Student Leadership Awards

The Student Leadership Awards acknowledge and recognize students and organizations that go beyond the call of duty to help their community, peers, organization and school. Organizations are also awarded for their school spirit, achievements and contributions to the community.

Current Award Descriptions

This award recognizes a student or student organization that has demonstrated exceptional leadership in driving social change at Stanislaus State and within the broader community. Recipients have actively challenged systemic inequities and fostered a more inclusive and just environment through impactful projects, initiatives, or advocacy efforts.

This award recognizes a graduating senior or graduate student who has made a significant and lasting positive impact on communities, groups, or individuals through dedicated volunteer service. Recipients have demonstrated exceptional commitment to human well-being and social responsibility, embodying the spirit of community engagement. The selection committee will assess the depth, scope, and enduring effects of their service contributions.

This award recognizes a member of the Fraternity & Sorority Life community who demonstrates exceptional leadership and involvement both within and beyond the Greek community.

To celebrate and honor an organization or individual who has made significant and demonstrable contributions to cultivating a campus environment where all members feel valued, respected, and empowered. This award recognizes those who actively dismantle barriers to inclusion, promote understanding across diverse identities, and champion equity through impactful educational initiatives, dedicated advocacy, and visionary leadership. By highlighting these efforts, we aim to inspire continued commitment to building a truly inclusive and equitable community.

To honor and celebrate an advisor who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and impact in fostering student success. This award recognizes an individual who goes beyond the fundamental requirements of advising, acting as a true mentor, guide, and advocate. They create a supportive and empowering environment, enabling students to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. By recognizing these outstanding contributions, we aim to highlight the vital role of effective advising and inspire a culture of excellence in student support throughout our institution.

This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to service within both the United Sorority & Fraternity Council (USFC) and the Panhellenic Council (CPA) and who has shown significant personal and organizational growth through their involvement. This award will be given to one member of USFC and one member of CPA.

This prestigious award recognizes a student organization that has exemplified exceptional dedication to service, making a profound and lasting impact on both the Stanislaus State campus and the greater Central Valley community. The recipient organization will have demonstrated a sustained commitment to philanthropy, leadership, and community engagement throughout the academic year.

The Spirit of Titus Award recognizes an outstanding student leader who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to positively transforming campus culture through dedicated service. This award honors students who, like Titus, embody unwavering dedication, integrity, and a proactive approach to fostering a more inclusive, supportive, and vibrant campus environment.

Awardees

The Catalyst for Equity and Justice Award: Richard Stoeckl
The Community Impact Award: Elizabeth Llamas
Greek Excellence Award: Michael Angel
Inclusive Excellence Award: Rajveer Kaur
Outstanding Advisor: Dr. Gary Williams
Outstanding Service to USFC and CPA: Marissa Gutierrez & Tranjeet Singh
President's Trophy or Outstanding Organizational Service: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Spirit of Titus Award: Jordain Johnson

Former Award Descriptions

Awarded to the student organization with the most impressive philanthropic service record for the year which demonstrates dedicated leadership and service to the university or community and the membership has made service an integral part of their college experience. This might be demonstrated through activities and partnerships with other campus groups or community organizations and/or high levels of personal engagement on the part of the membership. The organization that receives this award will have sponsored a community service program that contributed to the broader mission of Stanislaus State and encouraged students to engage in service beyond one experience.

This award is designed to recognize a member of a fraternity or sorority who has demonstrated emerging leadership in the organization, a commitment to developing their leadership ability and has exceeded the expectations of the membership of the organization.

There is evidence that the nominee has taken action to further develop their leadership skills, perhaps through training, research or other skill development opportunities.
The student shows promise in further development; there is evidence to support they will continue to develop leadership skills that will benefit their student organization and the Stan State community.
The nominee has performed well above the standard level of a first-year member in a student organization.
Demonstrates exceptional leadership within a student organization; the nominee doesn’t have to hold a position, but rather is a leader in their actions, values and commitment to the organization’s mission.
The nominee must be in their 1st or 2nd year at Stan State (Freshman, Sophomore, Transfer) and currently enrolled.

This award is intended to recognize a member of the Fraternity & Sorority Life community who also is an outstanding member of other student organizations on campus.

Student demonstrates a commitment to the values that unite all Greek organizations: Scholarship, Friendship, Service and Leadership.
Incorporates their fraternal values into positive change that benefits their student organization and/or the Stan State community.
Exhibits significant additional involvement beyond the Greek community.
Exceptional leadership within their own chapter or the Greek community
The nominee doesn’t have to hold a position but rather is a leader in their actions, values and commitment to mission.

This award will be given to an organization or individual that demonstrates outstanding efforts toward educating, encouraging and promoting diversity on campus. The organization or individual must meet the following criteria:

Promoting and encouraging the importance of diversity within and between people of varying ethnic or religious backgrounds, socioeconomic status and sexual orientation on campus.
Raising awareness that will educate others on acceptance of individual differences.
Demonstrates leadership by embracing diversity concepts and values.

This award is designed to recognize students who have demonstrated dedication and leadership through their involvement in one or more campus activities. They exhibited the following:

Leadership qualities: establishing and achieving goals, motivating and involving others.
Campus and community service: active involvement with co-curricular and non-academic activities and groups.
Demonstration of high personal standards and values: honesty, integrity and courage.
Personal contributions to campus and community programs.

**Self-nominations will NOT be accepted.

The purpose of this award is to recognize a graduating senior or graduate student who has delivered volunteer services to communities, groups and/or individuals, and positively impacted the lives and humanity of others. The length, breadth, scope and type of service will be reviewed.

**Self-nominations are not accepted.

This award is presented to a student or organization who has demonstrated a strong dedication to social change at Stanislaus State and the local community through various platforms, projects or initiatives. They have worked to advance the University and community culture by advocating for social justice and exemplifying a commitment to service and the promotion of justice for the marginalized.

Social Justice is evaluated based on efforts to educate people on social justice issues on campus and/or community and has shown evidence of a significant impact on addressing power, privilege and discrimination to foster inclusiveness and a socially just society.
Diversity is evaluated based on efforts to improve the campus climate by working on and promoting initiatives that increase the campus community’s understanding of diversity (i.e., cultures; values; beliefs; experiences; perceptions) and provide opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges.
Equity is evaluated based on efforts to create and sustain equitable practices from recognized differences and needs of individuals or groups within organizations, groups, committees or boards.

Awarded to a member of the Stanislaus State faculty, administration or staff who demonstrated the greatest commitment and service to developing student leadership on campus or in the community during the year. Level of dedication and length, breadth, scope and type of contribution will be considered.

Past Awardees

Most Improved Organization: Black Student Union
Most Spirited Organization: Gaming Club at Stan State
Outstanding Student Organization: Phi Mu Fraternity
President's Trophy: Indigenous Students in Activism
Greek 360 Award: Camrynn Loveall
Most Promising New Greek Member: Conner La Rosa
Carol Burke Memorial Award: Destiny Suarez
Greatest Achievement Award: Nu Alpha Kappa
Judge and Alverta Hughes Humanitarian Award: Trent Murphy
Miriam V. and John L. Keymer Memorial Award: Carmen Gallardo
Outstanding Student Leader of the Year: Gianna Nunes
Student Organization Advisor of the Year: David R. Martin
ASI Diversity Awareness Award: Indigenous Students in Activism
Innovative Social Justice Response Award: Yaning Sun
Social Justice Advocacy Award: Project Rebound

Student Organization Awards

President’s Trophy: Peer Health Educators
Most Spirited Organization: Kappa Sigma Omicron-Omega
Most Improved Organization: Indigenous Students in Activism
Greek 360: Cynella Aghassi
Most Promising New Greek Member: Ivonne Paz

Diversity and Social Justice Awards

ASI Diversity Awareness Award: ISA: Indigenous Students in Activism
Innovative Social Justice Response Award: ISA: Indigenous Students in Activism
Social Justice Advocacy: Karlos Marquez

Campus Awards

Judge and Alverta Hughes Humanitarian Award: Britney Patiu
Carol Burke Memorial Award: Jose Navarro
Miriam V. and John L. Keymer Memorial Award: Angelica Maghinay
Student Empowerment Award: Julie Anaya

Distinguished Awards

Outstanding Student Leader of the Year Award: Julian Johnson-Millan
Greatest Achievement: Kappa Sigma Omicron-Omega
Student Advisor of the Year Award: Dr. Gonul Schara (Warrior Chemistry Club)
Outstanding Student Organization: Eco Warriors

Student Advisor of the Year Award: Dr. Cueponca-xochitl Moreno Sandoval
Student Empowerment Award: Janice Herring
Outstanding Student Leader of the Year Award: Melanie Castellanos
Judge and Alverta Hughes Humanitarian Award: Gloria Vallin
Carol Burke Memorial Award: Teresa Serna
Miriam V. and John L. Keymer Memorial Award: Destiny Suarez
Greatest Achievement: N/A
Outstanding Student Organization: Black Student Union
President’s Trophy: Circle K
ASI Diversity Awareness Award: Gloria Vallin
Innovative Social Justice Response: Black Student Union
Social Justice Advocacy: Gloria Vallin
Most Spirited Organization: Black Student Union
Most Improved: Stockton Psychology Student Organization
Most Promising New Greek Member Award: Gisslle Morales
Greek 360 Award: Brenda Cisneros Salazar

Student Advisor of the Year Award: N/A
Student Empowerment Award: N/A
Outstanding Student Leader of the Year Award: Michael Rodriguez
Judge and Alverta Hughes Humanitarian Award: N/A
Carol Burke Memorial Award: Michael Rodriguez
Miriam V. and John L. Keymer Memorial Award: N/A
Greatest Achievement: Warriors Chemistry Club
Outstanding Student Organization: Warriors Chemistry Club
President’s Trophy: Peer Health Educators
ASI Diversity Awareness Award: Women's Soccer Team Social Justice Group
Most Spirited Organization: N/A
Most Improved: N/A

Student Advisor of the Year Award: Carolina Alfaro
Student Empowerment Award: Julie Fox
Outstanding Student Leader of the Year Award: Heather Friedberg
Judge and Alverta Hughes Humanitarian Award: Livier Camarena Sanchez
Carol Burke Memorial Award: Mishaye Vernerable
Miriam V. and John L. Keymer Memorial Award: Kevin Lorenti
Greatest Achievement: Gloria Vallin
Outstanding Student Organization: Sociology Club
President’s Trophy: Peer Health Educators
ASI Diversity Awareness Award: Progressive Alliance
Most Spirited Organization: Market, Inc.
Most Improved: Computer Science Club

Outstanding Student Organization: Democratic Party
Most Improved: Sociology Club
Most Spirited: Warrior Cheer Team
Greatest Achievement: STEM Ambassador Program
Student Organization Advisor of the Year: Gabriela Nuno
President's Trophy: M.E.Ch.A
Outstanding Student Leader of the Year: Caitlyn Turner
Carol Burke Memorial Award: Aleta Mascorro
Miriam V. & John L. Keymer Memorial Award: Melissa Gutierrez
Judge and Alverta Hughes Humanitarian Award: Micah Robinson
Student Empowerment Award: Dr. Xamuel Banales
ASI Diversity Awareness: Love Evolution and Mishaye Venerable

Outstanding Student Organization: Peer Health Educators
Most Improved: Majed Almutairi
Most Spirited: Black Student Union
Greatest Achievement: Shakti International
Student Organization Advisor of the Year: Michele Gordon
President's Trophy: Phi Lambda Rho
Outstanding Student Leader of the Year: Nicole Larson
Carol Burke Memorial Award: Margrette Gouda (Rita)
Miriam V. & John L. Keymer Memorial Award: Ernesto Rodriguez / Jaqueline Cervantes
Judge and Alverta Hughes Humanitarian Award: Elizabeth Zafra / Nathaniel Romo
Student Empowerment Award: Viji Sundar
ASI Diversity Awareness: Stephanie Landeros

Outstanding Student Organization: Student Athlete Advisory Committee
Most Improved: Theta Chi
Most Spirited: Phi Sigma Sigma
Greatest Achievement: Chelsea Lewandowski
Student Organization Advisor of the Year: Frank Borrelli
President's Trophy: Peer Health Education
Outstanding Student Leader of the Year: Jing Lee
Carol Burke Memorial Award: Morgan Roots
Miriam V. & John L. Keymer Memorial Award: Katie Alosi
Judge and Alverta Hughes Humanitarian Award: Consuelo Hernandez
Student Empowerment Award: Dr. Elvin Alemon
ASI Diversity Awareness: Jordan Elize

Outstanding Student Organization: American Chemical Society
Most Improved: Masters of Social Work
Most Spirited: Tau Kappa Epsilon
Greatest Achievement: Jose Diaz
Student Organization Advisor of the Year: Brent Powell
President's Trophy: Alpha Xi Delta
Outstanding Student Leader of the Year: Chelsea Lewandowski
Carol Burke Memorial Award: Lelaine Geyser
Miriam V. & John L. Keymer Memorial Award: Nina Feretti
Judge and Alverta Hughes Humanitarian Award: Brandon DInh
Student Empowerment Award: Frank Borrelli

Updated: March 30, 2026

Student Leadership Awards

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