Student Organization Awards

Want to submit a nomination? Visit the Student Center's OwlNest page to complete the nomination form!
Nomination Deadline: Friday, March 13 at 11:59 PM

The Student Center Student Organization Awards Reception is an opportunity for the Rice community to recognize the contributions of dedicated student leaders, organizations, and faculty/staff advisors.

Student Organization Awards

Only active, registered student organizations in good standing are eligible for student organization awards.

Program of the Year
The Program of the Year Award recognizes a registered undergraduate or graduate student organization that has made a meaningful and lasting impact on Rice's campus through an exceptional event or initiative. This award celebrates creativity, thoughtful planning, and the ability to bring community together in ways that enrich the student experience. Collaborative programs hosted by multiple organizations are also welcome, as we value partnerships that foster connection and elevate campus life.

Collaboration of the Year
The Collaboration of the Year Award honors a registered undergraduate or graduate student organization that has demonstrated the power of partnership between two or more organizations to create a meaningful and impactful event or initiative. This award celebrates teamwork, shared vision, and the ability to build bridges across campus in ways that strengthen and enrich the Rice community.

Performance of the Year
The Performance of the Year Award recognizes a registered undergraduate or graduate student organization that has showcased excellence in the performing arts. Through talent, creativity, and dedication, these organizations use the arts to inspire, tell powerful stories, and create meaningful shared experiences.

Campus Impact Award
The Campus Impact Award recognizes a registered undergraduate or graduate student organization that has made a meaningful and lasting difference within the Rice community. Through intentional programming, collaboration, advocacy, or community engagement, these organizations demonstrate a strong commitment to creating positive change on campus. This award celebrates groups that enrich the student experience, uplift others, and cultivate meaningful connections across the Rice community.

Beyond Rice Award
The Beyond Rice Award recognizes a registered undergraduate or graduate student organization that has demonstrated creativity, vision, and heart in developing initiatives that give back and create meaningful change. This award celebrates an organization that has supported worthy causes, uplifted others, and extended a helping hand in impactful ways. The Beyond Rice Award honors the club that turns ideas into action and inspires a culture of care, service, and positive initiatives beyond the Rice community.

Member Development
The Member Development Award recognizes a registered undergraduate or graduate student organization that has demonstrated a strong commitment to the growth, engagement, and success of its members. Recipients may exemplify excellence through thoughtful recruitment and retention strategies, providing leadership and skill-building opportunities, implementing mentorship initiatives, or creating sustainable transition plans that ensure long-term organizational success.

New Student Organization of the Year
The New Student Organization of the Year Award celebrates a student organization in its first two years that has quickly established itself as a vibrant and engaged part of the Rice community. This award recognizes groups that have demonstrated initiative, creativity, and enthusiasm while building their identity their identity, engaging members, and making a meaningful contribution to campus life.

Receipts of this award are organizations that show promise, energy, and vision—groups that have overcome the challenges of a first year and laid a strong foundation for the continued growth and impact. This award highlights the exciting potential of new voices shaping the Rice student experience.

Eligible nominees include any undergraduate and graduate student organizations within its first two years of registration with the Student Center.

Undergraduate Student Organization of the Year
The Undergraduate Student Organization of the Year Award is the highest honor presented to a registered undergraduate student organization. This award recognizes a group that has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and impact while advancing the mission of Rice University.

The recipient exemplifies a commitment to fostering a vibrant community of learning, engagement, and discovery—developing leaders and creating meaningful opportunities for involvement across campus. Through innovative programming, strong organizational leadership, and a dedication to uplifting others, this organization has significantly enhanced the undergraduate student experience for both its members and the broader Rice community. This award celebrates a student organization that not only represents the very best of Rice, but actively shapes and strengthens its future.

Graduate Student Organization of the Year
The Graduate Student Organization of the Year Award is the highest honor presented to a registered graduate student organization. This award recognizes a group that has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and impact while advancing the mission of Rice University.

The recipient exemplifies a commitment to fostering a vibrant community of learning, engagement, and discovery—developing leaders and creating meaningful opportunities for involvement across campus. Through innovative programming, strong organizational leadership, and a dedication to uplifting others, this organization has significantly enhanced the graduate student experience for both its members and the broader Rice community. This award celebrates a student organization that not only represents the very best of Rice, but actively shapes and strengthens its future.

Individual Student Awards

Individuals that are nominated for any of the awards below must be listed on the organization’s roster on OwlNest. Organizations must be active & registered with the Student Center.

Student Center Spirit Award
The Student Center Spirit Award honors a student leader who embodies the heart and values of the Student Center through their actions, leadership, and service. This award recognizes an individual who consistently reflects Development, Excellence, and Community in the ways they engage, uplift, and inspire others.

Recipients demonstrate a commitment to Development by cultivating leadership growth, encouraging advocacy and inclusion, and embracing opportunities for personal and organizational learning. They model Excellence through professionalism, integrity, and a dedication to going above and beyond in service to their organization and the broader campus. Above all, they foster Community by creating spaces of belonging, collaboration, and meaningful connection that positively impact the Student Center and its many stakeholders.

The nominee's organization must be registered through the Student Center. Both undergraduate and graduate student leaders are eligible, and nominees are not required to hold on executive position within their organization. This award celebrates the spirit, character, and influence of a student who leads by example and strengthens the Rice community.

Outstanding Member Award
The Outstanding Member Award honors an undergraduate or graduate student member who consistently goes above and beyond to support their registered student organization. This award recognizes students who contribute behind the scenes, inspire their peers, and help their organization thrive through their dedication, initiative, and commitment. Recipients of this award embody quiet leadership, selfless service, and a genuine commitment to fostering community within their organization.

Eligible nominees include undergraduate and graduate students who are active members of a registered student organization. Executive officers/presidents, and individuals receiving compensation for their involvement are not eligible.

Undergraduate Student Organization President of the Year
The Undergraduate Student Organization President of the Year award recognizes a president or co-president who significantly advanced the mission and goals of their student organization through challenging and encouraging members to advance new initiatives, projects or programs, develop new skills, and/or prepare for leadership transition. The award recipient should display a commitment to leadership development, membership engagement, innovation, and cross-campus collaboration. Club/organization must have completed club registration through the Student Center. Only undergraduate student leaders are eligible. Nominees must have served a full term as President or Co-President by the end of the current academic year. Any individual who holds a primary leadership position (Ex. President, Co-President, etc.) of a club/organization is eligible to receive this award.

Graduate Student Organization President of the Year
The Graduate Student Organization President of the Year award recognizes a president or co-president who significantly advanced the mission and goals of their student organization through challenging and encouraging members to advance new initiatives, projects or programs, develop new skills, and/or prepare for leadership transition. The award recipient should display a commitment to leadership development, membership engagement, innovation, and cross-campus collaboration. Club/organization must have completed club registration through the Student Center. Only graduate student leaders are eligible. Nominees must have served a full term as President or Co-President by the end of the current academic year. Any individual who holds a primary leadership position (Ex. President, Co-President, etc.) of a club/organization is eligible to receive this award.

Executive Leader of the Year Award
The Executive Leader of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student who serves in an executive officer role other than President or Co-President within a registered student organization. This award honors leaders who demonstrate exceptional commitment, initiative, and effectiveness within their specific portfolio—whether in finance, programming, communications, membership, operations, or another executive capacity.

Recipients of this award exemplify operational excellence, strategic thinking, and a deep dedication to their organization’s success. Through strong collaboration, innovation, and consistent follow-through, they strengthen internal systems, elevate programming and member engagement, and make a meaningful, lasting impact on their organization and the broader Rice community.

Faculty/Staff Sponsor Awards

Hudspeth Award (Advisor of the Year Award)
The C.M. and Demaris Hudspeth award was established to recognize faculty and staff sponsors who are dedicated supporters of student life and organizations. Each year at least one faculty member and/or one staff member are selected to receive this award to recognize them for their notable contribution to the success of the organization.