Student Leadership and Involvement Awards (SLIA)
The Student Leadership and Involvement Awards (SLIA) is the annual awards ceremony held to recognize student leaders and registered student organizations for their contributions to campus and the surrounding communities.
The 2025 - 2026 Student Leadership and Involvement Awards will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Student Activities Center Ballrooms. (RSVP available soon)
Nominate an individual or organization: Nomination Application
Deadline to Apply - Monday, March 30, 2026.
Tips when completing the application:
- Complete a separate application for each award listed in the application dropdown menu.
- We suggest writing your responses in a separate document and copying/pasting them into the application.
- Share with your members and collaborate on recognizing members of your organization.
Full award descriptions, criteria, & past recipients listed below.
Outstanding Advocacy Award of the Year is awarded to a student or student organization
that strives to promote understanding and appreciation of civility and engagement
in a multitude of forms at Clayton State University.
Previous Award Recipients:
- 2025 - Antonio Fernandez
- 2024 - Alpha Phi Omega - Laker Care Pantry Grand Opening
- 2023 - N/A
- 2022 - National Council of Negro Women - “What a Woman Vision Board” event
Awarded to a student organization that collaborated with another entity (i.e., department,
student organization, etc.) to sponsor a specific activity/program that exhibited
creativity, encouraged student growth and development, and contributed to the quality
of student life on campus. The event must have occurred during the 2025-2026 academic
year and must be an approved activity through the Presence (Modern Campus) engagement
system.
Previous Award Recipients:
- 2025 - AI: How Your Brand, Business, and Education are Impacted - Supply Chain Roundtable & College of Business
- 2024 - Student Choice Awards - Campus Events Council (CEC) & Clayton State Internet Radio (CSiR)
- 2023 - Annual Mock Interviews and Speaker Forum - Supply Chain Roundtable & College of Business and Career and Professional Development
- 2022 - N/A
Outstanding Community Service Activity of the Year is awarded to a student leader
or organization that sponsored a service project that benefited someone in need and/or
supported and encouraged student commitment to volunteering and service.
Previous Award Recipients:
- 2025 - Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity - Laker Care Pantry/Donation Drives
- 2024 - Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity - Laker Care Pantry Grand Opening
- 2023 - Supply Chain Roundtable - Margie’s House Monthly Prep
- 2022 - Supply Chain Roundtable & the Society for Human Resource Management - “Valentine’s Day Cards to Soldiers”
Outstanding New Student Organization is awarded to a first-year student organization
that has shown potential for longevity and stability through its mission, structure,
programs, and services.
Previous Award Recipients:
- 2025 - Pre-Veterinary and Animal Sciences Association
- 2024 - The Comic Club
- 2023 - N/A
- 2022 - The National Council of Negro Women
Excellence in Student Involvement Award is awarded to a student for his/her extensive
involvement in student organizations, leadership and community service during the
academic term. This award recognizes a freshman or sophomore student for outstanding
contributions to student life and for giving both time and resources to ensure a program
or activity will succeed.
Previous Award Recipients:
- 2025 - Kiara Diggs
- 2024 - Zion Rodericks
- 2023 - N/A
- 2022 - Claribel Ross
Outstanding Program of the Year is awarded to a student organization that sponsored
a specific activity or program that exhibited creativity, encouraged student growth
and development, and contributed to the quality of student life on campus.
Previous Award Recipients:
- 2025 - Skate Night - Campus Events Council
- 2024 - Bust-Up the Runway - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- 2023 - Pride Week - Gay Straight Alliance
- 2022 - Annual Mock Interviews and Forum Event - Supply Chain Roundtable
Outstanding Activity/Program of the Year is awarded to a student organization that
sponsored a specific activity or program that exhibited creativity, encouraged student
growth and development, and contributed to the quality of student life on campus.
Previous Award Recipients:
- 2025 - National Council of Negro Women
- 2024 - Supply Chain Roundtable
- 2023 - Gay Straight Alliance
- 2022 - Society for Human Resource Management
The Outstanding Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award is awarded to a student
organization Advisor who has gone above and beyond the basic expectations required
of an Advisor.
Previous Award Recipients:
- 2025 - Dr. Carin Lightner-Laws, Advisor of the Supply Chain Roundtable
- 2024 - Ashley Kekula, Advisor of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity
- 2023 - Dr. Carin Lightner-Laws, Advisor of the Supply Chain Roundtable
- 2022 - Dr. Carin Lightner-Laws, Advisor of the Supply Chain Roundtable
The Laker Vision Award is awarded to a Junior or Senior who has demonstrated outstanding
leadership throughout his or her matriculation at Clayton State University.
Previous Award Recipients:
- 2025 - Mr. James McKinney
- 2024 - Ms. Jo'leigka "Jojo" Harris
- 2023 - Ms. Yulianny Matas Media
- 2022 - Ms. Gabriela Lopez
Named in honor of the long-time former Dean of Students, Mr. Jeff Jacobs, who, after
years of service, made an impact through his leadership and support of student development/leadership
and changed students' lives for the better. Nominees of this award must have demonstrated
outstanding leadership skills within their organization and the Clayton State University
community. The nominee must hold an officer position in at least one (1) registered
student organization. Students recognized as Student Leader of the Month for the
2025-2026 Academic Year will also receive consideration by the review committee.
Previous Award Recipients:
- 2025 - Murray Duffey
Award Eligibility
Any organization nominated for an award must be registered and in good standing with
Clayton State University, Office of Student Conduct and Laker Life.
All nominated programs must have taken place since July 1, 2025 & prior to March 31,
2026.
All individual student award applicants must be in good standing with Clayton State
University; this includes having a minimum cumulative grade point average of a 2.0
unless otherwise specified in the award criteria.