Involvement Awards

The Involvement Awards is an annual ceremony hosted by Student Involvement that honors the exceptional organizations, student leaders, and advisors that we have here on our campus.

Involvement Awards Logo

Nominations Due Feb. 8 at 4:45 p.m.

The 12th annual Involvement Awards will be held on

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

in the Student Activities Center

Award Descriptions

Excellence in Career Readiness | SAO

Given to an SAO organization that empowered its members to grow in career readiness through their engagement in the organization. Nominations will be evaluated on how an organization enhanced the student experience by providing growth opportunities for its members to build leadership skills, technical skills, and other career skills they can carry beyond Auburn. Must be an SAO to be eligible.

Excellence in Career Readiness | RSO/SSO

Given to an RSO/SSO organization that empowered its members to grow in career readiness through their engagement in the organization. Nominations will be evaluated on how an organization enhanced the student experience by providing growth opportunities for its members to build leadership skills, technical skills, and other career skills they can carry beyond Auburn. Must be an RSO/SSO to be eligible.

Outstanding Cultural Impact

Given to an organization that positively impacted the culture of Auburn by empowering students to gain greater insight, understanding, and appreciation of cultures. Nominations will be evaluated on how an organization planned and executed a program, event, campaign, or initiative that positively displayed and impacted the culture of Auburn while providing a cultural learning opportunity for the student body. Must be a student organization to be eligible.

Outstanding Incorporation of Diversity and Inclusion

Given to an organization that incorporated a value for diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organization. Nominations will be evaluated on how an organization demonstrated a commitment to appreciating differences and including all students at Auburn in their organizational offerings and activities equitably. Must be a student organization to be eligible.

The Fred & Charlene Kam “Human Touch” Service Award

Given to an organization whose philanthropic and/or service activities exemplified the power of the “Human Touch” as outlined in the Auburn Creed. The Auburn Creed states, “I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.” Nominations will be evaluated on how the organization served the campus and/or community, demonstrated innovation in their philanthropic and/or service activities, and cultivated sympathy while being helpful and bringing happiness. Must be a student organization to be eligible.

Most Exceptional Campus Event | RSO/SSO

Given to an RSO/SSO host organization that enhanced the student experience by engaging students in a well-planned, well-executed, successful event. Nominations will be evaluated on how an event enhanced the student experience, used innovative practices to engage students, and fulfilled the organization’s mission through a high-quality event. Must be an RSO/SSO event to be eligible. Two awards will likely be given, one for a fall semester event and one for a spring semester event. Eligible events considered are those that occurred between February 1, 2023 – February 1, 2024.

Most Exceptional Campus Event | SAO

Given to an SAO host organization that enhanced the student experience by engaging students in a well-planned, well-executed, successful event. Nominations will be evaluated on how an event enhanced the student experience, used innovative practices to engage students, and fulfilled the organization’s mission through a high-quality event. Must be an SAO event to be eligible. Two awards will likely be given, one for a fall semester event and one for a spring semester event. Eligible events considered are those that occurred between February 1, 2023 – February 1, 2024.

Excellence in Communication and Marketing | RSO/SSO

Given to an RSO/SSO that displayed high-quality marketing & communications efforts to ensure the student body and campus community were aware of their activities and achievements. Nominations will be evaluated on how an organization strategically planned and executed their outreach efforts while utilizing creative ideas and methods to share their stories with the campus community. Must be an RSO/SSO to be eligible.

Excellence in Communication and Marketing | SAO

Given to an SAO that displayed high-quality marketing & communications efforts to ensure the student body and campus community were aware of their activities and achievements. Nominations will be evaluated on how an organization strategically planned and executed their outreach efforts while utilizing creative ideas and methods to share their stories with the campus community. Must be an SAO to be eligible.

Student Leader of the Year

Given to multiple students who best demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities and the principles of the Auburn Creed through their student organization involvement. Nominations will be evaluated on how the student leader enhanced the student experience for others and how they set an example for their peers. Must be a student in a student organization to be eligible.

The Corey Edwards Organization Advisor of the Year Award

Given to an RSO/SSO organization advisor who exceeded their obligations in supporting a student organization and its students. Nominations will be evaluated on how the advisor enhanced the student experience, demonstrated dedication to the student organization’s success, and helped the students fulfill their mission. Must be an Advisor to a Registered Student Org (RSO) or Sponsored Student Org (SSO) to be eligible.

Student Organization Supporter of the Year Award

Given to an individual/group of individuals/office who exceeded their obligations in supporting one or more student organizations and their students. Nominations will be evaluated on how the supporter enhanced the student experience, demonstrated dedication to students’ success, and helped students fulfill their mission(s). Must be a university faculty/staff/office to be eligible but should not be a student organization advisor for this award.

Outstanding New Organization

Given to an RSO/SSO in its first year (provisional or permanent) that most exemplified the traits of an excellent Auburn student organization and that best empowered its members to be impactful Auburn students as a group. Nominations will be evaluated on how the organization enhanced the student experience and how it was innovative in building an organizational foundation and recruiting membership. Must be a first-year RSO/SSO to be eligible.

Most Exceptional Campus Organization | RSO/SSO

Given to an RSO/SSO that most exemplified the traits of an excellent Auburn student organization and that best empowered its members to be impactful Auburn students as a group. Nominations will be evaluated on how the organization enhanced the student experience and how it was innovative in fulfilling its mission. Must be an RSO/SSO to be eligible.

Most Exceptional Campus Organization | SAO

Given to an SAO that most exemplified the traits of an excellent Auburn student organization and that best empowered its members to be impactful Auburn students as a group. Nominations will be evaluated on how the organization enhanced the student experience and how it was innovative in fulfilling its mission for the student body. Must be an SAO to be eligible.

Be The Creed Award

Given to a student who embodies the values set forth in the Auburn Creed. Nominations will be evaluated on whether a student should be recognized and honored for the ways in which they model outstanding hard work, desire to grow through education, honesty and truthfulness, sound mind/body/spirit, good sportsmanship, obedience to law, sympathy for others, helpfulness, belief in country, and a love for Auburn. Be the Creed Honorees are positive examples for others in the Auburn community and beyond. Must be a student to be eligible.

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You might be wondering…

What is the difference between an RSO and a SAO?

Some awards are divided into the following two categories of organization types…

  • One award for Student Activity Organizations (SAO’s) – SAO’s are the 15 large organizations housed directly in the Student Involvement office. These include: Auburn University Dance Marathon, Beat Bama Food Drive, Black Student Union, The Circle, Eagle Eye TV, Emerge, The Glomerata, IMPACT, International Student Organization, Involvement Ambassadors, Organizations Board, The Auburn Plainsman, Student Government Association, University Program Council, and WEGL 91.1. Additionally, for the purpose of the Involvement Awards, Aubie and Greek Councils will also be considered for SAO-category awards.
  • One award for Registered Student Organizations (RSO’s) / Sponsored Student Organizations (SSO’s). RSO’s and SSO’s are the ~500 organizations that represent a wide variety of academic colleges, university departments, and specific interests. 
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If I won an award last year, am I eligible for that award this year?

Typically, organizations do not win the same award they won the previous year. 

Do I have to finish the application in one sitting?

No, AUinvolve will allow you to return to your submission if you do not finish it. Only completed applications will be considered for each award. Make sure that you return to your award and complete it prior to the deadline. You must click “Submit” on AUinvolve for it to be evaluated.

I have a question about an award, who do I reach out to?

Contact Brad Smith, Director of Student Involvement at smithbk@auburn.edu or 334-844-3277 for any questions about award applications, selections, or the Involvement Awards Ceremony.

Can I find this information all in one place?

Yes! Please click here for a PDF document with all the information.