About the award
Up to five President's Awards for Excellence in Student Leadership are presented each year during convocation to recognize excellence in student leadership for graduating (undergraduate or graduate) students.
What is the President's Award for Excellence in Student Leadership?
These awards are presented to graduating students (undergraduate or graduate) who, during their years at the ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½, have combined excellent academic achievement with outstanding co-curricular contributions to the university and to the broader community. The intent is to recognize those students who have made significant contributions toward improving and developing the intellectual, social, cultural and/or athletic fabric of the ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ community.
The award is based on excellent academic achievement and outstanding co-curricular contributions to the university. It is aligned with the values of the university as outlined in Ahead of Tomorrow, and the Academic Innovation Plan, Domain #4 - Inclusive, Caring and Sustainable Campus Culture.
What is the nomination process?
Nominations open January 1 and close March 1, annually.
Nominators
Eligible students are nominated by faculty, staff or students. There should only be one nominator. The nominator must obtain the consent of the student whose nomination they are putting forward and complete the .
This form includes submitting a primary letter of support. All details can be found at .
Secondary letters of support
Nominators must also coordinate the submission of two additional supporting letters. Secondary supporting letters from ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ staff, faculty or students can be submitted using the . Anyone providing a secondary letter who is not staff, faculty or a student within the ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ (e.g. community members, other post-secondaries) can complete the .
Nominated students
The nomination process requires the nominated student to submit an where they can share their contributions, consent to the review of their transcript and confirm they are in good student conduct standing with the university. All details can be found at .
Student nominee eligibility
- Students must be in their graduating year of a graduate or undergraduate program
- Nomination is based on the degree the student is currently receiving
- Students are eligible to receive the award one time only
- Should a student become ineligible for the award at any point in the process (e.g., if the student intends to graduate but does not do so in the planned year), their nomination will be withdrawn
- Note: Students in the Leaders in Medicine program are only eligible in their graduating year, (i.e. the year they are attending convocation)
This award requires students to be in good conduct standing for non-academic misconduct. Please note that in submitting your application, you are verifying that you are in good conduct standing and you consent to this being verified by the Student Conduct Office. Note that details of non-academic misconduct cases are not shared through this process.
If you are currently involved in a non-academic misconduct process, or have been found responsible for a violation of the Student Non-Academic Misconduct Policy and you are unsure of your conduct standing, please contact <conduct@ucalgary.ca to verify your status. More information can be found at the Student Conduct Office FAQ page.
What is the evaluation process?
A selection committee considers nominees who have demonstrated outstanding student leadership qualities that have contributed to the improvement of the university community for the benefit of students at the ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½. In considering nominations, the committee will pay particular attention to evidence that the nominee has:
- Demonstrated contribution to the university on an institutional level through leadership on university or faculty-based committees, groups or organizations
- Contributions to the development and enhancement of student-focused co-curricular activities at the university
- Demonstrated commitment and impact to the local, provincial, national and/or international community such as volunteer work or research
- Contributions to building community and pride at the university, demonstrated through passion for supporting students and the student experience formally or informally. (i.e. individual mentorship, organizing events, etc.) We encourage applicants to emphasize impacts that are aligned with Domain #4 Inclusive, Caring and Sustainable Campus Culture and our institutional commitments to EDIA, Mental Health & Well-being through the Office of Institutional Commitments as well as ii’ taa’poh’to’p through the Office of Indigenous Engagement.
- Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence through good academic standing that may be evidenced through GPA, course grades, publications, conference presentations, research engagement, academic prizes or awards, and/or other scholarly achievements.
Who is the selection committee?
Five members of the ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ community comprise a selection committee and choose the award recipient(s). Members include:
- The Vice-Provost (Student Experience);
- A faculty member, preference is for an associate dean who works with students;
- A distinguished alum;
- The Students’ Union President, or their delegate; and
- The President of the Graduate Students’ Association, or their delegate
All members of the committee are required to complete Bias training and sign an Oath of Confidentiality to ensure all nomination materials are reviewed as objectively as possible and kept confidential.
