2025 Leadership Awards (Self-nominations permitted)
The following awards are open to self-nominations and nominations made by others, providing an opportunity for individuals to showcase their own leadership, contributions, and impact within the UC Merced community. These awards celebrate students who take pride in their achievements and wish to be recognized for their dedication, innovation, and service, Self-nominations allow students to highlight their unique journey and the ways they've made a difference on campus and beyond. Winners will be invited to attend the 2025 Leadership Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 25th, 2025, where they will be celebrated for their achievements and honored for their contributions.
Distinguished Leadership Award
The Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes undergraduate student(s) who demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in the past academic year. The individual(s) have made a significant strides within the UC Merced communtiy through their exemplary leadership and changemaking in action. More than one recipient may be awarded. Self-nominations are permitted for this award.
NOMINATE YOURSELF OR OTHERS FOR THE DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARD HERE
Legacy Award
The Legacy Award recognizes a student graduating during the 2024-2025 academic year (undergraduate or graduate) who epitmizes "best of leadership" qualities within the UC Merced community through actions consistent with the University's Principles of Community. These principles include upholding a culture of dialogue and civility through civic engagement and environmental stewardship, while celebrating identities, values, and beliefs while affirming each person's dignity. The recipient of this award will be an individual whose actions and ideals displayed throughout their time as a student at UC Merced will leave a lasting, postive impression on the institution while rasing the standard of excellence for future generations. Self-nominations are permitted for this award.
NOMINATE YOURSELF OR OTHERS FOR THE LEGACY AWARD HERE
Emerging Leader Award
The Emerging Leader Award recognizes first-year and first-year transfer students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, initiative, and impact during their inaugural year at UC Merced. These individuals embody the spirit of leadership, dedication, and service; contributing meaningfully to their campus community through their actions, involvements, and/or influence. This award celebrates the promise and potential of emerging leaders, inspiring others to make thei rmark on the UC Merced community. Self-nominations are permitted for this award.
NOMINATE YOURSELF OR OTHERS FOR THE EMRERGING LEADER AWARD
College Corps Fellow Award
The College Corps Fellow Award honors a Fellow who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to Merced and neighboring communityies throughout the 2024-2025 academic year. This award recognizes a Fellow who has consistently participated in all program activities and shown a strong commitment to supporting other program fellows, their host site and the population they serve. The recipient of this award exemplifies the values of the College Corps program by actively engaging in service to address societal challenges while embodying the spirit of civis responsibility and leadership. The individual's efforts have benefitted the program and have had a lasting impact on the Merced community. Self-nominations are permitted for this award.
NOMINATE YOURSELF OR OTHERS FOR THE COLLEGE CORPS FELLOW AWARD
UFC Service Organization Award
If you are a member of a registered student club or organization on campus, you are cordially invited to apply for the 2025 University Friends Circle Community Service Organization Award. This award recognizes a student club or organization for exemplary service in the community surrounding UC Merced. The University Friends Circle will present the recipient with a $1,000 award to support continued community service efforts. This application for the University Friends Circle Community Service Organization Award will ask for nominee/nominator information and for responses for 6 short answer prompts. Only information provided through this form will be used to select finalists. Self-nominations are allowed and encouraged!
Nominations are due by 11:59pm on Friday, March 7, 2025
**Only 1 Self-Nomination per student organization**
Nominees must:
- Be in good judicial standing with the university
- Agree to an interview with the UFC Scholarship Committee on Wednesday, April 9 or Thursday, April 10 if selected as a finalist. (Only 2 e-board members are needed for the interview.)
Self-nominations are permitted for this award.
NOMINATE YOUR SERVICE ORGANIZATION FOR THE UFC SERVICE ORGANIZATION AWARD
Deadline to submit nominations is Friday, March 7th, 2025 at 5PM
Winners and nominees will be invited to attend the Leadership Awards Ceremony happening on Fridat, April 25th at 4PM at UC Merced. If you have any questions, please contact the Margo F. Souza Student Leadership Center at lead@ucmerced.edu or by visiting in-person at KL 172.
