SOAR Awards

The Center for Student Activities & Involvement hosted the 19th annual Student Organization Achievement and Recognition (SOAR) Awards online from March 31 to April 8. The SOAR awards recognize student organizations and advisors for their commitment to excellence and significant contributions to the campus and community. 

SOAR 2020 Award Winners

• Most Innovative Program: Asian American Student Association's APIDA Night Market, a program that united 11 student organizations resulting in unity, relationships, and many ongoing collaborations while spreading cultural awareness to the UGA campus community 
• Organizational Improvement: Georgia Society of Health System Pharmacists - UGA for improving efficiency via executive board restructuring resulting in creative and impactful student events
• Organizational Collaboration: Women in Media, Women in Business, and Her Campus UGA for A Seat at the Table, a program centered around empowering and cultivating young female professionals 
• Outstanding Campus Event (Small): Black Affairs Council's Unity Ball, for encouraging unity both within and outside the black community through fellowship and education
• Outstanding Campus Event (Large): Vietnamese Student Association's Night in Saigon, for incredible performances designed to uplift and unite the Vietnamese community in America
• Outstanding New Organization: Medical Business Association for beginning to bridge the knowledge gap between the fields of medicine and business with the hopes of creating a generation of stronger, more prepared professionals
• Commitment to Social Justice: Indian Cultural Exchange's Chai and Chaat, for building community while providing a platform for students to have meaningful conversations related to cultural norms and societal problems 
• Outstanding Cross-Cultural Program: Hispanic Student Association's Noche Latina, for showcasing the culture and diversity within the Latinx/Hispanic community while creating community for students at UGA
• Outstanding Service to the Community (Small): Serve UGA for challenging students to look beyond UGA's campus and find ways to give back to the greater Athens community
• Outstanding Service to the Community (Large): Serving Others Unconditional Love for their continued, intentional service in the community
• Pillar of the Community: Nia Waller, nominated by University Judiciary 
• Advisor of the Year: Maya Mapp, nominated by Residence Hall Association
• Candice Sherman Emerging Leader: Kevin Nwogu, nominated by Student Alumni Association
• Bulldog Vision: Brett Feldman, nominated by Georgia Israel Public Affairs Committee
• Organization of the Year: Residence Hall Association for enhancing the student experience by serving as a student programming and advocacy body for all students residing in University Housing facilities 

SOAR Award Descriptions

Outstanding Senior Leader (OSL)

Pandora Yearbook presents the OSL Award to honor those that have gone above and beyond in their commitment to leadership, academics, campus involvement, and community service. 

At the minimum, application materials should include:

• Resume
• Responses to three brief questions on the application

Most Innovative Program

Awarded to the student organization that positively impacted the UGA community through sponsoring an original project or program. Applicants should be able to describe their program/event’s creativity and innovation.

At the minimum, application materials should include:

• Description of the need you identified and how your program/project addressed that need
• Description of the communities and/or students who were involved in the program/project and how those communities and/or students were impacted
• Description of the program logistics and planning process

Outstanding Cross-Cultural Program

Awarded to the student organization that realizes no community can reach its fullest potential without celebrating and encouraging respect for diversity and works to create a more-inclusive climate. This program will have improved the UGA campus climate by working to present a program or series of programs of lasting impact that increases the understanding of different cultures and provides opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges. Applicants should be able to demonstrate how their program benefitted the University community during and after the time of the event, as well as articulate what attendees learned as a result of participation.

At the minimum, application materials should include:

• Narrative of the program – purpose, intent, and how it showcased diverse views, backgrounds, and/or experiences
• How the program contributed to participants’ and community awareness and/or knowledge of diversity or created space for cross-cultural exchange?
• Description of the impact of the program or initiative on the campus community: How has the campus changed because of this work? How has the campus benefited from this work?
• Description of the impact of the initiative or program on the members performing it: What did you learn?  How has this program or initiative changed your organization moving forward?

Commitment to Social Justice

Given to a student organization or student organization-led initiative whose programs or efforts educate people on social justice issues on campus and/or abroad and have shown evidence of a significant impact on addressing power, privilege, and discrimination to foster inclusiveness and a socially-just society.

At the minimum, application materials should include:

• Narrative of how the initiative came to fruition, the initiative’s intent, and purpose
• Social justice issue(s) addressed and how the initiative specifically addressed power, oppression, privilege, etc.
• Description of the impact of the program or initiative on the campus community: How has the campus changed because of this work? How has the campus benefited from this work?
• Description of the impact of the initiative or program on the members performing it: What did you learn? How has this initiative changed your organization moving forward?

Outstanding Service to the Community

Awarded to one large (50+ members in the student organization as determined by Involvement Network roster) and one small (less than 50 members in the student organization as determined by Involvement Network roster) student organizations that exemplify outstanding organizational service to the UGA and/or Athens community. These organizations will have given their time and/or talents to positively advance a campus or community issue. If applicable, applicants are encouraged to look beyond their philanthropic efforts to the actual service that was completed.

At the minimum, application materials should include:

• Service platform (if applicable)
• Description of the impact of the service on the community: How has the community changed or benefited from this work? Is this long-lasting, sustainable change for the community?
• Description of the impact of the service on the members performing it: What did you learn? How has this service changed your organization moving forward?
• Program logistics (e.g., location, planning process, hours, attendance, etc.)

Outstanding Campus Event

Awarded to one large one large (50+ members in the student organization as determined by Involvement Network roster) and one small (less than 50 members in the student organization as determined by Involvement Network roster) student organization hosting/sponsoring a program or event. Applicants should demonstrate exemplary skills in ideation, planning, promotion, and execution of the event. Event must have occurred from February 2018 to January 2019.

At the minimum, application materials should include:

• Program logistics (e.g, date, location, purpose, attendance, etc.)
• Overview of the planning process
• What distinguishes this program from others of its size?
• How has this program contributed to the development of organization members and/or attendees?

Organizational Improvement

Awarded to the student organization that has taken significant steps in order to improve its overall level of effectiveness from one year to the next. Applicable improvement should have occurred from February 2018 to present.

At the minimum, application materials should include:

• Description of the identification of a need for change within the organization 
• Explanation of the steps taken in order to accomplish organizational change
• Demonstration of holistic organizational improvement

Organizational Collaboration

Awards to two or more registered student organizations that have embraced the spirit of collaboration through co-sponsorship and partnership of an activity or event. Collaboration is about more than shared resources; it is also about shared vision, planning, and purpose of an event meant to reach a greater segment of the University community.

At the minimum, application materials should include:

• Program logistics (e.g., organizations involved, program, date, location, purpose, etc.)
• How the program embraced the spirit of collaboration?
• How the program was enhanced by the collaboration?
• How the partnership occurred?

Outstanding New Organization

Awarded to the student organization that displayed promise and potential through its purpose, structure, and programs during its first year of existence. Only organizations registered as a new student organization since February 2018 will be considered.

At the minimum, application materials should include:

• Description of the development of a vision for the organization
• Description of the organization’s first year accomplishments
• Organization’s plans for future success

Organization of the Year

Awarded to the student organization, which through its activities, programs, and projects, has had a significant positive influence on the University of Georgia campus and local communities. This award is based on the quality of events hosted, quality of service performed, and participation in other campus events. This organization will have demonstrated their initiative to further advance the collegiate experience of UGA students beyond the classroom.

At the minimum, application materials should include:

• Description of your organization’s mission and/or purpose and how the organization is enacting that mission/purpose through its initiatives
• Description of how your organization contributes to the development of its membership
• Description of the impact your organization has had on the UGA and/or local communities

***If selected as a finalist for the award, applicants will participate in a five-minute presentation to a panel of judges. Finalists will be notified no later than February 24, 2020 with details about the next steps, presentation suggestions, and possible interview times.***

Awards Requiring Nomination

Advisor of the Year

Awarded to the student organization advisor who has gone above and beyond the basic expectations of an advisor. The nominee must be an active advisor of a registered student organization.

At minimum, materials should include a description of:

• The specific qualities this individual demonstrates that show a commitment to advising a student organization.
• Specific examples that show how this individual has positively impacted the organization and displayed their potential to create lasting impacts on UGA and/or the community.

Bulldog Vision

Awarded to a seasoned student leader, having earned more than 60 credit hours, who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and vision. Nominees for this award will have helped their organization and/or community envision the future, identify paths to success, and implement their vision for the betterment of their organization and/or community.

At the minimum, nomination materials should include:

• The vision, its development, and implementation
• Description of how the vision relates to the organization’s purpose and/or mission
• Description of how the nominee has been legacy-minded in regards to the vision
• Description of the leadership skills possessed by the nominee or group

Pillar of the Community

Awarded to an individual or entity affiliated with the UGA community, but not necessarily with any one organization, who assists others above and beyond the call of duty. This award highlights the behind-the-scenes contributions that further the mission of the institution. Those eligible include faculty, staff, community members, and students.

At the minimum, application materials should include:

• The contributions and impact this individual and/or entity has had on the UGA community
• Specific examples that show how this person/entity demonstrates the Pillars of the Arch (Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation) in their work

Candice Sherman Emerging Leader

Awarded to a student leader, having earned less than 60 credit hours, who has demonstrated leadership qualities within their organization on campus or in the community. Nominees should display the potential and desire to give back to the university and community through their leadership. Potential is not measured merely by position held, but rather the significant contributions the individual has made on campus or in the community. Award recipients will demonstrate that they have participated in experiences that have helped develop their leadership skills.

At the minimum, application materials should include:

• Description of the identification of a need for change within the organization 
• Explanation of the steps taken in order to accomplish organizational change
• Demonstration of holistic organizational improvement