Leadership Programs and Awards

The image shows four people seated in a row, facing left, with their faces blurred. They are dressed in business casual clothing, and the background features exposed pipes and beams with natural light coming from the left.

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

  • Student Leader of the Month
  • Business Badges
  • UIC Business Excellence Awards
  • Chancellor’s Student Service and Leadership Awards
  • National Awards Received by our Student Organizations

Leadership Programs

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.

Co-Curricular Certificate

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.

Student Leader of the Month

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.

Application

Student Leader of the Month Recipients

Student Leader of the Month: June 2026
Monday, June 1, 2026
Student Leader of the Month: May 2026
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Student Leader of the Month: April 2026
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
More Recipients

Business Badges

UIC Business is introducing Business Badges: digital credentials students can earn by developing key professional skills. These badges are based on the core competencies identified by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as essential for career readiness.

Students can earn up to seven badges, each of which can be demonstrated in a variety of ways. This includes the following badges:

1. Career & Self-Development        5. Professionalism

2. Communication                                6. Teamwork

3. Critical Thinking                               7. Technology

4. Leadership

How to Earn Badges

How students can earn Business Badges:

Career & Self-Development

Career & Self-Development Badge

Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization.

Students MUST complete their profiles on Handshake, LinkedIn, AND UIC Connected &…

  1. Update your Handshake profile (INCLUDING a professional-looking photo and having these sections filled out: a) summary, b) major/degree program, c) anticipated graduation year, and d) at least 1 skill listed, 1 work experience listed, and 1 organization listed. The remaining sections of education, courses, projects, and languages are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to be filled out, but are not required.)
  2. Create a LinkedIn Profile (INCLUDING a photo and having at least 3 sections filled out) and post something about your business student experience with the University of Illinois Chicago-College of Business Administration account tagged in the post.
  3. Create a profile on UIC Connected (connected.uic.edu) and join the UIC Business Informational Interviews group. (Note: it is ok if your status is pending to join the group.) Your profile should include a professional-looking photo, and the following sections completed: a) About Me, b) Major, c) Graduation Year, d) City, e) Hobbies, and f) your LinkedIn profile.

Students must complete TWO of the following to earn the Career & Self-Development badge:

  1. Complete a YouScience Assessment to help you find the right career path for you. This interactive tool will help you find your why, your path, and your purpose through understanding your aptitudes, interests and exploring your career options. (Note: To get started, please contact Andrea Jimenez at the Business Career Center at ajimen30@uic.edu to take the assessment.)
  2. Reach out to an alum via LinkedIn or UIC Connected (connected.uic.edu), and request an informational interview/coffee chat (virtual or in-person) with them. Do NOT ask faculty/staff or parents/siblings/family who are alums for an interview. (Not sure what questions to ask? Use our questions to get started.)Attend a UIC Business or business student org event featuring a guest speaker, keynote, alum, or business professional, or a networking event.
  3. Complete a job-simulation (UNDER 3 HOURS LONG) via Forage, a FREE resource where you can practice your skills and experience a day-in-the-life with real employers such as PwC, Goldman Sachs, PepsiCo, and more. Build your confidence and skills to get noticed by recruiters and ace applications.
  4. Attend a UIC Business or business student org event featuring a guest speaker, keynote, alum, or business professional, or a networking event.
  5. Attend a site visit.

 

 

 

Communication

Communication Badge

Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization. Understand the importance of and demonstrate verbal, written, and non-verbal/body language abilities.

Students MUST complete their Elevator Pitch &…

  1. Conduct an elevator pitch with a UIC Business Career Coach on Handshake → Career Center → Appointments and select “Communication Badge – Elevator Pitch”. Upload your confirmation of appointment.

Students must complete TWO of the following to earn the Communication badge:

  1. Draft an email where you would solicit someone for an informational interview
  2. Have your resume reviewed
  3. Attend a workshop about networking. This helps students learn more about how to network with others. (Note: To qualify for the badge, this MUST be a workshop, not a networking event.)
  4. Conduct a mock interview with a UIC Business Career Coach on Handshake → Career Center → Appointments and select “Communication Badge – Mock Interview”. Upload your confirmation of appointment.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking Badge

Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information. Make decisions and solve problems using sound, inclusive reasoning and judgment.

Students must complete ONE of the following to earn the Critical Thinking badge:

  1. Participates in a competition representing UIC
    • Examples:
      • CME Group University Trading Challenge
      • Amazon Hackathon
      • Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge
      • Accenture Case Competition
  2. Participates in a competition on campus
    • Example:
      • UIC Blaze Venture Challenge

Leadership

Leadership Badge

Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.

Students must complete ONE of the following to earn the Leadership badge:

  1. Takes a leadership role within a student organization
  2. Leads an initiative or program within an organization
  3. Participates as a Business Ambassador, First-Year Peer Mentor, or Finance Student Mentor
  4. Attends a Student Leadership and Civic Engagement (SLCE) workshop/program
    • Examples
      • Ignite
      • LeaderShape
      • Catalyst

Professionalism

Professionalism Badge

Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.

Students must complete TWO of the following to earn the Professionalism badge:

  1. Google Yourself. Search your name on Google and review what shows up. Make sure the results reflect a professional image — nothing inappropriate, offensive, or unprofessional should appear. Think: Would I want a recruiter or professor to see this? If anything concerning comes up, take steps to clean up your online presence (adjust privacy settings, untag yourself, or remove old content if possible).
  2. Attend a conference off-campus
    • Examples
      • ALPFA Annual Convention
      • AMA Collegiate Conference
  3. Complete a job-simulation (OVER 3 HOURS LONG) via Forage, a FREE resource where you can practice your skills and experience a day-in-the-life with real employers such as PwC, Goldman Sachs, PepsiCo, and more. Build your confidence and skills to get noticed by recruiters and ace applications.
    • Examples
      • EY Audit
      • Goldman Sachs Operations

Teamwork

Teamwork Badge

Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.

 Students must complete TWO of the following to earn the Teamwork badge:

  1. Participates in a collaborative volunteer or service project
  2. Participates in a team outside of a classroom assignment (e.g., sports team or student organization)
  3. Contribute to a cross-functional team project during an internship, on-campus job, or off-campus job

Technology

Technology Badge

Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.

Students MUST complete a Microsoft Excel certificate via LinkedIn Learning &…

  1. Students will need to complete a Microsoft Excel Course (Cert Prep: Excel Expert – 4 hours, 13 minutes) and upload a copy of their certificate.

 Students must complete ONE of the following to earn the Technology badge:

  1. Show proficiency via certification(s) in software specific to your major or degree. Students may use LinkedIn Learning for their certification.
    • Examples
      • AI or Machine Learning
      • AWS Cloud Practitioner
      • Enterprise Systems (Salesforce or SAP)
      • Google IT Support
      • Programming language (Python, JavaScript, R)
  2. Demonstrate how you improved the process for a business/client using digital tools (e.g., replacing a paper-based process with an online form, automating a manual process for client)

Apply Now!

UIC Business Annual Excellence Awards Ceremony

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 22, 2026, in SCE East Terrace from 5–7 PM. 

UIC Business Student Org Awards – Levels of Achievement

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 2025 – April 2026

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

Please provide specific information about student org programs focused on leadership development, and leadership roles of members. (1000 points)
Points Information Documentation
100 Student Org attended the Business Leadership Retreat in May 2025. 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

Please provide specific information about operations, finance, communication, organizational structure. (1200 points)
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 2025-2026 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 made up of alumni, business professionals, faculty, or staff. 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 2026. Documentation of elections taking place in March 2026 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

Please provide specific information about programs focused on assisting members in their academic careers. This section is for on-going member engagement, connecting to UIC Business and UIC. (600 points)
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

Please provide specific information about student org programs focused on leadership development, and leadership roles of members. (500 points)
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

Rubrics for Excellence Awards

UIC Business hosted its 10th 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 UIC alumna Karla Talley, Vice President of Learning and Development at Golin, a global public relations agency.

Chancellor Student Service Leadership Awards (CSSLA)

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 16, 2026, in SCE Illinois Room from 5–7 PM. More information.

Chancellor Dr. Marie Lynn Miranda giving a speech at the 2024 Chancellor Student Service Leadership Awards (CSSLA).
Chancellor Dr. Marie Lynn Miranda giving a speech at the 2024 Chancellor Student Service Leadership Awards (CSSLA)

Past Business Student Org Winners

  • American Marketing Association
    • Outstanding Student Organization of the Year, April 2020
  • Ascend at UIC for Pan-Asian Leaders
    • Commitment to Diversity Award, April 2025
  • Association of Latino Professionals for America
    • Outstanding Student Organization of the Year & Commitment to Diversity, April 2023
    • Outstanding Student Organization of the Year, April 2026 

National Awards

Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) winning Midwest Regional Chapter of the Year in August 2024
Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) winning Midwest Regional Chapter of the Year in August 2024
  • 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