Leadership Awards
By nomination only
The following awards are reserved for individuals who have been nominated by others in recognition of their exceptional contributions and achievements in leadership. These awards highlight students and community members who have gone above and beyond in their leadership, academic excellence, innovation, and commitment to social change. Nominations can be submitted by peers, faculty, staff, or community partners to ensure these remarkable individuals are celebrated for their impact. Winners are invited to the annual Leadership Awards Ceremony, where they're celebrated for their achievements and honored for their contributions.
Carol Tomlinson-Keasey Award
Recognizes an undergraduate or graduate student graduating during the current academic year who has excelled academically and shown leadership in their community. These Academic Scholars have influenced ideas and activities throughout their college career, taking initiative in creating lasting, positive impacts on campus and throughout the Merced community for future generations of scholars to come. The minimum GPA requirement is 3.0. No self-nominations are permitted for this award.
Steven & Mia Kang Leadership for Social Change Award
Honors Steven & Mia Kang's commitment to UC Merced students and inspires current students to strive to become change agents in society and continue to lead by example. Awarded annually to an outstanding student who has distinguished themselves through demonstrated leadership in social change, either on campus or in the community. No self-nominations are permitted for this award.
Key Elements of Social Change Leadership
- Vision for Equity and Justice: A commitment to addressing societal, socioeconomic, and environmental issues.
- Collaborative Pursuits: Foster collective problem-solving and shared ownership of solutions.
- Empowerment: Elevating others' capacities and inspiring them to contribute to meaningful change.
- Systemic Thinking: Identifying and addressing root causes rather than focusing solely on symptoms.
Margo F. Souza Trailblazer Award
Honors a student who has demonstrated extraordinary vision, innovation, and leadership by creating new clubs, organizations, events, and/or programs that significantly enrich the UC Merced community. Named in recognition of Margo F. Souza's legacy of groundbreaking leadership, this award celebrates individuals who have forged new paths, inspired change, and left a lasting impact on campus life. No self-nominations are permitted for this award.
Community Partner Impact Award
Recognizes an inspiring and thoughtful community partner who has worked with UC Merced in bridging the campus and community to collaborate and address community-identified challenges. With the dedicated leadership of this partner, we've been able to take action to address these challenges in an empathetic, resourceful, and reciprocal approach. No self-nominations are permitted for this award.
Nomination Timeline
Nomination deadlines and the Leadership Awards Ceremony date are announced at the start of each nomination cycle.
Contact our office for current deadlines and ceremony details.
Questions? Contact the Margo F. Souza Student Leadership Center at lead@ucmerced.edu or visit us in person at KL 172.
