Student Organization Achievement and Recognition (SOAR)
Student Involvement, Leadership, & Transitions is pleased to announce that nominations for our annual awards are LIVE.
Now under the name Student Organization Achievement & Recognition (SOAR) Awards, the Emory community is invited to recognize the key players in organizational and leadership development across campus for their outstanding achievements and service.
Nominations for 2024-25 are now open!
Please see full descriptions and criteria below.
Nominations open Feb. 5-17
Applications open Feb. 5-28 (Close at 12:00 p.m.)
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony will be held April 16, 2025. More information to follow.
We are proud of this community and are thrilled to launch this season of gratitude and celebration with you!
Individual Awards
Guidelines and Considerations
Evidence
- All evidence must fall between March 2024 - February 2025.
- Evidence should be specific, clear, and illustrate the direct effort and impact of their involvement with a single and specific student organization, chartered by one of the fourteen chartering entities of Emory University, Atlanta campus.
- Recipients are determined by a selection committee that considers all materials submitted for the nominee.
- Undergraduate councils include: Belonging & Community Council (BCC); BBA Council (Goizueta Business School); Club Sports Council; College Council (Emory College of Arts & Sciences); Emory Student Nursing Association (Nell Hodgson School of Nursing); Media Council
- Graduate councils include: Allied Health Council (AHC); Candler Coordinating Council Divisional Council (C3); Goizueta Business Associations (GBA); Graduate Nursing Council (GNC); Graduate Student Government Association (GSGA); Laney Graduate School Council (LGSC); Medical School Senate (MSS); Rollins Student Governance Association (RSGA); Student Bar Association (SBA)
INDIVIDUALS must be...
- full-time student, faculty, or staff member at Emory University, Atlanta. Individuals currently enrolled at Oxford College are not eligible to receive a SOAR award.
- have no current or pending sanctions with Title IX, Conduct, and Academic Honor Code/Council.
- recognized for the direct effort and impact of their participation with a specific student organization.
The Advisor of the Year is presented to student organization advisor or advising team who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the positive growth and development of their organization and the student leaders they advise. The Advisor of the Year should inspire their students to reach new intellectual and programmatic heights, empower their organization to take on new challenges, seek out new ways of thinking, and engage in socially responsible and ethical leadership.
Requirements
- Individual(s) serve as an advisor in a formal capacity to a chartered student organization, group or program.
- Individual(s) must be registered as the advisor for the student organization for which they are being nominated for their service.
UNDERGRADUATE
The Undergraduate Student Leader of the Year is bestowed upon a student who exemplifies exceptional leadership through principled behavior, service, and a commitment to inspiring positive transformation in their undergraduate community. This student must hold a leadership position for a recognized undergraduate student organization. The recipient of this award will, through their leadership position, make proactive and positive contributions to their fellow undergraduate peers and their experiences by virtue of their dedicated actions and service to the Emory undergraduate community.
Unique Requirements
- Must have served in their leadership position for the organization between March 2024-February 2025.
GRADUATE
The Graduate Student Leader of the Year is bestowed upon a student who exemplifies exceptional leadership through principled behavior, service, and a commitment to inspiring positive transformation in their graduate community. This student must hold a leadership position for a recognized graduate student organization. The recipient of this award will, through their leadership position, make proactive and positive contributions to their fellow graduate peers and their experiences by virtue of their dedicated actions and service to the Emory graduate community.
Unique Requirements
- Must have served in their leadership position for the organization between March 2024 - February 2025
The Heart of Emory is awarded to six (6) individuals, three (3) undergraduates and three (3) graduates, who are active, passionate contributors to the Emory community. They go beyond simply working with the communities around them by advocating for progress and inclusion in their roles. They represent the motto of Emory, “the wise heart seeks knowledge,” by engaging in critical inquiry, cultural humility, and a dedication to pursuing a life of courageous integrity. These six individuals represent what makes Emory worth ‘hailing the gold and blue.’
Organization Awards
Guidelines & Considerations
- All evidence must fall between March 2024 - February 2025.
- Evidence should illustrate the group's efforts and impact (complete or in progress) as it directly relates to the award for which they are being nominated.
- Student organizations must be chartered on the Emory University, Atlanta campus, and be in good standing with the university. Students and student organizations of Oxford College are not eligible to receive a SOAR award.
- Undergraduate councils include: Belonging & Community Council (BCC); BBA Council (Goizueta Business School); Club Sports Council; College Council (Emory College of Arts & Sciences); Emory Student Nursing Association (Nell Hodgson School of Nursing); Media Council
- Graduate councils include: Allied Health Council (AHC); Candler Coordinating Council Divisional Council (C3); Goizueta Business Associations (GBA); Graduate Nursing Council (GNC); Graduate Student Government Association (GSGA); Laney Graduate School Council (LGSC); Medical School Senate (MSS); Rollins Student Governance Association (RSGA); Student Bar Association (SBA)
Awarded organizations will be invited to celebrate their accomplishments at the SOAR Awards Reception where they will receive a prize of $250 in programming funds.
This award is given to one (1) undergraduate student organization that exemplifies a commitment to the betterment and strengthening of Emory and/or the greater Atlanta community.
These organizations have hosted programs and/or events that reflect their mission and have demonstrated a commitment to professional excellence, creativity, and inclusion. Furthermore, the organization embodies the Emory spirit through its commitment to leadership development, collaboration amongst groups, and programs to enhance the quality of campus life at Emory University.
This award is given to one (1) undergraduate student organization that exemplifies a commitment to the betterment and strengthening of Emory and/or the greater Atlanta community.
These organizations have hosted programs and/or events that reflect their mission and have demonstrated a commitment to professional excellence, creativity, and inclusion. Furthermore, the organization embodies the Emory spirit through its commitment to leadership development, collaboration amongst groups, and programs to enhance the quality of campus life at Emory University.
This award is given to (1) one student organization that has demonstrated significant growth and strength in their recent establishment on campus. They have significantly increased their presence around the Emory campus and have achieved the goals they outlined during the chartering process. By either gaining more members of their club or simply by creating new staple events, it is clear that this is a club that is here to stay.
Unique Requirements
- The organization should have been chartered within the last 4 academic years (since Spring 2021)
Programmatic Awards
The Program of the Year award is broken up into three (3) categories based on the population served: Internal, Emory Community, and Off-Campus. One (1) student organization will be awarded per category. Eligible programs could include a one-time event, a semester-long series, or a continued tradition. This award seeks less to recognize events of high volume and more of those with greatest impact.
Programs eligible for the Internal Program of the Year award were put on by a student organization at Emory University to benefit members of that student organization. Programs should be facilitated by members for members.
Examples: mentorship program, general body meetings, and community-building events.
Programs eligible for the Emory Community Program of the Year award should be organized by a student organization at Emory University with an open, inclusive benefit to the whole Emory community. This event’s presence is felt by the entire Emory community and creates an intentional impact on the campus.
Programs eligible for the Off-Campus Program of the Year award were put on by a student organization at Emory University to benefit a community beyond Emory University. This event allowed the student body to experience an off-campus location in an enjoyable and organized fashion.