Excellence in Service

Recognizes a student for their commitment to community engagement through volunteer service. This recipient has been an avid volunteer during the academic year. Dedicated service (either in-person or virtual) through an on-going relationship with a community partner is encouraged.

Social Change Award

Recognizes a student that has demonstrated the desire to educate and support a particular community issue or cause in which they have significant interest. The nominee should have made the issue/cause an integral part of their college experience through efforts to build partnerships between students and UAB, or UAB and the community.

Commitment to UAB’s Caring Community

Recognizes a student who impactfully contributes to the development of a caring campus community. This nominee consistently demonstrates respect for others—treating others with dignity and consideration. Additionally, this student strives to engage in discussions, activities, service, etc. to understand the experiences of others for the betterment of their communities, individuals within those communities, and themselves.

Student Employee of the Year

Recognizes student who contribute invaluable service to UAB through a part-time employment role. This student employee is reliable and has initiative, leadership skills, and has left a lasting impact their office/department. *Nominees must be UAB work-study or UAB hourly student workers. Graduate assistants are not eligible. Nominees should have worked in role for at least three months.

Rising Star

Recognizes a freshman or sophomore student who is an active contributor to a UAB student organization. This student has also worked to enhance personal leadership skills within an organization on campus or in the community, has established co-curricular involvement at UAB, and exhibits the potential and desire for continued leadership within the university community.

Outstanding Graduate Student Leader

Recognizes a graduate student who has gone "above and beyond" striving to make lasting improvements to their organization and significant contributions to campus life at UAB. This student will have demonstrated strong leadership skills, made an impact on the UAB community, and have been involved in a variety of organizations and activities both on and off campus. This student has demonstrated outstanding leadership, devotion, creativity, participation, and energy in their activities within a student organization. *Nominees must have a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or above.

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader

Recognizes an undergraduate student who has gone "above and beyond" striving to make lasting improvements to their organization and significant contributions to campus life at UAB. This student will have demonstrated strong leadership skills, made an impact on the UAB community, and have been involved in a variety of organizations and activities both on and off campus. This student has demonstrated outstanding leadership, devotion, creativity, participation, and energy in their activities within a student organization. *Nominees must have a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or above.

Transfer Student of the Year

Recognizes a student who demonstrated a successful transition to the institution and has embraced involvement during their time at UAB. The recipient should have transferred 12 or more hours to UAB and completed 1 semester of study at UAB before nomination for this award.

Outstanding First-Generation Student

Recognizes a first-generation student who has excelled in academic and/or co-curricular activities. This student demonstrated resilience and adaptability while also demonstrating a commitment to campus engagement. To be eligible for this award, nominees must identify as first-generation (meaning their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have not completed a four-year college degree).