Every year the Student Leadership Office and the Physical Activities and Self-Care (PAS) Office co-host an awards ceremony open to all AUP students to celebrate and recognize the outstanding contributions of student leaders throughout the academic year. The event takes place at the end of the spring semester and honors those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, initiative, and impact within the AUP community. Award recipients are presented with a commemorative plaque in recognition of their achievements.
Award Nomination and Selection Process
The awards nomination process begins with an open call for nominations during the last week of March. Students are invited to submit nominations for student leaders who have made a meaningful impact on campus based on the award categories listed below. The nomination window is open for two weeks.
In parallel, student organization leaders receive separate calls for nominations to recognize outstanding student organization advisors. This call is sent out in mid-March and remains open for two weeks.
Once the nomination period closes, the Student Leadership Office and the PAS Office review all submissions. Together, they deliberate on the nominations to determine the final award recipients. Nominations are publicly announced one week before the awards ceremony, where the recipients are formally recognized and presented with their plaque in front of their peers.
Annual Award Categories
- Community Impact Award
- Outstanding Multicultural Initiative
- Heart of AUP (x2)
- Keystone Award
- Excellence in Peer Support
- Emerging Student Leader
- Program of the Year
- Student Organization of the Year
- RISE Award (For a Student Organization Advisor)
- Leadership in Wellness
- Outstanding Commitment to Movement
- Most Innovative Physical Activity
- Dedication to Lifelong Activity
- Excellence in Team Sports
- Commitment to Leadership in Sports
- Excellence in Mental Health Advocacy
- The PAS Thrive Award
2024/2025 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Student Leadership Office Awards
- Community Impact Award: AUP Music and Performance
- Outstanding Multicultural Initiative: Hispanic Heritage Month (Club Latinoamérica)
- Heart of AUP (x2): Jacob Shropshire (Graduate Student) & Leah Nagpal (Undergraduate Student)
- Keystone Award: Lucie Reed
- Excellence in Peer Support: Kundai Mwareya
- Emerging Student Leader: Matlyn Drucker
- Program of the Year: AUP Think Tank's Breakfast Talk with the UNESCO American Ambassador
- Student Organization of the Year: Wine Society
- RISE Award (For a Student Organization Advisor): Professor Ziad Majed
PAS Office Awards
- Leadership in Wellness: Comfort Club
- Outstanding Commitment to Movement: Boxing
- Most Innovative Physical Activity: AUP Dance Company
- Dedication to Lifelong Activity: Jenna Farra (Running Club)
- Excellence in Team Sports: Futsal
- Commitment to Leadership in Sports: Nicole Hummell
- Excellence in Mental Health Advocacy: Johanna Sletten Larsson
- The PAS Thrive Award: Kiki Nwankwo (Futsal) and Evan Romano (Basketball)
Previous Winners
Student Leadership Awards
MOST EXECUTIVE EXEC
Sarah Salama
MODEL STUDENT GOVERNMENT OFFICER
T’Anna Johnson
Lilly Mildenberger
MOST INVOLVED
Caroline Sjerven
SERVICE AWARD
Fatimata Djibrine
MODEL STUDENT ORGANIZATION
AUP Green (Sarah Glavan)
MODEL STUDENT ADVISOR
Marouane Noman
Chandler Sumpter-Gillyard
MODEL EDITOR
Jacob Shropshire
MOST IMPACTFUL VISITING STUDENT
Abigail Smart
Joy Amessoudji
EMERGING STUDENT LEADER
Rona Phi
Kendall West
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Nicolas Colucci
Eleanora Marcone
MOST IMPACTFUL PROJECT OR EVENT
Vivre Performing Arts Season
MOST OUTSTANDING MENTOR (MOM Award)
Luca Monti
Graduating Student Leader Special Recognition Award
Rachel Avila
Sara Bashiti
Mallory Boyd
Arabella Lytton Gay
Savie Newton
Morgan Smith
Dominic Spada
Thalia Weissman
PAS Awards
P.A.L. (PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEADER) Grant
Hera Soysal
F.A.S.T (The Financial Assistance for Student with Tenacity Grant)
Dan Dougherty
MVP VOLLEYBALL
Alexandra Wittmeier
MIP VOLLEYBALL
Stephanie Bergon
DEDICATION VOLLEYBALL
Emma Martinez
MVP BASKETBALL
Zwa Inyoni
MIP BASKETBALL
Paul Mathew
DEDICATION BASKETBALL
Paul Mathew
MVP FUTSAL
Zion Drake
MIP FUTSAL
Gabriella Zadoyan
DEDICATION FUTSAL
Sheel Vallam
MVP CONTEMPORARY DANCE
Gisele Luiz
MIP CONTEMPORARY DANCE
Genaro Ng
DEDICATION DANCE
Ani Gonzalez Ward
OFF-CAMPUS ACHIEVEMENT
Sophie Adams
ON-CAMPUS ACHIEVEMENT
Gisele Luiz
PAS ALL-ROUNDER AWARD
Gabby Bashizi
PAS NEWCOMER
Hip Hop Club - Alexandra Shao
PAS PERSEVERANCE AWARD
AUP Basketball - Zwa Inyoni
Athletic Awards 2021-22
AUP Dance
- Dedication: Annika Zoetmulder and Gisele Luiz
- Courage and Perseverance: Ethan Nguyen
- Improvement: Allie Dvorchak
Futsal
- Most Valuable Player: Avery Sharp
- Most Improved: Zion Drake
- Most Dedicated: Gabby Bashizi
Other PAS Awards
- Newcomer Award: Yoga Club, led by Alyssa Gauk
- Perseverance Award: Cameron Waggett and Jonathan Moniz
- Off-Campus Achievement: Allen Blackwell
- Most Versatile Participant: Carolin Melz
Golden Plume Awards 2021-2022
- Peacock Magazine: “Hypocrisy, islamophobia and the future of immigration” – written by Christina Alvarez-Correa
- Peacock Plume: “Do you know Fumo?” – written by Oscar Padula
- AUP Radio: “The Nightly Negroni” – produced By Giulia Oddone and Caleb Stangl
- Best PodPlay Contribution: Love & Rejection
- Most Creative Contributor: Sofia Rose
Leadership Awards 2021-2022
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Model Student Advisor: Lynn Elhadjali
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Model Editor: Abigail Wright
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Model Student Government Officer: Carolin Melz
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Most Executive Exec: Andrew Callaghan
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Model Student Organization: Black and Abroad
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Most Impactful Visiting Student: Madeline Lankarini
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Most Impactful Project: Ukraine Fundraiser
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Best Event: World’s Fair
-
Service Award: Ria Phi
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Emerging Student Leader: Angelina Zagaynova
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Most Involved: Hera Soysal
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M.O.M. Award (Most Outstanding Mentor): Sandra Lefaure
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Most Dedicated Faculty/Staff Advisor: Charlotte Vernier
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Dean’s Leadership Award: Jennifer Edwards
Athletic Awards 2019-2020
Futsal Men:
- Most Valuable Player: Andrew Callaghan
- Dedication Award: Ashton Forichon
- Most Improved: Avery Sharp
Volleyball Women:
- Most Valuable Player: Catherine Taylor
- Most Improved: Stephanie Bergon
Dance Team:
- Most Valuable Player: Sarah Bentov-Lagman
- Most Improved: Alexandra Dvorchak
Golden Plume Awards 2019-2020
Best Fashion Piece:
- "2020 is Nostalgia The New Black? by Abdel Benakki
- "Androgyny: Menswear for All Bodies, Or Truly Gender Fluid" by Linnea Wingerup
Best Scripts for travel Piece:
- “A Mindful Trip to London”* by Isala Gray
Best Freelance Piece:
- "A Breath of Fresh Air for Jane Austen's Iconic Satire" by Abigail Wright
Best Online News Piece:
- “Corona Diaries: T-Minus 36 Hours” by Maddi Carpenter-Crawford
Best Video Production:
- Skin in the Game: Tattoos at AUP (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McccZw5gLYw) by Sofia Rose
Best Magazine Piece:
- "Meme en Franglais: A Look Into Internet Connectivity and Humor" by Linnea Wingerup
Leadership Awards 2019-2020
Best Club: This award recognizes a club that established a strong and memorable presence on campus through their events, weekly meetings, and impact on campus.
- Black and Abroad – founded and led by A’mari Bing-Way
Best Event: This award goes to the most memorable student event of the year!
- Halloween – organized by Olivia Jenkins (SGA) and Sabrina Aguirre (ASM)
Emerging Student Leader: This award goes to a young student leader who has been a driving force of change and productivity in the AUP community, despite having recently arrived at AUP.
- Treraphat (T.) Chainarongrit
Exceptional Club Leader: This award recognizes a student organization leader's outstanding leadership.
- Leonardo Tow (AUP for Consent)
Model Student Advisor: This award recognizes a student advisor who has gone above and beyond the call of duty and made an impact on the AUP community.
- Sandra Lefaure
Model Student Government Executive: This award recognizes excellence from a member of your Undergraduate or Graduate Student Council.
- Nike Hartmann
Most Impactful Project: This award goes to the team or individual who initiated and carried out a project that benefited the AUP community by pushing for lasting, positive change.
- The Corona Diaries – produced by Lydia Wiernik Partenio & Anita Maksymchuk (ASM)
Model Student Government Officer: This award recognizes outstanding leadership from a senator (class or department representative) or SGA committee member.
- Michael Bowers
Most Involved Graduate Student: This award goes to a graduate student who demonstrated exceptional devotion, motivation, and commitment to their activities on campus.
- Renée Walton
Most Involved Undergraduate Student: This award goes to an undergraduate student who demonstrated exceptional devotion, motivation, and commitment to their activities on campus.
- Anita Maksymchuk
Service above self: This award recognizes a student that was willing to put in the time and energy required to truly serve the student body, oftentimes putting the AUP community's needs before their own.
- Alfio Lococo
Dean's Leadership Award: This award from the Dean of Student Development recognizes outstanding leadership from an undergraduate or graduate student.
- Bileh Dougsiyeh
Athletic Awards 2018-2019
Futsal Men:
- Most Valuable Player: Andrew Callaghan
- Most Improved: Cameron Bartlett
- Dedication Award: Shutaro Hasumi
Volleyball Women:
- Most Valuable Player: Patricia Molinos Ruperez
- Most Improved: Tifani Ciotti-Kamph
- Dedication Award: Angelica Elise Powers
Danse Team:
- Most Valuable Player: Sarah Bentov-Lagman
- Most Improved: Thorin Erb
- Dedication Award: Gisele Chu
Student Athlete of the Year:
- Sarah Bentov-Lagman & Thor Hartwick
Golden Plume Awards 2018-2019
Peacock Plume Best Human Interest Piece:
- “A Parent’s Last Resort” by Claire Sharp
Peacock Plume Best News Piece:
- “Paris is Burning” by Katerina McGrath and Fernanda Sapiña
Peacock Magazine Best Human Interest Piece:
- “Should You Know Your Love Languages?” by Olivia Cowden
Peacock Magazine Best Visual:
- “Chez Moi” by Tatum McDonald
Peacock Play Best Human Interest Piece:
- “Conformity at AUP” by Anita Maksymchuk and team
Peacock Play Breakout Piece:
- “Conformity at AUP” by Anita Maksymchuk and team
Scripts for Travel Best Human Interest Piece:
- “Homage to Humanity” by Cinthya Franco
Scripts for Travel Best Travel Piece:
- “Tracing Family Roots to Northern Greece” by Anna Demmas
Fashion Best Human Interest Piece:
- “Error 404: Model Not Found” by Jacqueline Wegworth
Fashion Best Visuals:
- “Vogue Runway #ad #sponsored” by Maddie Czarnik
Best Journalistic Freelance Piece:
- “The Sea from Suomenlinna” by Caleb Lemke
Leadership Awards 2018-2019
Graduate Student Leader:
- Madelaine Vanderheyden
Undergraduate Student Leader:
- Diana Hickox
Most Outstanding Mentor:
- Emily Ide
Exceptional Student Government Executive of the Year:
- Chiara Amor
Outstanding Student Government Official:
- Caelin Peterson
Outstanding Editor or Producer:
- Sage Theiss Sakata
Most Valuable ASM Board Member (MVB award):
- Sophia Foerster
Service Above Self Award:
- Chiara Amor
Emerging Student Leader:
- Chris Turner
Student Club of the Year:
- AUP for Consent (these students make up the board of the club: Frances Eby, Leonardo Tow, Jamie Nyqvist, Sam Proteau, Abigail Wright, Reagan Espino)
Exceptional Student Leader:
- Frances Eby
Propeller of Change Award:
- Dhouha Djerbi
Model Student Advisor:
- Leona Caanen & Malick Rupert
Most Involved:
- Sophia Foerster
Event of the Year:
- Multimedia Fundraising Gala (award goes to the event organizer, Lauren Domagas)
Athletic Awards 2017-2018
Futsal Men:
- Most Valuable Player: Tommaso Mangano
- Most Improved: Marly Phillips Nicol
- Dedication Award: Daniel Kullolli
Volleyball Women:
- Most Valuable Player: Sarah Keough
- Most Improved: Alessandra Campbell
- Dedication Award: Alexandra Acero
Basketball Men:
- Most Valuable Player: Jie Yi Xu
- Most Improved: Johnson Yoder
- Dedication Award: Michael Bowers
Student Athlete of the Year:
- Alessandra Campbell
Golden Plume Awards 2017-2018
Plume Online Best Content:
- "Drawing the line: sexual assault on campus" by Ali Benzerara
Peacock Magazine Best Content:
- "The Metro's Got Talent" by Chanet Smith
Play Video Best Content:
- March for Our Lives
Grad Opinion Best Content:
- "Ode to the Reticent Traveler" by Beth Grannis
Scripts for Travel Best Content:
- "Paris Through its Protest" by Alice Preat
Fashion Journalism Best Content:
- "Ethical Fashion: From Paris to New York" by Dorothea Mursch-Edlmayr
Board Member Awards: Outstanding Editing Achievement:
- Ali Nielsen
Board Member Awards: Best Team Player:
- Alex Bilodeau
- Jackie Wegwerth
- Malick Rupert
Board Member Awards: Outstanding Leadership:
- Talia Lliteras
Leadership Awards 2017-2018
Exceptional SGA Executive Team Member:
- Jasmine Paul
Exceptional SGA Senator:
- Maria Rodriguez
Exceptional SGA Committee Member:
- Rokhaya Wade
Undergraduate Student-Life Leader:
- Jasmine Paul
Graduate Student-Life Leader:
- Anna Chapman
Emerging Student Leader:
- Alfio Lococo
Service above Self Award:
- Nebi Dzhabrailova
Exceptional Club Leader:
- Gloria Atanga
Club of the Year:
- Inspire Africa (Rokhaya Wade & Gloria Atanga)
Senator MVP:
- Jasmine Paul
Athletic Awards 2016-2017
Futsal Men:
- Most Valuable Player: Saji Thiam
- Most Improved: Thor Hartwick
- Dedication Award: Stefan Kaufmann
Volleyball Women:
- Most Valuable Player: Sarah Keough
- Most Improved: Maryam Benjelloun
- Dedication Award: Ekaterina Vorobyeva
Equestrian:
- Most Valuable Player: Chiara Amor
- Most Improved: Nebi Dzhabrailova
- Dedication Award: Katherine Sutliff
Student Athlete of the Year:
- Margarita Valldejuly
Golden Plume Awards 2016-2017
Best Original Photography:
- Rebecca Simor
Funniest Article:
- Lillian Wagner
Most Memorable Voice:
- Lillian Wagenr
Best Interview Piece:
- Safian Ado-Ibrahim
Most Original Article:
- Hedvig Werner
Leadership Awards 2016-2017
Club of the Year (Baytna à Vous):
- Anne Vallot-Basker
Exceptional Club Leader:
- Anne Vallot-Basker
Service above Self Award:
- Jasmine Paul
Emerging Student Leader:
- Cameron Gattinger
Undergraduate Leadership:
- Maria Rodriguez
Graduate Leadership:
- Kristal Kramer
Exceptional Executive Student Leader:
- Maria Rodriguez
Senator MVP:
- Danica Cortez
Senator MVP:
- Adrien Lee
Graduate Life Leadership Award:
- Habiba Belguedj
Undergraduate Life Leadership Award:
- Savannah Jenkins
Exceptional SGA Executive Student Leader:
- Savannah Jenkins
Outstanding Student Media Executive:
- Ariana Mosofari
Emerging Student Leader:
- Amelia Harvey
Service above Self Award:
- Habiba Belguedj
Exceptional Club Leader:
- Eleanor Dickinson
Club of the Year :
- Baytna à Vous (Anne Vallot-Basker)
Athletic Awards 2014-2015
Student Female Athlete of the Year:
- Dasha Goncharova
Student Male Athlete of the Year:
- Kyle Keenan
Leadership Awards 2014-2015
USC Executive Member of the Year:
- Natalie Jenkins
GSC Executive Member of the Year:
- Ayla Nejad
Outstanding GSC Student Senator of the Year:
- Ayla Nejad
Outstanding USC Student Senator of the Year:
- Claudia Galtes
Emerging Student Leader:
- Alexandra Elz
- Amanda Skaar
Service above Self Award:
- Evon Pervan-Keller
- Natalie Jenkins
Student Club Leader of the Year:
- Daniel Umstaedter
- Marina Ceccarelli
Student Committee Leader of the Year:
- Amanda Elz
Student Club of the Year:
- AUP Cares (Alexandra Elz)
Best Student Media Member of the Year:
- Gabriel Hedengren