The Pillars of Leadership Awards

• This award honors a student who has consistently demonstrated a commitment to uplifting others and enriching the campus community through positivity, compassion and leadership. This student leads by example, fosters a positive impact across the campus community, and demonstrates commitment to the well-being of others to create a more supportive, inclusive and uplifting environment.  The Dean of Students Positive Impact Award recognizes this student’s outstanding contributions and the lasting difference they have made on the campus.
• All students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible.

• This award honors two students completing their undergraduate studies who have demonstrated a philosophy of servant leadership through their service and investment in the growth and development of others. These students empower their peers and are motivated to lead from a desire to serve others.
  
• Students must be eligible for graduation in May 2026, December 2026, or January 2027. 
  

• This award celebrates the exceptional accomplishments of a first-year or second-year student who has demonstrated a remarkable ability to lead and inspire others within the campus community. A recipient should exemplify outstanding leadership qualities, such as vision, creativity, resilience, and effective communication skills, and leverage these skills to promote and advocate for the needs and interests of diverse communities. Their leadership has inspired positive change, encouraged collaboration, and cultivated a sense of belonging among their peers and the broader campus community.
• Only first-year or second-year undergraduate students are eligible.
  

• This award recognizes the exceptional achievements of a junior or senior student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities through their active engagement and participation in various campus activities and initiatives. A recipient should represent the pinnacle of leadership excellence on campus, embodying the qualities of vision, inspiration, collaboration, and commitment to diversity, social justice, and advocacy. Their exceptional achievements and leadership qualities serve as an inspiration to the entire campus community, and their contributions have made a lasting impact on the campus and the wider community.
• Only third-year or fourth-year undergraduate students are eligible.
  

• The Innovative Leadership Award celebrates the exceptional achievements of two student leaders that have demonstrated remarkable creativity, originality, and ingenuity in developing and implementing an innovative program or event that has made a significant impact on the campus community. A recipient should demonstrate a commitment to thinking outside the box and finding new and innovative ways to address complex challenges and opportunities faced by the University at Buffalo. Their remarkable achievements serve as an inspiration to the entire campus community, demonstrating the importance of innovation, collaboration, and leadership in creating positive change and promoting a culture of excellence at the University at Buffalo.
• All students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible.
  

• This award honors one undergraduate and one graduate student who have given their time and energy to strengthen partnerships between UB and the Buffalo community. These students have demonstrated a deep commitment to mutually beneficial collaborations with local nonprofit organizations that address community issues through asset-based community development initiatives.
  
• All students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible.

• This award is given to students within the UB Greek community in recognition of their leadership skills, academic accomplishments, dedication and service to the UB Greek, University and Western New York communities.
  
• Must be a member of a university-recognized Greek-letter organization and be in good standing with their chapter and the university.

• The Service Above Self Award recognizes one student and one faculty or staff member that have shown exceptional commitment and dedication to promoting mental health services and advocacy on campus. Recipients will have been instrumental in promoting and inspiring positive change in mental health stigma, engaging and educating the university community to promote responsibility in mentally positive behaviors. Their outstanding leadership, outreach, and dedication to cultivating a culture of connectedness and belonging serve as an inspiration to the entire university community, demonstrating the importance of mental health advocacy and services in creating a supportive and inclusive campus environment.
• All students (undergraduate and graduate) and faculty/staff are eligible.  
  

• This award recognizes a member of the executive board of a recognized student organization that has demonstrated exemplary leadership in fulfilling the goals of their organization. This individual has positively impacted the organization, serving as a model to their organization members and UB community.
• Must have held a position on their student organization's executive board within the last academic year.

• This award goes to one student completing their undergraduate studies and one student completing their graduate studies who are devoted to the UB community and strive to make it better for all students. These students are active on campus and have taken advantage of a wide range of opportunities. Beyond benefiting from a high level of involvement, these students have made sure that they have made a lasting impact on their peers and upon UB. Their spirited involvement is often a catalyst for others to become more engaged and upon graduating, their absence is widely felt. This student is the epitome of “True Blue”.
• All students (undergraduate and graduate) can be nominated as long as they are eligible for graduation in May 2026, December 2026, or January 2027. 

• This award honors one undergraduate and one graduate student that have demonstrated compassion, perseverance, courage, and leadership by engaging in the difficult work of fostering human dignity and common humanity through projects, programs, initiatives, and visions that promote cross-cultural learning, interaction, and education.
  
• All students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible.

• This award honors a student who has consistently demonstrated a commitment to uplifting others and enriching the campus community through positivity, compassion and leadership. This student leads by example, fosters a positive impact across the campus community, and demonstrates commitment to the well-being of others to create a more supportive, inclusive and uplifting environment.  The Dean of Students Positive Impact Award recognizes this student’s outstanding contributions and the lasting difference they have made on the campus.
• All students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible.

• The Innovative Leadership Award celebrates the exceptional achievements of two student leaders that have demonstrated remarkable creativity, originality, and ingenuity in developing and implementing an innovative program or event that has made a significant impact on the campus community. A recipient should demonstrate a commitment to thinking outside the box and finding new and innovative ways to address complex challenges and opportunities faced by the University at Buffalo. Their remarkable achievements serve as an inspiration to the entire campus community, demonstrating the importance of innovation, collaboration, and leadership in creating positive change and promoting a culture of excellence at the University at Buffalo.
• All students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible.

• This award honors one undergraduate and one graduate student that have given their time and energy to strengthen partnerships between UB and the Buffalo community. These students have demonstrated a deep commitment to mutually beneficial collaborations with local nonprofit organizations that address community issues through asset-based community development initiatives.
  
• All students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible.

• The Service Above Self Award recognizes one student and one faculty or staff member that have shown exceptional commitment and dedication to promoting mental health services and advocacy on campus. Recipients will have been instrumental in promoting and inspiring positive change in mental health stigma, engaging and educating the university community to promote responsibility in mentally positive behaviors. Their outstanding leadership, outreach, and dedication to cultivating a culture of connectedness and belonging serve as an inspiration to the entire university community, demonstrating the importance of mental health advocacy and services in creating a supportive and inclusive campus environment.
• All students (undergraduate and graduate) and faculty/staff are eligible.  

• This award recognizes a member of the executive board of a recognized student organization that has demonstrated exemplary leadership in fulfilling the goals of their organization. This individual has positively impacted the organization, serving as a model to their organization members and UB community.
  
• Must have held a position on their student organization's executive board within the last academic year.

• This award goes to one student completing their undergraduate studies and one student completing their graduate studies who are devoted to the UB community and strive to make it better for all students. These students are active on campus and have taken advantage of a wide range of opportunities. Beyond benefiting from a high level of involvement, these students have made sure that they have made a lasting impact on their peers and upon UB. Their spirited involvement is often a catalyst for others to become more engaged and upon graduating, their absence is widely felt. This student is the epitome of “True Blue”.
  
• All students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible.

• This award honors one undergraduate and one graduate student that have demonstrated compassion, perseverance, courage, and leadership by engaging in the difficult work of fostering human dignity and common humanity through projects, programs, initiatives, and visions that promote cross-cultural learning, interaction, and education.
  
• All students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible.

• These 4 awards honor faculty, professional staff members, and graduate assistants/interns who have shown an outstanding commitment to mentoring, developing, supporting, and positively impacting undergraduate and graduate students through their participation, support, and active engagement. 
• Graduate Students will hold a current Graduate Assistantship or Graduate Internship at the University at Buffalo 
• New Faculty/Professional Staff Members will have 0-5 years of experience in their field
• Mid-Level Faculty/Professional Staff Members will have 5-10 years of experience in their field
• Senior Level Faculty/Professional Staff Members will have 10+ years of experience in their field

• The Service Above Self Award recognizes one student and one faculty or staff member that have shown exceptional commitment and dedication to promoting mental health services and advocacy on campus. Recipients will have been instrumental in promoting and inspiring positive change in mental health stigma, engaging and educating the university community to promote responsibility in mentally positive behaviors. Their outstanding leadership, outreach, and dedication to cultivating a culture of connectedness and belonging serve as an inspiration to the entire university community, demonstrating the importance of mental health advocacy and services in creating a supportive and inclusive campus environment.
• All students (undergraduate and graduate) and faculty/staff are eligible.  

• This award goes to a UB employee, serving as an organization advisor, that showed an estimable dedication to the well-being of the organization and its members. This advisor constantly goes above and beyond in their role as the organization advisor, behaving as a guide and mentor for the students and demonstrating a strong commitment to furthering the mission and values of the organization.
  
• Must have served as an organization's advisor within the last academic year.

• This award honors and celebrates a campus and community partnership that not only makes an exceptional impact on the local community but also creates a space for learning through collaboration with University at Buffalo students, staff, and faculty.
  

Please note that only recognized student organizations and organizations that have not been found in violation of any University policies during the past academic year are eligible to win student organization awards.

• This award honors a newly recognized student organization that was chartered during the current academic year. The winning organization has put forth the effort to enhance the UB community and has maintained strong and consistent operations and has already made an impact on the UB community through its mission and values.
  
• The university-recognized student organization must have been newly founded within the last academic year.

• This award is presented to a recognized student organization that has demonstrated a significant impact in furthering its purpose through contribution to the University at Buffalo. This award recognizes the student organization that embodies the UB spirit through its commitment to leadership development, collaboration among groups, and efforts to enhance the quality of campus life at UB. Furthermore, this club has taken specific actions, including creating programs or leading initiatives, that have made a positive impact on the UB community. This award honors one recognized student organization that has enhanced the University, student community, the development of their organization members, and has continued to be reputable and have a strong presence on UB’s campus.
  
• All university-recognized student organizations are eligible.

• This award is presented to the recognized student organizations that planned and provided the most outstanding co-sponsored program that positively impacted students on campus and demonstrated collaboration and teamwork among organizations.
  
• All university-recognized student organizations are eligible.

• This award acknowledges a recognized student organization that takes what its members learn in the classroom and applies the knowledge and skills to assist others in the UB or expanded community. This organization exemplifies experiential learning through the informed acts of serving others.
  
• All university-recognized student organizations are eligible.

This recognition opportunity celebrates the exceptional achievements of students who have invested in their personal and professional growth and development as emerging leaders through Leadership House. They have demonstrated a deep understanding of the importance of leadership, teamwork, and collaboration in achieving shared goals, and they have shown a commitment to making a positive impact on their communities.  
 
Their accomplishments serve as an inspiration to their peers, demonstrating the importance of leadership development and the transformative power of investing in one's own growth and development. 

The award recognizes the 2024-2025 graduates of the Student Engagement Peer Mentor and Event Intern groups for their dedication and service to the Student Engagement Office and the University at Buffalo. They have volunteered to work over 100 hours this academic year to serve as peer mentors, conference facilitators, workshop presenters, and administrators for our micro-credential program, among other things.  They have encouraged UB students to get involved and helped them make the most of their UB experience, all while building out their resumes. 

A special thank you to our ambassadors for their hard work and commitment to Student Engagement and to making the UB community a better place. 

This award recognizes students who have performed and tracked 500 hours of community service during their time as UB students. These students have demonstrated a strong commitment to giving back to their community. Through their volunteer work, these students have made a significant positive impact on the lives of others and have gained valuable skills and experiences that will serve them well in their future endeavors. Their dedication and hard work are a testament to the values of the university and the importance of service to others.

This recognition opportunity celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of students who have successfully completed a comprehensive leadership development program designed to help them discover and develop their full leadership potential. Through the Virtual Leadership Academy, students have learned what it means to be a leader and how to leverage their unique strengths and capabilities to make a positive impact on their communities.

These students have demonstrated a deep commitment to their own growth and development as emerging leaders and have shown a willingness to invest their time, energy, and resources in achieving their full potential.