Criteria

The annual Chancellor’s Student Leadership Awards recognizes and rewards students for their remarkable contributions to the University and community. These students consistently demonstrate collaboration, leadership and resourcefulness, have a tremendous passion for Rutgers, and go outside of their normal responsibilities to achieve goals.

These awards are a great opportunity for you to acknowledge the amazing contributions of an individual student or student organization for their leadership, commitment, and pride for Rutgers and the community at large during the past year.

Eligible nominees must:

  • Have a strong academic standing with a cumulative 3.0 GPA* or higher.
  • Must be in good disciplinary standing and demonstrate a balance of academic and co-curricular excellence.
  • Must be currently enrolled at Rutgers University–New Brunswick as a full-time student. (RBHS students are not eligible unless they are enrolled in a dual degree with Rutgers-New Brunswick)
  • Must be a full-time undergraduate student at Rutgers-New Brunswick for Undergraduate Award Categories.
  • Student Organizations must be officially recognized by the university.
*Chancellor’s Leadership Award requires a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

If you have any questions, please contact nbstudentgala@echo.rutgers.edu.

Self-nominations will not be accepted.

Undergraduate Award Categories

Please note the selection committee may choose multiple honorees for each award category.

Chancellor’s Leadership Award

This award is given to a graduating senior who exemplifies excellence and truly embodies a commitment to leadership and involvement on campus and/or in the community.

The nominee shall demonstrate that they have served in multiple campus leadership positions throughout their academic journey, having left a positive and lasting impression on the community through initiating, leading or supporting projects of activism or advocacy for social justice, inclusion, and diversity in unique and innovative ways.

Paul Robeson Renaissance Award

In honor of one of the most distinguished alumni, accomplished scholar, athlete, actor, singer, global activist and quintessential 20th century Renaissance man, the recipient of this award shall possess extraordinary talent, commitment, and intellectual energy across a range of disciplines.

The nominee shall exemplify the principles to which Rutgers graduate Paul Robeson devoted his life: scholarship, humanitarianism, advocacy, athleticism, and artistry while practicing the inclusive approach to diversity that the University holds as a core value.

Champion of Teaching and Learning Award

This award is given to a student who has taken full advantage of their collegiate experience by engaging inside and outside of the classroom while creating learning opportunities for their peers.

The nominee shall demonstrate having made a strong impact in the area of teaching and learning while fostering learning opportunities through peer mentoring or leadership; dedicating time, resources, or efforts beyond what is expected of their position; and upholds the values of peer instruction such as student-centered active learning, an inclusive and safe learning environment, and a well-developed pedagogical approach to peer instruction.  

Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award

This award is given to a student who has committed their University experience by encouraging social justice, inclusion, and appreciation for the myriad of distinct and extraordinary perspectives within the Rutgers community.

The nominee shall demonstrate a measurable impact or influence within the Rutgers and/or outside community on how they have shown commitment to a campaign, initiative, or program which clearly addressed a campus, local or global need.  This impact should contain how they left a positive and lasting impression on the community through initiating, leading or supporting projects of activism and advocacy for social justice, inclusion, and diversity in unique and innovative ways. 

Research Excellence Award

This award is given to a student who demonstrates high-quality research which exhibits critical thinking, analysis, and creativity.

The nominee shall demonstrate measurable evidence of academic enrichment outside of the classroom utilizing new methods of discovery and critical thinking skills. Evidence of their research being published, presented or recognized as influencing the Rutgers or outside community should also be indicated.

Student Staff Excellence Award

This award is given to a student staff member who exceeds job expectations, and displays exceptional and exemplary initiative, dedication, and service as a student employee.

The nominee shall demonstrate exceptional initiative, dedication, and service through measurable impacts they have made as a student employee. Such impacts may include significant contributions to the Rutgers or local communities, exceeding expectations while contributing to the work environment,  and why they would be recommended for professional advancement.  

Competitive Excellence Award

This award is given to a student who has achieved academic success and performed in competitive sport activities with dedication and exemplary character; leaving a positive and lasting impression on a community, team, or organization.

The nominee shall demonstrate evidence of measurable impact or influence to the Rutgers and/or local community while contributing to a welcoming and supportive environment.

Bridge Builder Award

A Student Organization may also be nominated for this award.

This award is given to an individual or student organization who has demonstrated collaborative initiatives across a variety of organizations (at least two) and activities with inspiring leadership that brings together stakeholders from across the university to create positive and substantial impact of change.

The nominee shall demonstrate  significant contributions to the Rutgers and/or the local communities through newly forged collaborative relationships between programs, units, departments,and/or community partners.

Spirit of Rutgers Award

A Student Organization may also be nominated for this award.

This award recognizes an individual or student organization that represents the values, traditions, and mission of Rutgers through their outstanding engagement, enthusiasm, spirit, and commitment to the campus community.

The nominee shall demonstrate evidence in having made significant contributions to the community as a positive ambassador to the university while working to increase pride among their peers.

Outstanding Service Award

A Student Organization may also be nominated for this award.

This award is given to an individual or student organization who enhances the quality of life at Rutgers and in the community through campus-based activities, service, philanthropy, and/or special activities on or off campus.

Nominee shall demonstrate evidence of having made significant contributions to the Rutgers and/or local community through a positive and lasting impact while initiating, leading or supporting philanthropic, service-learning, or charitable projects. They shall also demonstrate the commitment to a campaign, initiative, or program that clearly addresses a campus, local or global need.

Revolutionary Award

A Student Organization may also be nominated for this award.

This award recognizes a student leader or organization that demonstrates creativity, originality, ingenuity, and/or resourcefulness in addressing local and global issues.

The nominee will have served in multiple campus leadership positions while demonstrating a long-term impact on their organizations (e.g. multiple positions in one organization and demonstrative growth, or has held multiple positions in a variety of organizations). They will have shown commitment to a campaign, initiative, or program that clearly addresses a campus, local or global issue and provides high level of peer mentoring or leadership to fostering learning opportunities.

Student Group Nomination:  This group shall have demonstrated a commitment to advancing their student organization’s presence on campus through initiatives that support progress towards solving a local or global issue.

Graduate Award Categories

Chancellor’s Leadership Award

This award is given to a graduate student who exemplifies excellence and truly embodies a commitment to leadership and involvement on campus and/or in the community.

The nominee demonstrates that they have served in multiple campus leadership positions throughout their academic journey, having left a positive and lasting impression on the community through initiating, leading or supporting projects of activism or advocacy for social justice, inclusion, and diversity in unique and innovative ways.

Paul Robeson Renaissance Award

The recipient of this award will have shown commitment to human justice, activism, and the values of a global citizen.  Moreover, this leader possesses extraordinary and diverse talent and intellectual energy across a range of disciplines.

The nominee shall exemplify the principles to which Rutgers graduate, Paul Robeson, devoted his life: scholarship, humanitarianism, advocacy, athleticism, and artistry while practicing the inclusive approach to diversity that the University holds as a core value.