Congratulations to Our 2023 Leadership Award Winners

April 28, 2023

Yesterday, the Margo Souza Leadership Center held the annual Student Leadership Awards Ceremony, celebrating 6 award winners who have made incredible impacts on UC Merced. 

The Souza Student Leadership Center defines leadership as the act of being proactive to address needs and lead individuals to make a collective positive impact in a program, organization, or community. Leadership happens within formal leadership roles. However, leadership also happens when a student without a formal role is proactive and sees a need in the community that they then work to address. Every year the Margo F. Souza Student Leadership Center recognizes student leaders who have created a positive impact at UC Merced and beyond.

Distinguished Leadership Award 

The Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes an undergraduate student who demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in the past academic year. This individual has made a significant impact within the UC Merced community through their exemplary leadership. More than one recipient may be awarded. This student MUST have a 3.0 GPA or above. Self-nominations are permitted for this award. 

Spring 2023 Winners: 

  • Namitha Bhat
  • Arianne Huffman

Carol Tomlinson-Keasey Award 

The Carol Tomlinson-Keasy Award recognizes a student graduating during the 2023 year (undergradaute or graduate) whose influence, ideals and activities throughout their college career have left a lasting, positive impression on the institution and raises the standard of excellence for future generations. No self-nominations are permitted for this award.

Spring 2023 Winner: 

  • Rewanshi Kumar

Legacy Award

The Legacy Award recognizes a graduating student during the 2023 year (undergraduate or graduate) who epitomizes the "best of leader" within the UC Merced community through actions consistent with the University's Principles of Community. This individual has displayed actions and ideals throughout their time as a student at UC Merced that will leave a lasting, positive impression on the institution and has raised the standard of excellence for future generations. Self-nominations are permitted for this award.

Spring 2023 Winners: 

  • Virginia Manandeg
  • Maria Ramirez

Steven and Mia Kang Leadership for Social Change Award

This award honors Steven and Mia Kang's commitment to UC Merced student and inspires current students to strive to become change agents in society and continue to lead by example. The prize will be awarded annually to an outstanding student who has distinguished themselves by their demonstrated leadership in social change either on campus or the community. No self-nominations are permitted for this award. 

Spring 2023 Winner: 

  • Nyjah Robertson

Congratulations to our winners on their incredible work and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors!