Rising Star Award
New Georgia State University students provide an infusion of energy into organizations and the campus community. The continued development and success of any organization is dependent upon the smooth transition of new members into leadership roles. 

Criteria:

• Undergraduate freshman or sophomore status with fewer than 60 total credit hours
• Works to enhance personal leadership skills within an organization on campus or in the community
• Established extracurricular involvement at Georgia State University
• Exhibits the potential and desire for continued leadership within the university community

Nominations can be submitted via this PIN Form between January 31 - March 14.

Past Award Winners: 
2023-24 Yemi Mahmood and Beatriz Ramirez

2022-23 Jordan Madden, Salem Mutata

The Royal Flame Leadership Award is given to students who are unparalleled in their campus involvement and commitment to various organizations at Georgia State. This award is presented to students with junior, senior, or graduate level status who demonstrate a history of leadership on campus and in the community.

Criteria

• Junior or senior status with more than 60 credit hours or graduate student status with more than 18 credit hours
• Minimum 2.5 GPA while enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester
• Demonstrates a history of progressive leadership positions on campus and in the community
• Leadership involvement positively impacts the Georgia State University community, including students, staff and organizations
• Recognizes student and/or community needs and affects positive change
• Committed to the university community and demonstrates potential for leadership beyond Georgia State in the future

Nominations can be submitted via this PIN Form between January 31 - March 14.

Past Award Winners:
2023-24 Wendy Carvalho, Kennedy Deveaux, Eanna Walker

2022-23 Summer Clark, Chad Curtis, Sarah O’Brien

This award recognizes hourly undergraduate student employees in the Division of Student Success who go above and beyond in their work duties, showcasing dedication, reliability, and positive impact on their department.

Criteria:

• Award recipients are selected based on the quality of the nomination, not the quantity of nominations they receive.
• Nominations selected for an award will provide specific details about the student nominee and address how they have exceeded expectations and demonstrated an exceptional quality of work. Nominees are evaluated on their work performance, and acquisition and use of the 8 College-to-Career Skills: Career & Self Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Equity & Inclusion, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Technology.

Nominations can be submitted via this PIN Form between January 31 - March 14.

This is a new award for 2025.

This award recognizes graduate administrative assistants within Student Success who go above and beyond in their work duties, showcasing dedication, reliability, and positive impact on their department.

Criteria:

• Award recipients are selected based on the quality of the nomination, and not on the quantity of nominations they receive.
• Nominations selected for an award will provide specific details about the student nominee and address how they have exceeded expectations and demonstrated an exceptional quality of work. Nominees are evaluated on their work performance and acquisition and use of the 8 College-to-Career Skills: Career & Self Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Equity & Inclusion, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Technology.

Nominations can be submitted via this PIN Form between January 31 - March 14.

This is a new award for 2025.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award is presented to an exemplary student (undergraduate or graduate) who embodies and exemplifies the characteristics promoted by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — "a vision of peace, persistence in purpose, and inspirational action. The recipient should have demonstrated an outstanding ability to promote belonging and inclusion at Georgia State University and/or in the community at large.

Criteria:

• Must be in good academic and conduct standing with the Dean of Students office
• Students must be nominated by a peer, staff, or faculty member.

Nominations can be submitted via this PIN Form between January 31 and March 14, 2025.

Past Award Winners:
2023-24 Naomi Garcia- Hector
2022-23 Salem Mutata

The Fraternity & Sorority Advisor of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding service and commitment of a faculty, staff, or off-campus advisor to a recognized Fraternity and Sorority Life student organization. Only one individual per chapter may be nominated.

Criteria:

• Advising role between April and March of the current academic year
• Advisor for a registered Fraternity and Sorority Life student organization

Nominations can be submitted via this PIN Form between January 31 and March 14, 2025.

Past Award Winners:
2023-24 Samantha Harvel, Advisor to Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.
2022-23 Talithia Davis, Advisor to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.  

The Fraternity and Sorority Life New Member of the Year recognizes a student in a registered Fraternity and Sorority Life organization during their first year as a member of the organization.

Criteria:

• A Georgia State University cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• An active member in good standing within their respective organization
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in their organization
• Uphold the values and ideals of fraternity/sorority life
• Individuals must have been initiated in the 2024 calendar year or Spring of 2025.

Nominations can be submitted via this PIN Form between January 31 and March 14, 2025.

Past Award Winners:
2023-2024 Cory Christian of Zeta Mu chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated

2022-2023 Bryan Torres of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. 

The Fraternity and Sorority Life Person of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding member of the Fraternity and Sorority Life community who exemplifies the values and ideals of fraternal/sorority life.

Criteria:

Nominations can be submitted via this PIN form between January 31 and March 14, 2025.

Award Winners:
2023-24 Award Recipient: Edward Garcia

2022-23 Mykaila Jackson of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. 

The Kenneth M. England Scholarship is awarded to a member of the Fraternity & Sorority Life Community that has promoted positive fraternal values and harmony. The scholarship is for the upcoming academic year.

Criteria:

• Georgia State University cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Completion of 45 credit hours
• An active member in good standing of a Fraternity and Sorority student organization
• Demonstrated service and leadership to the Fraternity and Sorority Life community, Georgia State University, and greater Atlanta area

Nominations can be submitted via this PIN Form between January 31 - March 14, 2025.

Award Winners:
2023-24 Basil Hibbert III, Zeta Mu chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated

2023-24 Kameron Wells, Pi Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated

Ascension Award
The Ascension Award celebrates a student whose exceptional contributions have elevated the Recreational Services Department to new heights. This honor is bestowed upon a leader who exemplifies excellence in customer service and demonstrates unwavering dedication to enhancing the department's operations. Students are nominated by students and staff and winners are selected by full-time staff.

Award Winners:
2023-24 Amiri Hutchinson, Facilities Supervisor Team Lead

Legacy Award
The Legacy Award honors a graduate assistant who has made a lasting impact and left an indelible mark on the Recreational Services department. This award celebrates their outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment. Students are nominated by students and staff and winners are selected by full-time staff.

Award Winners:
2023-2024 Alayah Washington, Competitive Sports Graduate Assistant

Carole A. Golder Memorial Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial support to undergraduate students at Georgia State University who are actively involved as volunteer committee members or stipended student leaders or hourly student employees in the Division of Student Success. Carole Golder embodied the spirit of service. Dedicating her life to students and the organizations she joyously was a part of not only at Georgia State, but colleges around the country. This scholarship serves as her continued dedication to supporting students who embody that same dedication to service and the organizations that they are a part of.

Criteria:

• Be in good academic standing at Georgia State University
• Be a matriculating sophomore or junior
• Have a current 2.50 or better GPA
• Be a volunteer committee member or stipended student leader or an hourly student employee in the Division of Student Success.
• The donor has expressed a preference that the annual scholarship be awarded to students that are volunteer committee members or stipended student leaders of Spotlight Programs Board or Panther Activities Council or hourly student employees of the Student Center and/or is interested in pursuing a career associated with Student Affairs roles within higher education.

Nomination Information: Applications for Spring 2025 are available via Academic Works February 1 - 15, 2025.

Scholarship Winners:
2023-24 Breanna Jones, an international student from Jamaica, majoring in Finance at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business. She previously served as the Entertainment and Traditions Director of the Panther Activities Council on the Clarkston campus and transitioned to the Atlanta campus where she serves as a student assistant for the Georgia State University Foundation.

2023 Ruth Nure
2022 Janet Isabor
2021 Valerie Lambo
2020 Vanessa Edopka
2019 Aniya Jones
2018 Joshua Akinola-King
2017 Aaron Lightner

Tommy Young Outstanding Service Award
This award recognizes outstanding Student Center student employee achievement. As the team identified various traits and distinguishing characteristics that they felt were important to acknowledge, the response to almost every attribute was, “…yes, just like Tommy Young,” a longtime employee of the Student Center.

Criteria:

• Outstanding commitment to the success of the Student Center
• Tireless devotion to “making things happen”
• Regularly going beyond the call of duty
• Demonstrate a high level of accountability
• Exhibit a devotion to customer service

Nominations can be submitted via this PIN form between January 31 - March 14.

Award Winners:
2023-24 Ezra Adams, Building Manager

2021-22 Maia Bliss, Building Manager
2020-21 Kaija Boddie, Building Manager
2018-19 Phoua Thao, Student Center Administrative Office Assistant

Registered Student Organization Advisors are often the unsung heroes of campus organizations.  They are the faculty and staff members who volunteer their time and energy to ensure the success of our students, year after year. Whether giving helpful advice or staying late for social events, advisors are an invaluable resource to the Georgia State community. 

Criteria:

• Serves as a volunteer, unpaid advisor to a registered student organization from July to April of the current academic year
• Contributes to the development of members and the organization's goals and/or purpose
• Demonstrates genuine concern for members and support for organizational planning and events
• Actively attends and participates in organization functions
• Current Georgia State University faculty or staff member

Nominations can be submitted via this PIN Form between January 31 and March 14, 2025.

Award Winners:
2023-24 Chrissonia McCall, Advisor to the Caribbean Student Association
2022-23 Kirk Johnson, Advisor to the Lead Team

The Lead from the Heart Award is given to someone who epitomizes warmth and compassion throughout the orientation season. They are recognized as the orientation leader who consistently provide exceptional service to participants, including incoming students, guests, and campus partners. Their unwavering dedication to hospitality and kindness has left a lasting impact, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all involved. This award is voted on the Orientation Leader team.

Award Winners:
2024-25 Wallace Whitaker
2023-24 Wallace Whitaker

The Orientation Leader of the Year Award is given to someone who is a beacon of exemplary leadership and support during the orientation season. Their dedication to guiding and empowering their team is instrumental in fostering a cohesive and successful orientation season.  This award was voted on by SOFE full-time staff.

Award Winners:
2024-25 Yadira Roman Valladares
2023-24 Agatha Joseph

The Team Choice Award is presented to someone who embodies the essence of exceptional teamwork and positivity. This award celebrates an orientation leader who has consistently demonstrated outstanding support and collaboration throughout the demanding season. They serve as an inspiring example of dedication and camaraderie, uplifting the team and contributing to the overall success of the program. This award is voted on by the Orientation Leader team.

Award Winners:
2024-025 Bolu Owolabi
2023-24 Taisia Bethel

Shanel M. Little Service Award

• This award is dedicated in honor of the two years Shanel Little served University Housing as a Resident Assistant.  Shanel had light and energy that were unforgettable. This award recognizes a student staff member who embodies servant leadership through their service to fellow staff members, residents and the larger community with a sincere smile and positive determination.

Marvin Mahan Commitment to Excellence Award

• The Commitment to Excellence Award honors Mr. Marvin Mahan who served University Housing for many years in our facilities department.  Mr. Marvin, as he was known, did so with a smile and provided excellent service to residents and colleagues.  This award recognizes a professional staff member who has consistently exceeded the responsibilities of their position in a way that enhances the success, mission, and goals of the department and who has demonstrated extraordinary dedication and service. This staff member cultivates positive relationships with students and staff in their community.

Award Winners:

The Dean's Cup Award recognizes the Fraternity & Sorority Life Chapter of the Year.

Criteria:

• Recognizes a student organization that has made a positive impact on the campus community
• Demonstrated efforts toward the management of risk through risk management education and attention to member safety
• Free of discipline or sanctions through the Student Code of Conduct, respective Fraternity and Sorority Life Governing Council, and inter/national headquarters during the current academic year
• Grade point average above the all-undergraduate average
• Good financial standing and timely payment of dues to respective Fraternity and Sorority Life Governing Council and or Fraternity and Sorority Life Housing/Student Center Room
• Proven chapter involvement in the university and metro-Atlanta community
• Active and positive relationship with faculty/staff advisor, chapter advisor, and inter/national organization and Fraternity and Sorority Life office
• Timely submission of reports including, but not limited to: chapter Rosters, Membership Intake Plan, Membership forms, etc.

Nominations can be submitted via this PIN Form between January 31 and March 14, 2025.

Award Winners:
2023-24 Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.

2022-23 Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.

Purpose: The Outstanding Community Service Award recognizes a student organization for dedicated service to the greater Atlanta community.

Criteria:

• Participation between April of the previous academic year and March of the current academic year
• Sponsored by a registered student organization
• Provides service to address community issues or concerns
• Demonstrates commitment to excellence in citizenship and community building

Nomination Information: Nominations can be submitted between January 31 and March 14, 2025, via this PIN Form.

Award Winners:
2023-24 Clarkston Chemistry Club and the Clarkston Life & Earth Science Department

2022-23 National Council for Negro Women regularly volunteer their time with the Discovery program of Hands on Atlanta. In this role, they meet every Saturday to work with children attending Saturday school. They play games with the children and help them with the current school curriculum. They most enjoy engaging with the children and talking to them about what is going on in their lives and sharing a bit of their own lives with the children. The influence they have had in the lives of these metro-area students is priceless.

The Outstanding Philanthropy Project Award recognizes a student organization for charitable contributions to a nonprofit organization.

Criteria:

• Participation between April of the previous academic year and March of the current academic year
• Sponsored by a registered student organization
• Provides philanthropy to address community issues or concerns
• Demonstrates commitment to excellence in citizenship and community building

Award Winners:
2023-24 Pi Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. showcased unwavering support for individuals battling breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This heartfelt initiative, which produced over 50 comforting baskets filled with essential items, delivered tangible solace to those fighting the disease. The profound impact of their efforts was palpable as patients at the local hospital, recipients of these thoughtful gifts, expressed genuine joy and gratitude. In addition to providing support, the project raised over $1,000 for the March of Dimes, illustrating their broader philanthropic commitment and the collective strength in effecting positive change.

2022-23 Delta Beta Chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated raised over $6,843 in support of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by sponsoring the Mr. Unstoppable Male Pageant. This two-hour event sparked interest in the organization’s national philanthropy and inspired fellow students and community members to contribute to the cause and raise funds to support the research and treatment of catastrophic childhood diseases.

Criteria:

• Sponsored by a paraprofessional student group or registered organizations
• Demonstrates exemplary planning, development, and implementation of an original program
• Engagement from the campus community with more than 100 participants

Nominations can be submitted via this PIN Form between January 31 and March 14, 2025.

Award Winners:
2023-24 Aspiring African Medical Professionals - 1st Annual Medical Mixer, which was a collaborative effort that provided a vital platform for students aspiring to healthcare careers to connect with professionals, gain insights, and network with industry leaders. Meticulous planning ensured seamless logistics, including venue arrangements, speaker coordination, promotion efforts, catering, and event operations management. With over 100 GSU students and 40 healthcare professionals in attendance, the Medical Mixer's success underscores its broad appeal and impact on the university community.

2022-23 Lifting Our Voices hosts a program that had a reach of over 100 participants in the campus community. This year’s recipient not only brought together students, but also provided an opportunity to serve the local community through weekly events, where students made sandwiches to feed 400 or more people throughout the city.

Criteria:

• Sponsored by a paraprofessional student group or registered organizations
• Demonstrates exemplary planning, development, and implementation of an original program
• Engagement from the campus community with up to 100 participants

Nomination Information: Nominations can be submitted between January 31 and March 14, 2025, via this PIN form.

Award Winners:
2023-24 Student Alumni Association hosted "Let's Talk About Governance: 4th Grade Edition", which began with a warm GSU welcome from the first lady, Dr. Bridget Blake, followed by eight hours of engaging activities and panels emphasizing Civic Engagement. Planning involved meticulous coordination with Georgia State’s Legal Department and Kemp Elementary in Clayton County, GA. Guest Legislators served as panelists, adding depth to the discussions. The program thrived on the dedication of student volunteers from the 1913 Society, T.R.U.S.T, and the Student Government Association.

2022-23 Lamba Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Incorporated collaborated with other organizations to sponsor an event to educate students about immigration - highlighting how it is good for our communities, economy, and country. The event provided a safe space for immigrants and allies to share their stories with the campus community. Nearly 100 students contributed messages in support of immigrants.

There are many student organizations that contribute greatly to the Georgia State community. This award honors a truly exemplary organization.

Criteria:

• Recognizes a student organization that has made a positive impact on the campus community
• Demonstrates exemplary planning, development, and implementation of programs and services for members
• Successfully collaborates with other student organizations

Nominations can be made via this PIN Form between January 31 and March 14, 2025.

Award Winners:
2023-24 Softer Touch

2022-23 Lead Team