Outstanding Student Leader Awards

*We understand year standing and classifications can become complicated for our students. If you have questions regarding your classification and which awards you are eligible for, please don’t hesitate to reach out to becka.shetty@uta.edu.

Frequently asked questions

Below is a description of the Outstanding Student Leader Awards process. Specific dates are determined on an annual basis.

  • January: Students are nominated by a UTA-affiliated faculty, staff, or student.
  • February: Student nominees complete an application that requires a leadership log and short-answer essay responses. Nominees are emailed with application information; the application is not public.
  • March: The First, Second, and Graduate Student Leader Award recipients are selected from the applicant pool.
  • March: The top 5 candidates among juniors and seniors are selected to interview to receive the Leadership Achievement Award, Jeff Sorensen Award, or Wayne Duke Award.
  • April: All nominees and award winners are recognized at the annual Leadership Recognition Ceremony.

All UTA-affiliated faculty, staff, and students are invited to nominate students for our Outstanding Student Leader Awards. Please see the criteria for awards below before nominating students. Nominations take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Only one student may be nominated per form, but each submitter may submit multiple forms. Questions can be directed to leadership@uta.edu.

2024-2025 Nominations are DUE by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025. Click here to nominate.

First Year Leader Award

The First Year Leadership Award identifies a first year student who stands out among their peers and has made significant contributions to the university. 

Award is open to first year students.

Second Year Leader Award

The Second Year Leadership Award identifies a second year student who stands out among their peers and has made significant contributions to the university.

Award is open to second year students.

Graduate Student Leader Award

The Graduate Student Leader Award identifies a graduate student who stands out among their peers and has made significant contributions to the university.

Award is open to all graduate students.

Leadership Achievement Award

The Leadership Achievement Award identifies individuals who stand out among their peers and have made signification contributions to the university.

Award is open to juniors and seniors.

Jeff Sorensen Leadership Award

Jeff Sorensen was the one of the longest serving Assistant Vice President in the Division of Student Affairs. He was a strong mentor to many student leaders who have passed through the halls of UT Arlington. The Jeff Sorensen Leadership Award identifies individuals who have made significant contributions to their organizations and the university over the tenure of their time on campus.

  • Students must be involved in a minimum of two organizations/groups and held a major leadership position in at least one of those organizations or recognized departmental components.
  • Acknowledgement will only be given to those leadership efforts that were accomplished at UTA.
  • All students must be nominated by a staff or faculty member.
 

Award is open to juniors and seniors.


Wayne Duke Leadership Award

Dr. Wayne Duke was the longtime Vice President of Student Affairs at The University of Texas at Arlington who believed in student engagement and leadership development. Selection will be based on

  1. Effectiveness as a leader.
  2. Level of involvement.
  3. Variety of experience.
  4. Length of time served in leadership roles while at UT Arlington.
  • The student must show ongoing leadership development and contributions throughout their enrollment at UTA.
  • Acknowledgement will only be given to those leadership efforts that were accomplished at UTA.
  • All students must be nominated by a staff or faculty member.

Award is open to juniors and seniors.

 

Criteria for all awards

  1. Commitment to their communities.
  2. Leadership skills.
  3. Lasting impact or potential to create lasting impact at UTA.
  4. Applicants must be currently enrolled UTA students.
  5. Must have a 2.5 GPA.
  6. Must be in good standing with the university and Community Standards.