Multicultural Graduation and Leadership Awards

Outstanding Student Organization

This award is designed to recognize student organizations that have contributed significantly to the campus around the issues students of color face. These organizations can be educational, political or social in nature and should serve the needs of multiple sections of the UW-Madison community of color. Organization must be a registered and active student organization with the Center for Leadership and Involvement. Organization must develop positive collaborative relationships with other student organizations, community organizations, staff/faculty. Additionally, it must contribute positively to the personal development of its members; support other campus events as well as other student of color organizations; host events that meet the needs of students of color; and develop campus events that build and educate the campus community.

Eligibility Requirements:  Organization, registered and active student organization with the Center for Leadership and Involvement

Recipients will be evaluated based on:

• Serve UW-Madison Community of Color
• Positive collaborative relationships
• Contribution to campus
• Development of members
• Support campus events

Excellence in Social Justice

This award recognizes a student-led organization that has demonstrated excellence in social justice programming, efforts, and leadership during this academic year. Organization must be a registered and active student organization with the Center for Leadership and Involvement. Special consideration will be given to groups that embody the core competencies emphasized by the Institute for Justice Education and Transformation (msc.wisc.edu/socialjustice): Understanding Privilege and Oppression, Ally-ship, Community Organizing, Transformative Leadership, and Movement Building

Eligibility Requirements: Organization, registered and active student organization with the Center for Leadership and Involvement

Recipients will be evaluated based on:

• Excellence in Social Justice Programming
• Commitment to cause
• Contribution to organization
• Impact on the UW Campus
• Embody core competencies

Innovative Program

This award is designed to recognize events or programs that have made a significant impact on the UW community.  Programs should be new or the first of their kind for a registered student organization of color. These programs can be educational or social in nature and should serve the needs of multiple sections of the UW-Madison community or color. Program must have occurred on campus for the first time within the last school year. Organization must be a registered and active student organization with the Center for Leadership and Involvement. Program makes significant contributions to the campus community of color.

Eligibility Requirements: Organization, registered and active student organization with the Center for Leadership and Involvement, program occurred for the first time in the last school year.

Recipients will be evaluated based on:

• Serve the needs of the UW-Madison Community of Color
• Contribution to UW Campus
• Innovative
• Educational or Social Impact

Emerging Leader

This award recognizes a first or second year student who has shown their ability to be a leader on campus and in the surrounding community. This student shows strong interest in furthering their involvement in a student organization, program, or cause and to create a unique mark on the UW community.  Additionally, they demonstrate commitment to a cause/organization; potential for future contributions to the organization and to the rest of the campus community of color; outstanding leadership characteristics and skills; student does not have to hold a specific leadership position in the group.

Eligibility Requirements: Individual; First year and Sophomores Only; Minimum 2.5 GPA

Recipients will be evaluated based on: 

• Developing leadership skills
• Commitment to cause
• Contribution to their organization
• Impact on the UW-Madison campus
• Vision for organization

Established Leader

This award recognizes an established student leader who has shown exemplary leadership, service, and commitment to the University community. This student must show consistent leadership that is displayed through their active participation and commitment to an organization. Additionally, they provide leadership and vision for the organization; demonstrate ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with others; serve as a role model for new members and/or other students of color on campus; and, student does not have to hold a specific leadership position in the group.

Eligibility Requirements: Individual; Juniors and Seniors Only; Minimum 2.5 GPA

Recipients will be evaluated based on:

• Developing leadership skills
• Commitment to cause
• Contribution to their organization
• Impact on the UW-Madison campus
• Vision for organization

Outstanding Faculty

Given to a faculty member at UW-Madison, this award recognizes individuals who have contributed to the success and advancement of students of color and/or student of color organizations. Nominees must show dedication to students of color and/or student of color organizations that is displayed through their active participation in the campus community of color, research, and campus advocacy. Nominees must be current Faculty at UW-Madison.

Eligibility Requirements: Individual, current faculty at UW-Madison

Recipients will be evaluated based on:

• Contribution to BIPOC student success
• Dedication to BIPOC students
• Participation in campus community of color, research, or advocacy
• Impact on UW-Campus

Leading Latinx (LCC)

This award embodies the guiding and founding principles of the LCC, which are connect, empower, and excel. The recipient of this award has strong connections to their community, is successful at empowering others, and excels at leadership. The student(s) who are recognized for this award display exceptional contributions to the Latinx community, strong leadership and mentorship skills, and a dedicated commitment to serving others. 

Eligibility Requirements: Undergraduate student(s) or professional/graduate student(s) 

• A student qualifies at any point during their degree
• Can only be won once while at UW

Igniting the 7th Fire (ISC)

The prophecy of the Seven Fires of the Anishinaabe says that when the 7th fire is lit, a new people will emerge to retrace the steps of those before them and remember stories and wisdom that were once forgotten. This award is given to a graduating student who has demonstrated a strong commitment to uplifting the Indigenous community through their contributions while at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The recipient of this award has shown a dedication to changing the status quo by learning from the past and leading for the future. They have done this by connecting with the Indigenous community on campus, empowering other students through leadership or mentorship roles, and having left an impact in their community. 

Eligibility Requirements: individual; a graduating undergraduate or graduate/professional student; affiliates with the Indigenous Student Center; cannot have won before.

Activating APIDA Award (APIDASC)

This award is given by the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Student Center to recognize an outstanding student for their significant contribution to our APIDA community at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is important to acknowledge that individuals of Asian descent are not a monolith, and the concept of uniting Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans is not based on the existence of a common culture. Our collective is built upon and by individuals who support and celebrate each other both in our shared experiences and in our distinct identities. The recipient of the Activating APIDA Award is a leader who has demonstrated a dedication to uplifting our various backgrounds, addressing the disparities within and across our identities, and building community and coalitions among the APIDA student body at UW-Madison. We wish to recognize, honor, and express our gratitude for their contributions and for their profound impact.

Eligibility Requirement: Any student who has not yet received this award

Aya Community Impact Award (BCC)

The Aya Community Impact Award is an award given by the Black Cultural Center to a graduating student who has an exemplary track record of leadership, service, and commitment to uplifting the Black community at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This award is given to one undergraduate and one graduate/professional student.

Aya (eye-ah) is a Twi word originating from the Akan people of West Africa (Ghana). Aya translates to fern, which represents perseverance and resourcefulness. It also signifies defiance against difficulties and outlasting adversities. Fern plants are known for their ability to grow and flourish in spite of extreme environments.

Black students have endured through many adversities both individually and collectively at UW-Madison. The recipient of this award has made contributions that have made the environment here at UW-Madison more welcoming for Black Students. Ultimately, contributing to a campus environment that makes it easier for current and future Black students to bloom, flourish, and thrive.

Eligibility Requirements: individual; a graduating undergraduate or graduate/professional student; affiliates with the black cultural center