Student Leadership Awards
Our students are the leaders and best.
The annual Student Leadership Awards are a way to recognize Dearborn's Leaders & Best for their many accomplishments as campus leaders. There are a variety of awards and recognition certificates for individuals and student organizations. Join us annually each spring as we recognize students, organizations, and their supporting advisors and mentors who truly make a difference here at UM-Dearborn.
The 2025 Student Leadership Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 3rd at 5:00 pm in Kochoff Hall
Questions? Contact the Office of Student Life at 313-593-5390 or [email protected].
2024 Student Leadership Awards and Certification Recipients
2024 Group Award Winners:
Outstanding New Student Organization- Maize and Blue Crew
Outstanding Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion-Indian Graduate Students Association
Daniel E. Little Award for Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service-Eternal Light
Outstanding Student Organization Program- Google Developer Student Club
Outstanding Fraternity and Sorority Organization-Alpha Kappa Alpha
Outstanding Student Organization-Society of Women Engineers
2024 Individual Award Winners :
Distinguished Student Leader-Eejoy Lim, Muneer Elshaikh, Regina Arriola, Sheyla Paredones
Outstanding Student Organization Advisor-Jennifer Kowalczyk
Outstanding Student Employee-Madison Chervenak, Manasi Kulkarni
Daniel E. Little Award for Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service-Omkar Bhatkande
Outstanding Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion-Robyn Fletcher
Outstanding Success Advocate-JaNai' James
Outstanding First Generation Student-Karizma Melendez
Outstanding New Student- Ishita Desai, Zion Porter
Outstanding Fraternity and Sorority Life Member- Abigail Sarley
Arthur Kochoff Spirit of Lifelong Learning- John Jennings
2024 Certificate Winners:
Emerging Leader-Asil Khanafer, Mahhek Rathod, Nishanath Prabhu, and Rahul Chavan
Leadership Legacy- Amrit Minocha, Jakub Wittrock, and Rame Charara
Social Justice Advocate-Alyamamh Rahimee, Amrita Karwa
Commitment to Serve-Anna Wan Enn Tay, Ever Quezada, Victor Zertuche, and Zaynab Al-Akraa
Bridge Builder & Campus Connector-Gayathri Chava, Zoie Mink, and Rupinder Singh
Unsung Hero-Barbara Pryor, Bethany Slone, Fatima Ali, Robert Khzouz, and Sebastian Orozco
Group Award Descriptions
This award is presented to organizations that offer superior quality events/activities, organizational interaction, and support to the campus community. This group should support student life, maintain a dedicated membership, be active in campus-wide student life programs and initiatives as well as serve as a significant positive impact on campus life.
This award honors student organizations with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion through student life programming and positive interactions with other students, student organizations, faculty, and staff. Recipients should demonstrate ways they contribute to promoting an inclusive campus.
Awarded to a student group that has shown a deep commitment to creating positive change in their campus or home community.
This award is presented to a program or series coordinated by a student organization, which enhanced student life. Awarded programs should reach a broad audience and have campus-wide visibility.
This award, sponsored by UM-Dearborn Fraternity & Sorority Life is presented to organizations that exemplify the values and mission of their organization while creating a positive impact on campus, and within the larger Dearborn and Metro-Detroit communities.
This award is presented to organizations that offer superior quality events/activities, organizational interaction, and support to the campus community. This group should support student life, maintain a dedicated membership, be active in campus-wide student life programs and initiatives as well as serve as a significant positive impact on campus life.
Individual Award Descriptions
This prestigious award is presented to students with exceptional leadership experiences and qualities, demonstrated both on campus and in the community. Students who earn this award have been involved in a variety of organizations, held significant leadership roles or positions, or been involved in numerous projects across campus that demonstrate collaboration and community.
This award is presented to an advisor who has had a positive impact on a student organization and on campus. This individual should demonstrate strong advising skills and be readily available to students. Additionally, this person should provide a significant level of support and sensitivity to individual and organizational needs.
Awarded to an outstanding student employee in any department on campus. The employee must demonstrate a willingness to go above and beyond expectations, be a team player, and assist co-workers. Student Interns may be considered for this award.
Awarded to a student, individually or as part of a group, who has shown a deep commitment to creating positive change in their campus or home community.
This award honors student leaders with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion through student life programming and positive interactions with other students, faculty, and staff. Recipients should be involved in programs or services which aim to promote an inclusive and safe campus.
This award is given to a faculty or staff member who has gone above and beyond to advocate for students and their success as Dearborn Wolverines.
This award is given to a successful student who is among the first in their families to go to college and has shown advocacy and been a proponent for change within the first-gen community at UM-Dearborn.
This award recognizes a student, or students, in their first year on campus who has shown a strong commitment to success, the university mission, and has already begun to make a substantial impact on campus.
This award recognizes a student who is a member of Fraternity & Sorority Life. This student shows commitment to the success and mission of their chapter. The individual has made a substantial impact on campus and the Greek community.
This award recognizes the achievements and contributions of students who have returned to their academic journey after many years away. It recognizes students who juggle multiple roles, overcome obstacles, and have academically succeeded all while pursuing their undergraduate degree.
Certificate Descriptions
Typically awarded to a first or second-year student, this certificate recognizes students whose actions have been a major contribution to increasing teamwork, effectiveness, and achievement in the UM-Dearborn community.
Typically awarded to an upper-level student, this certificate recognizes a student leader whose long-term dedication and commitment to the community of UM-Dearborn is undeniable. This award recognizes students who have left a lasting impression as dynamic student leader. Examples include serving as a long-standing member of a student organization, may continuously help integrate new students as a volunteer or orientation leader, etc.
This certificate recognizes an individua for their demonstrated commitment to issues of diversity and social justice at UM-Dearborn and in the local community.
Recognizes a student who has engaged in numerous volunteer experiences that have helped to make a positive difference in the community.
The Bridge Builder & Campus Connector award recognizes students who have worked to establish or support connections between student groups or individuals. The areas of collaboration can include collaborative events, exploration of diverse cultures, education about issues that have challenged the campus, or other multicultural offerings.
The Unsung Hero award recognizes students who have positively influenced a program or organization from behind the scenes with a positive attitude, a willingness to help in whatever capacity necessary, and a commitment to excellence.