Student Organization Awards

Each year, Loyola recognizes the outstanding contributions of student organizations and student leaders through the Student Organization Awards. These awards highlight the successful programs, achievements, and community-building efforts the student organizations community contribute to the Loyola experience. The work of student organizations’ leaders is essential in shaping the community, and we celebrate the enthusiasm, passion, and dedication they bring to their roles and our community. Nominations for the 2025 Student Organization Awards will be open on LUCommunity from Monday, February 17th to Tuesday, March 11th at noon (12pm). 

Awards recipients and nominees will be celebrated at the Student Organization Awards Ceremony. The 2025 Student Organization Awards Ceremony will take place on Monday, April 7th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in Damen MPR. Please note the ceremony is invite-only. Campus Activities Network (CAN) will share more information with the student organizations community via email. View the 2025 SOAC Program Book here!

If you have any questions regarding the nomination and/or the award ceremony, please email Campus Activities Network (CAN) at can@luc.edu.

Nomination Process:

• Nominations are open on LUCommunity from Monday, February 17th to Tuesday, March 11th at noon (12pm). 

• Nomination forms are divided into three award types: Overall Awards, Organization Category Awards, and Individual/Group Awards. There are different awards in each type of award, each recognizing different aspects of excellence. More details, including the nomination link, can be found below. 

• Each award will have different eligibility criteria and are designed to highlight different aspects of an outstanding organization or student leader. Please research the award description and determine which category best aligns with the nominee’s accomplishments, be intentional with the nominations, and verify that the nominee meets all qualifications and criteria for the chosen award. 

• As you work on the nomination form, there will be prompts guiding you for a compelling nomination submission. Please read the prompt closely, articulate the nominee’s significant contributions, highlight specific examples where possible, all within the provided word limits. Any words beyond the word limits will not be considered as part of the submission. 

• Carefully proofread the nomination package for accuracy and ensure it effectively communicates the nominee’s exceptional qualities. 

• Submit the nomination application by the designated deadline (Tuesday, March 11th at noon) through the appropriate nomination form on LUCommunity. Nomination form will be hyperlinked below based on the award type. 

Please note the following when submitting nominations: 

• Students can self-nominate, and multiple nominations can be submitted for the same organization, though only the first nomination will be considered.  

• An organization or individual can be nominated for more than one award; however, separate nomination forms are required for each award type. 

• Students/organizations are not required to nominate for every award in the selected type of award once you are on the form. Select only the specific awards you wish to nominate for. 

• Carefully read the instructions on each nomination form to ensure a successful submission. 

• All nominations must be submitted via LUCommunity within the Center for Student Engagement portal, within the designated deadline.  

• By submitting the nomination, you are consenting to have the Center for Student Engagement request and check student conduct records. Student conduct records are maintained by the Student Rights, Responsibilities & Conflict Resolution team in the Office of the Dean of Students. 

Eligibility:

• All LUC students, faculty, and staff are eligible to submit nomination(s). We accept self-nominations as well.   

• Only nominees in good standing with the Center for Student Engagement and the University are eligible to receive awards. 

• For event/programming related award, nominated event/programming are required to be in alignment with all relevant student organization policies, procedures, and University policies. 

• Recipients of last years' awards are not eligible for the same award again. Last year’s awardees can be found at the end of this page.  

Important Dates:

• Nomination Period: Monday, February 17th to Tuesday, March 11th at noon (12pm). 
• Award Ceremony: Monday, April 7th, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Damen MPR (Invite-Only) 

Organization Category Awards

These awards recognize the achievements of a student organization within a specific category, identified during registration. Organizations are asked to demonstrate what makes their group stand out amongst their peers. Organizations may self-nominate for this award and are only able to nominate for one category. 

Accepting nominations from Monday, February 17th to Tuesday, March 11th at noon (12pm) here. 

• Outstanding Academic/Honorary Organization

Celebrates an organization that demonstrates how their organization's academic emphasis provides a co-curricular learning beyond the classroom for students to engage with.  

• Outstanding Cultural/Diversity Organization

Celebrates an organization that demonstrates how their organization's cultural identity helps foster an inclusive environment with an emphasis on increasing understanding, acceptance, and tolerance among the Loyola community; as well as an embrace of their unique identity on through diverse experiences.   

• Outstanding Hobby/Special Interest Organization

Celebrates an organization that demonstrates how their organization's focus on building community through positive interaction with their peers in the community, provides value to the Loyola community.   

• Outstanding Media Organization

Celebrates an organization that demonstrates how their publication/production/performances have contributed to the overall student experience, with a focus on building community through positive interaction and creative media. 

• Outstanding Political/Advocacy Organization

Celebrates an organization that demonstrates how their organization continues to strive towards civic engagement and empowers students to be involved in the local, national, and global community.  

• Outstanding Religious/Spiritual Organization

Celebrates an organization that demonstrates how their organization allows students to engage in interfaith dialogue with an emphasis on increasing understanding, acceptance, and tolerance among the Loyola community; or encourages students to participate in service activities geared towards active citizenship.  

• Outstanding Service Organization

Celebrates an organization that demonstrates how their organization encourages students to participate in service activities geared towards active citizenship. 

• Outstanding Sponsored Student Organization

Celebrates a Sponsored Student Organization (SSO) that demonstrates consistent activity, creativity, and initiative; has made meaningful contributions to the campus community; and has had a significant impact on the quality of the student experience here at Loyola throughout the academic year.  

Individual & Group Awards

These awards recognize the achievements of individuals or a group of students from the student organization community. Recipients are able to showcase how they have gone above and beyond for their organization and the Loyola community. Awards in this group are open to both Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and Sponsored Student Organizations (SSOs). Individuals may self-nominate for these awards and be eligible to multiple awards if criteria are met. 

Accepting nominations from Monday, February 17th to Tuesday, March 11th at noon (12pm) here. 

• Outstanding SSO Advisor

Celebrates a Loyola employee who has acted as an advisor for a Sponsored Student Organization (SSO) for at least two consecutive semesters, has strong advising skills while establishing a positive impact on that student organization and the community, and has demonstrated a dedicated interest in the development of student organization leaders.   

• Outstanding RSO Advisor

Celebrates a Loyola employee who has acted as an advisor for a Registered Student Organization (RSO) for at least two consecutive semesters, has strong advising skills while establishing a positive impact on that student organization and the community, and has demonstrated a dedicated interest in the development of student organization leaders. 

• Outstanding Executive Board

Celebrates a team of student organization executive leaders who embody the principles of teamwork, collaboration, effectiveness, and support for their student organization. The executive board recognized will have made outstanding contributions to the overall organizational management of their organization while adhering to student organization expectations and advancing the cause of their mission within Loyola’s campus community. 

• Outstanding New Officer of the Year

Celebrates a student who is new to the three-core e-board positions (President, Treasurer, and CAN Representative) for any organization within the past two academic year. Despite being new to the role, they have demonstrated a commitment to service, involvement, and academic excellence within the campus community. They have exemplified their ability to transform future communities and their willingness to work for a better and just world. Nominees must be listed as an officer/e-board member on their organization's LUCommunity portal. 

• Spirit of Loyola

Celebrates an undergraduate student (member or officer of an organization) who embodies integrity, faith, leadership and passion for learning. This person reflects the Jesuit value of Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, To the greater glory of God, in the work, they provide for their organization and Loyola community. This student's commitment to social justice, servant leadership, and academic excellence captures the Spirit of Loyola.

Overall Awards

These awards recognize the remarkable accomplishments of a student organization through service to others, membership, activities, and programs. Individuals and organizations may self-nominate for these awards and be eligible to multiple awards if criteria are met. 

Accepting nominations from Monday, February 17th to Tuesday, March 11th at noon (12pm) here. 

• Outstanding Event of the Year

Celebrates an exceptional event hosted by student organization(s) that best exemplifies the mission and value of the organization(s) and Loyola University Chicago during the past year. The organization(s) should have successfully navigated the event planning process, showed critical thinking and problem-solving skills, enriched the co-curricular experience of LUC students, and had a significant impact on the campus community. An organization can only be nominated for one event. 

• Outstanding Collaborator

Celebrates a student organization's ongoing care and contribution to the Loyola University Chicago community. Recipient of this award demonstrates the ability to actively and intentionally collaborates with other campus entities (i.e., campus departments and student organizations) to achieve shared goals, to develop and maintain respective relationships of trust and care, and to adjust plans and strategies as needed to meet changing circumstances. Through effective communication within the organization and with other campus entities, collaborations for and beyond event, and mutual respect in their operations, this organization has helped create a more connected and engaged campus community. 

• Outstanding New Organization

Celebrates a Registered Student Organization that was founded in the last two academic years. Recipient of this award demonstrates a commitment to the growth of their organization, to the development and advancement of its members, with a strong understanding of the connection between their mission and the mission of the University and is noticeably active on campus.

• Organization of the Year

Celebrates a Registered Student Organization that has gone above and beyond in their engagement on campus, campus awareness efforts, inclusivity, building lasting connections with other campus entities, and upholding Jesuit values. Recipient of this award demonstrates a commitment to the overall university community (i.e., students, staff, faculty, programs), to the development and advancement of its members, to the organization mission and the mission of the University and is noticeably active on campus. 

Please see below for the previous award recipients!

Organization Category Awards

Outstanding Academic/Honorary Organization

• 2024 - American Medical Student Association
• 2023 - Pre-Law Society

Outstanding Cultural/Diversity Organization

• 2024 - Polish Student Alliance
• 2023 - Asian Students in Action

Outstanding Hobby/Special Interest Organization

• 2024 - Net Impact: Sustainable Business Society
• 2023 - Students for Sustainable Energy Through Anaerobic Digestion

Outstanding Media Organization

• 2024 - The Photography Club
• 2023 - Diminuendo

Outstanding Political/Advocacy Organization

• 2024 - Students with Disabilities Coalition
• 2023 - Students for Justice in Palestine

Outstanding Religious/Spiritual Organization

• 2024 - Sikh Student Organization
• 2023 - Muslim Students' Association

Outstanding Service Organization

• 2024 - Heart for the Unhoused Chicago
• 2023 - Friends of MSF

Outstanding Sponsored Student Organization

• 2024 - Department of Programming
• 2023 - Brain Exercise Initiative

Individual/Group Awards

Outstanding SSO Advisor

• 2024 - Dr. Stephanie Grella, Loyola Learning and Memory Association & Loyola Women in Neuroscience Association
• 2023 - Brandon Hinton, LUC Residence Hall Association

Outstanding RSO Advisor

• 2024 - Dr. Eilene Edejer, Asian Students in Action
• 2023 - Dr. Daniel Becker, Invisible Illness Awareness at Loyola (Chicago)

Outstanding Executive Board

• 2024 - Best Buddies
• 2023 - Asian Students in Action

Outstanding New Officer of the Year

• 2024 - Ashleigh Carrera, Criminal Justice Organization
• 2023 - Mereya Riopedre, Food Recovery Network

Spirit of Loyola

• 2024 - Brigitte Cueter, Commuter Student Life, Quinlan Ambassadors, Kapwa, Delta Sigma Pi, Welcome Week Leader
• 2023 - Stephanie Miller, Invisible Illness Awareness at Loyola (Chicago)

Overall Awards

Outstanding Event of the Year

• 2024 - Winter in Syria, hosted by Friends of MSF, Students Organization for Syria, & American Medical Student Association
• 2023 - Qur'an & Nasheed Night, hosted by Muslim Students' Association

Outstanding New Organization

• 2024 - Letters of Love
• 2023 - Student Veterans of America 

Organization of the Year

• 2024 - Criminal Justice Organization
• 2023 - Food Recovery Network