Leadership Programs and Awards
Are you looking to explore what leadership opportunities are available to you as a UIC student? In this section, students will learn more about the opportunities provided by UIC’s Student Leadership and Civic Engagement office (SLCE) that are recommended for students to attend and programs offered through UIC Business.
Leadership Programs
- Programs offered by Student Leadership and Civic Engagement (SLCE)
- Programs offered by UIC Business
Awards
- UIC Business Excellence Awards
- Chancellor’s Student Service and Leadership Awards
- National Awards Received by our Student Organizations
Leadership Programs Heading link
UIC offers leadership programs for students to take advantage of through UIC’s Student Leadership and Civic Engagement (SLCE) office. Learn more about their programs that we encourage all UIC Business students to explore.
Leadership Programs Heading link
Co-Curricular Certificate Heading link
UIC offers students the opportunity to receive a UIC Co-Curricular Leadership Certificate. UIC Business students qualify for the certificate once they have taken BA100, BA 200, BA320. To receive the certificate, students will need to complete one item from the Sharing list of options and participate in Impact Day.
Co-Curricular Certificate Heading link
UIC Business hosted its 9th annual Business Leadership Retreat, bringing together student organization leaders to enhance various leadership skills. Throughout the event, students engaged in dynamic team-building exercises and practical real-world simulations aimed at refining their abilities to lead effectively in diverse professional settings.Additionally, the retreat featured an insightful presentation delivered by Alberto Jabiles Piller, Director at TransUnion, a valued corporate partner.
Student Leader of the Month Heading link
Student Leader of the Month Heading link
Know someone who is deserving of the title Student Leader of the Month? Complete a short application below. Nominations are anonymous and will be suitable for 3 months. If the nominee is not selected after that time period, a new nomination form must be filled out.
The Student Leader of the Month will receive:
A certificate alongside a feature on the UIC Business’ Instagram page, Douglass and University Hall digital screens, and Business Connect website.
ALL NOMINATIONS ARE DUE BY THE 15TH OF EACH MONTH.
UIC Business Annual Excellence Awards Ceremony Heading link
UIC Business held its inaugural Annual Excellence Awards Ceremony, featuring an evening of jazz-filled festivities to honor the remarkable achievements of business student organizations and leaders. Congratulations to our outstanding recipients, who were presented with engraved trophies and certificates, which will be showcased in the new trophy case situated in Douglas Hall.
The next Annual Excellence Awards Ceremony is Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in SCE Illinois Room from 5–7 PM.
2024 Student Organization Award Recipients
- New Student Organization of the Year: Black Students in Business (Top)
- Student Organization of the Year: Accounting Club (Bottom)
2024 Individual Award Recipients
- Emerging Student Leader of the Year: Quinn Basta (Left)
- Student Leader of the Year: Olamiji Fabamigbe (Middle)
- Student Organization Advisor of the Year: Kim Moon (Right)
UIC Business Excellence Awards Heading link
New Student Organization of the Year
QUALIFICATIONS:
- If your student org has been newly formed within 0-3 years, you can be considered for this award.
- The top scoring new student org, based on levels of achievement earned, will be recognized as New Student Organization of the Year.
- Runner ups will be awarded based on those who received Gold Standard.
- If your student organization wins this award between 0-3 years, your organization will not be able to win New Student Organization of the Year again.
PRIZES:
- A glass trophy that will be available on display in Douglass Hall.
- $500 towards a Chicago Catering Company order.
- Priority placement for student organization room reservations for the following academic year.
- UIC Business blog and social media feature.
- Featured on UIC Business website as an award winner.
- UIC Business photography services for signature on campus event of the organization (documenting event for 1.5 hours).
APPLICATION/DEADLINE:
Upload your presentation here by Sunday, March 23, 2025.
Before uploading, please make sure your file name includes your student org name. Please upload in file of PowerPoint or PDF.
Student Organization of the Year
QUALIFICATIONS:
- The top scoring student org, based on levels of achievement earned, will be recognized as Student Organization of the Year.
- Runner ups will be awarded based on those who received Gold Standard.
- If your student org won this award within 3 academic years, you will be eligible for this award in the 4th year since winning.
- If your student org won New Student Organization of the Year within 3 academic years, and are now eligible for Student Organization of the Year, you will not be qualified to receive this award until it’s been 4 years since winning your previous award.
PRIZES:
- A glass trophy that will be available on display in Douglass Hall.
- $500 towards a Chicago Catering Company order.
- Priority placement for student organization room reservations for the following academic year.
- UIC Business blog and social media feature.
- Featured on UIC Business website as an award winner.
- UIC Business photography services for signature on campus event of the organization (documenting event for 1.5 hours).
APPLICATION/DEADLINE:
Upload your presentation here by Sunday, March 23, 2025.
Before uploading, please make sure your file name includes your student org name. Please upload in file of PowerPoint or PDF.
Emerging Student Leader of the Year
QUALIFICATIONS:
- They must be a 1st/2nd year student to apply.
- Answer the UIC Business Areas of Excellence listed below.
- Provide a letter of recommendation from an officer, member, or advisor.
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN YOUR APPLICATION LETTER:
- Describe why you believe this individual is the most representative of the title Emerging Student Leader of the Year.
- How does this student go above and beyond to lead and support other students?
- What future plans does this student have to be involved as a student leader at UIC Business?
PRIZES:
- A glass trophy.
- UIC Business blog and social media feature.
APPLICATION/DEADLINE:
Upload your presentation here by Sunday, March 23, 2025.
Before uploading, please make sure your file name includes your student org name. Please upload in file of PowerPoint or PDF.
Student Leader of the Year
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Answer the UIC Business Areas of Excellence listed below.
- Provide a letter of recommendation from a faculty or staff member.
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN YOUR APPLICATION LETTER:
- Describe why you believe this individual is the most representative of the title Student Leader of the Year.
- How has this student been involved as a student leader at UIC?
- How has this student made a positive impact at UIC Business?
PRIZES:
- A glass trophy.
- UIC Business blog and social media feature.
APPLICATION/DEADLINE:
Upload your presentation here by Sunday, March 23, 2025.
Before uploading, please make sure your file name includes your student org name. Please upload in file of PowerPoint or PDF.
Student Org Advisor of the Year
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Student organization submits a letter of recommendation for their advisor.
- Quotes from multiple students and faculty/staff who work directly with the advisor are encouraged to include in your letter of recommendation.
- If you have received Student Org Advisor of the Year within 3 academic years, you will not be eligible to receive this award. Starting in the 4th academic year since winning the award you will be eligible to win this award.
PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR LETTER:
- Name of your advisor.
- Their title and department.
- How many years they have been advising your student organization.
- The reason you are nominating them.
PRIZES:
- A glass trophy.
- UIC Business blog and social media feature.
APPLICATION/DEADLINE:
Upload your presentation here by Sunday, March 23, 2025.
Before uploading, please make sure your file name includes your student org name. Please upload in file of PowerPoint or PDF.
UIC Business Student Org Awards – Levels of Achievement Heading link
The categories will be featured as either a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Standard award winner on the UIC Business Website.
Areas of Excellence
- Leadership
- Operations
- Programming and Member Engagement
- Business Alumni and Community Engagement
Based on your Points Earned (4100 points total) in the categories:
- A score of 90-100% will be considered Gold Standard
- A score of 80-89% will be considered Silver Standard
- A score of 70-79% will be considered Bronze Standard
Please provide documentation from May 2024 – April 2025
If the event has not happened by the application deadline, please submit evidence of its implementation including date of event, location, description of event, website, and number of students/alumni attending.
If your organization wins New Student Organization of the Year or Student Organization of the Year within 3 academic years and therefore your student organization does not qualify for these awards, it is encouraged to still submit an application and you may be eligible to receive a certificate of achievement for Gold, Silver, or Bronze standard.
Leadership
| Points | Information | Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | Student Org attended the Business Leadership Retreat in May 2024. | UIC Business Student Involvement team will review RSVP list. |
| 100 | Student Org held an executive board training/transition workshop for new officers. | Please provide evidence in the form of an agenda for the workshop/training/retreat and officers attended. |
| 100 | Student Org held a minimum of one retreat for officers each year. | Please provide the agenda for the retreat, including topics discussed, and the percentage of members/advisors/officers/new members (if applicable) in attendance. |
| 100 | Student Org has a defined list of goals for the year. | Please include a copy of the goals and a description how your student org has accomplished or worked towards accomplishing each goal. |
| 100 | Student Org has a means to identify emerging leaders, and provide them with resources and training to allow them to successfully transition into leadership positions within the student org. | Documents may include evidence of the selection process, and listing of programs designated for this purpose. |
| 100 | Student Org has an active faculty advisor. | Submit name, department at UIC Business, and email address. Additionally, submit agenda/minutes for meetings the faculty advisor attended and/or a letter from the faculty member describing the meetings or events they attended. |
| 100 | Student Org has officer positions in the following areas established. | Executive Board: Corporate Relations, Social Media and Marketing, Membership, and Alumni. Submit name and email address per position. Membership and alumni may be submitted as one person who works on both areas combined. However, corporate relations and social media/marketing should be occupied by two different students. |
Operations
| Points | Information | Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | The student org completed all requirements for registration as a student organization with the Center for Student Involvement by the designated deadline. | Please provide copy of confirmation email of student org being approved for the 2024-2025 registration period. |
| 100 | The student org holds regularly scheduled meetings, executive board meetings, and committee meetings. | Documentation may include calendar of these meetings, along with a list of those expected to attend, and a brief discussion of the type of topics covered. |
| 100 | The student org has a detailed operating budget that covers all student org operations and is approved by their advisor. | Documents may include a copy of the budget, along with evidence of approval from their advisor. |
| 100 | Student orgs has an up-to-date website. Your website should include general information, current activities, and links with how to join. | Provide screenshots of pages with the above requirements. |
| 100 | Student org has a strategy in place for how to use their social media platforms. | Examples include goals for what they want to be achieved, an outline for what will be posted by month, methods for implementation (i.e. stories, posts, which platforms to use). |
| 100 | Student org has a dedicated means to communicate with all members. | Examples include a listserv, newsletter, an app such as Slack, WhatsApp, GroupMe, etc. Documentation includes evidence of this method, and its use. |
| 100 | The student org prepares and distributes (by mail or electronically) a newsletter for alumni each semester. | Documentation would include a copy of the newsletter, and evidence of distribution. |
| 100 | The student org has an established means of communicating with alumni (listserv, LinkedIn, Facebook Group, GroupMe, WhatsApp, UIC Connected, etc.). | Documentation may include evidence of this method and its use. |
| 100 | The student org has an advisory board. | Documentation would include a list of advisors, along with full name and contact information for each advisor. |
| 100 | The student org provides a copy of graduating members on a semester basis (first name, last name, personal email address and UIN per semester. | Please include students who graduate in the summer as part of the fall report. |
| 50 points if the student org includes a screenshot of the number of members listed on UIC Connection + 50 points by generating an excel report and uploading the report to the slide = 100 points | Student org adds entire membership on UIC Connection. Please follow the instructions listed at: go.uic.edu/AddingMembers | --- |
| 100 | Student org holds annual elections in March 2025. | Documentation of elections taking place in March 2025 may include items such as an agenda, a flyer promoting your elections with the date/time listed, or a screenshot of your calendar with when elections are scheduled. |
| 100 | Student org lists all executive board members as officers on UIC Connection. | Documentation may include a screenshot of their officers page on UIC Connection. Note: More than 3 officers should be listed for points to be received, and officer position should be listed. |
| 100 points = 4 events, 75 points = 3 events, 50 points = 2 events, 25 points = 1 event, 0 points = 0 events | Student org uses “business” event tag on UIC Connection for their events. | Documentation includes a screenshot of 4 events where event tag is used. |
| 500 points = 5 events, 400 points = 4 events, 300 points = 3 events, 200 points = 2 events, 100 points = 1 event, 0 points = 0 events | Student org tracks attendance of events on UIC Connection. To track event attendance, please follow the instructions listed at: go.uic.edu/TrackEventAttendance | Documentation of tracking events on UIC Connection includes a screenshot per event with reported attendance by check-in. |
Programming and Member Engagement
| Points | Information | Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | A detailed and published calendar of events. | Documentation would include a copy of the calendar. |
| 100 | Student org holds a fun and unique event for their members. | Documentation may include evidence of the event occurring such as photos, agenda, goals of the program, date/time/location, and description of the event. |
| 100 | Student Org attends or cosponsors UIC Business programs and meetings. This includes, but is not limited to welcome week, Mastering Networking workshop, IGNITE, BCC events, or other events when asked for co-sponsorship. | Provide marketing used to promote the event that includes mention of co-sponsorship. |
| 100 (Based on percentage of members who participated in one of these programs) | Student Org promotes and participates in campus-based leadership programming (outside of UIC Business programming – i.e. LeaderShape, Day of Service, MLK Student Leadership Conference etc.). | Documentation includes description of programs, and evidence of attendance/participation. |
| 100 | Student organization holds a specific event that is targeted only at graduate students. | Documentation may include evidence of the event occurring, such as photos, agenda, goals of the program, date/time/location, and description of the event. Student organizations that exclusively recruit undergraduate students or graduate students, but not both, will earn points automatically if they note on the slide that their membership only recruits undergraduate or graduate students. |
| 100 | Student organization holds an online event for members and students in online programs to participate in. | Documentation may include evidence of the event occurring, such as photos, agenda, goals of the program, date/time/location, and description of the event. |
Business Alumni and Community Engagement
| Points | Information | Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | The student org holds an annual event for alumni. | Documentation of this may include a description of the event, and evidence of its implementation. If the event has not happened by the application deadline, please submit evidence including date of event, location, description of event, and how many alumni are anticipated to attend. |
| 100 | Student Org attends programs presented or sponsored by a company or their parent organization (if applies). | This may include conventions, leadership programs, etc. Documentation may include evidence of attendance, along with an agenda of topics covered. If the event has not happened by the application deadline, please submit evidence including date of event, location, and description of event. |
| 100 | Members attend and participate in a site visit in Chicago or other cities. | --- |
| 100 | Members attend and participate in an event with a Corporate Partner to UIC Business. | --- |
| 100 | Members attend and participate in Business Community Engagement in Chicago or in other cities. | Documentation of this may include a description of the program and evidence of its implementation. Examples include CME Case Competition, Bloomberg Case Competition, Accenture Student Leadership Program, Deloitte National Leadership Conference, etc. |
| 4 thank you cards/emails from 4 different events = 100 points, points, 3 thank you cards/emails from 3 different events = 75 points, 2 thank you cards/emails from 2 different events = 50 points, 1 thank you card/email from 1 different event = 25 points | The student org thanks their guest speakers for taking time out of their day to meet with their members. | Documentation of this may include a thank you card or email. Provide a picture of the thank you card (inside of the card) or email. Multiple photos from DIFFERENT events will earn you more points. |
Template for Excellence Awards
Chancellor Student Service Leadership Awards (CSSLA) Heading link
Since 1973, the Chancellor’s Student Service and Leadership Awards (CSSLA) ceremony has recognized outstanding student leaders and student volunteers who, while maintaining high academic achievement, demonstrate a commitment to the UIC community through participation in student organizations and campus activities and throughout the greater Chicagoland area through active service and community engagement.
This year’s ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in SCE Illinois Room from 5–7 PM. More information.
Past Business Student Org Winners Heading link
Past Business Student Org Winners
- Association of Latino Professionals for America – Student Org of the Year & Commitment to Diversity, April 2023
- American Marketing Association – Student Organization of the Year, April 2020
National Awards Heading link
- Association of Latino Professionals for America – Midwest Regional Chapter of the Year, August 2024
- Beta Gamma Sigma – Honors Chapter, September 2022 and 2024
- Informs – Student Chapter Annual Award for Magna Cum Laude Status, September 2023 and 2024
- Net Impact – Chapter of the Year finalist, 2019