Margo F. Souza Trailblazer Award
The 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 forge new paths, inspire change, and leave a lasting impact on campus life.
This award is open to all enrolled undergraduate and graduate students during the 2025–2026 academic year. Recipients exemplify trailblazing leadership by identifying unmet needs and establishing sustainable initiatives that continue to benefit the UC Merced community beyond their time at the university.
Criteria to Consider
- The nominee has created a new club, organization, event, initiative, and/or program at UC Merced.
- The nominee’s actions have enriched the UC Merced community by addressing gaps related to inequality, diversity, retention, and/or environmental stewardship.
- The nominee has established systems and structures to ensure the sustainability of the club, organization, event, and/or initiative beyond their tenure at UC Merced.
Nomination Deadline
Nomination applications are due Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Nomination Information
Students, faculty, staff, and members of the UC Merced community are encouraged to submit nominations. No self-nominations are accepted for this award.
Self-Nomination: No
