives to ensure those within student groups are developing as “active citizens” or someone who engages within their community. Student groups who excel in this pillar actively engage within the Guilford County and Greensboro community, seek opportunities to serve alongside community members, and provide opportunities to explore their values, passions, and interests.
Minimum Requirement: Engage in at least 1 community service project per academic year
Co-curricular involvement compliments a strong academic career. It is proven that involvement in activities outside of the classroom helps students do better academically. Student groups who excel in this pillar are successful in the classroom and actively support their peers and greater community in the area of academic success.
Minimum Requirement: Average group GPA of 3.0
past award winners
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.