WSU Tri-Cities

Student Excellence Awards

Student Excellence Awards

The purpose of the Student Excellence Awards is to recognize the outstanding leadership and achievements of WSU Tri-Cities’ student organizations, students, and advisors. The awards ceremony is hosted by the Office of Student Engagement & Leadership. 

Nominations are due April 2, 2023.

Eligibility

Must be a current student, faculty or staff of WSU Tri-Cities to be eligible for any of the awards listed below.

Timeline

2023 Week of Excellence Student Awards tentative timeline:

Monday, Feb. 27: Nominations/applications open
Sunday, April 2: Nominations/applications close
Friday, April 28: Evening of Excellence Awards Ceremony

Committee Members

  • Mackenzie Noyola, Advising
  • Laura Sanchez, Student Services
  • Paola Ruiz, TRIO Student Success Programs
  • TBD, Student Representative
  • TBD, Faculty Representative

Questions

Have questions regarding the WSU Tri-Cities Week of Excellence Student Awards? Please contact Evelyn Martinez, Assistant Director of Student Engagement & Leadership at evelynmtz@wsu.edu.

Awards List

Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Career in Leadership

This award recognizes the career of a graduating student who has made significant contributions to the campus community year after year. This student has demonstrated excellence in campus and community engagement and academic achievement. Their contribution to the WSU Tri-Cities community through leadership and participation in campus programs, organizations, and activities will have a lasting impact beyond their time at WSU Tri-Cities.

Student Leader of the Year

This award recognizes a student leader who has demonstrated excellence in campus and community engagement and has contributed to the WSU Tri-Cities community through their leadership and participation in campus programs, organizations, and activities this academic year.

Student Employee of the Year

The student employee of the year award goes to a student worker who has gone above and beyond the call of duty for their on-campus job. Nominees must have at least a 2.0 GPA and demonstrates outstanding work ethic, professionalism, and exhibits high quality of work. (ASWSUTC positions will not be considered for this recognition).

Cougar Image Award

This award recognizes a student leader who embodies the WSU Cougar Spirit. This individual promotes spirit on campus and consistently supports student programs through participation. This student has gone above and beyond the call of duty to improve the quality of student life at WSU Tri-Cities.

Crimson Spotlight

This award shines a Crimson Spotlight on a student leader that isn’t always recognized for their amazing contributions to their student organization and/or campus community. This student works hard behind the scenes and inspires individuals to become better leaders and by doing so has made our campus a better place.

Student Organization of the Year

Student organizations at WSU Tri-Cities make great contributions to the campus environment. They connect students through social, academic, professional, cultural and special interest outlets. They also provide leadership opportunities and hands-on experience for their members. The Student Organization of the Year recognizes a student org for their contribution to campus and to their members. 

Leaders in Action Award

This award recognizes an organization that has placed a strong emphasis on leadership development and transformational student involvement beyond the classroom.

Event/Program of the Year

This award recognizes an event/program for students, coordinated by a student organization that has impacted the campus community and/or engaged students in a positive manner. This program must have taken place April 1, 2021 – April 3, 2022.

Student Organization Advisor of the Year

This award recognizes a faculty or staff member currently serving as a student organization advisor who has been a visible and integral part to the success of the student organization by providing continuous support, empowering students to take initiative, and contributing to the growth and development of individual students in the organization.

Previous Winners

2020

Chancellor’s Student Leader of the Year | Evan Foraker

Crimson Spotlight Award | Sauri Garcia

Cougar Image Award | Jose Mejia & Steffany Sanchez

Student Employee of the Year | Ashley Finnestad – Lab Manager, Cheeke Soil Microbial Ecology Lab

Club of the Year | Dreamers Club

Leaders in Action Award | Coding Cougs

Event of the Year | Beeswax Wraps – Environmental Club

Club Advisor of the Year | Gloria Van Egdom – Dreamers Club Advisor
2021

Chancellor’s Student Leader of the Year | Stephanie Warner

Student Organization Advisor of the Year | Jennifer Silva-Gutierrez (Cougs LEAD)

Cougar Image Award | Maria Fernanda Vargas

Crimson Spotlight Award | Brenda Ixta

Student Organization of the Year | Crimson Scrubs

Program of the Year | CougPack Program (SEB)

Student Employee of the Year | Kyle Kopta

Student Employee of the Year | Timothy Duenas

2022

Student Employee of the Year | Anmol Hothi

Student Organization Advisor of the Year | Stephanie Warner

Cougar Image Award | Isaac Marroquin

Crimson Spotlight Award | Maksim Karazhbei

Student Organization of the Year | Critical Care Student Nurses Association

Student Organization Event of the Year | Dreamers Club (Dia De Los Muertos)

Student Leader of the Year | Reem Osman

Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Career in Leadership | Nathaly Mendoza and Josiah Cantu