Student Leader Awards
Each semester during Celebration of Achievement, the Office of University Life presents several student leader awards to celebrate student and faculty/staff advisor accomplishments over the last semester. Like the Distinguished Quill Awards in Fairfax, awards are given to leaders and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional development and impact on the Mason community. This is the highest honor student organizations can receive, and it includes recognition from top university administrators.
We will accept self-nominations and nominations for other organizations and individuals.
Please check this page for details regarding the upcoming Fall 2025 ceremony and nomination process. Awards will be given to those with outstanding achievements.
For questions about the Student Leader Awards: Student Involvement (mkul@gmu.edu).
Spring 2025 Nominees and Winners
The Distinguished Rising Leader Award
The Distinguished Rising Leader Award is an honor bestowed upon a Mason Korea student who has exhibited an outstanding commitment to leadership, academics and service during their first or second year at George Mason University Korea.
Award Criteria
- Demonstrates a record of outstanding service, leadership and academic achievement while providing service and leadership to the campus community throughout their first or second year at Mason Korea.
- Continuously makes meaningful contribution to the students, the University and the surrounding community
- Demonstrates on-going flexibility, initiative, creativity and perseverance in efforts
- Engages others in a manner that acknowledges their dignity
- Makes themselves available to group members and includes others in decision making
- Able to articulate and share a vision
- Leads with integrity
The Distinguished Senior Leader Award
The Distinguished Senior Leader Award is an honor bestowed upon a Mason Korea student who has exhibited an outstanding commitment to leadership, academics and service during their third+ year at George Mason University Korea.
Award Criteria
- Demonstrates a record of outstanding service, leadership and academic achievement while providing service and leadership to the campus community throughout their first or second year at Mason Korea.
- Continuously makes meaningful contribution to the students, the University and the surrounding community
- Demonstrates on-going flexibility, initiative, creativity and perseverance in efforts
- Engages others in a manner that acknowledges their dignity
- Makes themselves available to group members and includes others in decision making
- Able to articulate and share a vision
- Leads with integrity
Community Engagement Award
The Community Engagement Award is presented to a student whose dedication and commitment to community engagement (active participation with individuals/organizations and through events, services, programs) has had a positive impact.
Award Criteria
- Is actively involved in a Mason Korea organization
- Strives to build partnerships between Mason Korea and the greater community
- Demonstrates community engagement and Mason Korea spirit
- Consistently strives to make positive impacts on Mason Korea and the surrounding community
University Life Award
The University Life Award is presented to a student who, through their leadership and initiative, has contributed to university-wide efforts to build a sense of community at Mason Korea.
Award Criteria
- Made a significant impact on the Mason Korea community
- Influenced the development and mentoring of future leaders of Mason Korea
- Inspires and brings out the strengths and talents of others
United Nations Scholarship Award
The United Nations Scholarship Award is presented to students selected to represent Mason Korea through participation in a distinguished global leadership program held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
This award recognizes students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to international engagement. As part of the program, students travel to the UN Headquarters to deepen their understanding of the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They collaborate with fellow participants to develop policy proposals and present their ideas on global issues—gaining invaluable insight into careers in international organizations.
Award Criteria
- Demonstrates strong academic performance
- Has shown meaningful involvement in SDG-related activities or global initiatives
- Possesses the ability to represent Mason Korea with integrity and professionalism on a global stage
- Contributes positively to the Mason Korea community and its development
- Exhibits a clear commitment to global citizenship, leadership, and service
RA of the Semester
The RA of the Semester Award recognizes one exceptional Resident Assistant who has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the residential experience at Mason Korea. This award celebrates an RA who has consistently shown dedication, leadership, and a genuine commitment to supporting their residents, building community, and contributing to the overall success of IGC Housing.
What makes this award especially meaningful is that it is voted on by the residents themselves. The recipient is chosen based on the positive influence they’ve had in the eyes of those they served—making this award not just a recognition of excellence, but also a reflection of the deep appreciation and trust from the student community.
Collaborative Spirit Award
The Collaborative Spirit Award is presented to two or more student organizations.
Award Criteria
- Outstanding team effort in planning a program
- Successful goal setting and achievement through collaborative and cooperative efforts
- Positive development for individual members of all involved organizations
- Impact on and enhancement of the Mason community
- And organizations involved must have purposes that are not substantially complementary of each other
Patriot Innovation Award
The Patriot Innovation Award is presented to a student organization that has created a program series which introduced new ideas and activities to the Mason community.
Award Criteria
- Engaged students in unique learning settings
- Included the needs/concerns of diverse populations
Community Enrichment Award
The Community Enrichment Award is presented to a student organization program or program series, which actively reinforced the importance of academic learning/scholarship.
Award Criteria
- Addressed the individual differences of student learning
- Engaged students in active learning
- Encouraged active reflection
- Introduced thought-provoking topics and ideas
- Enhanced the learning environment at Mason
Student Organization of the Semester Award
The Student Organization of the Semester Award is presented to a Mason Korea student organization whose activities, events, and programs have had a significant impact on the quality of campus life at Mason Korea. The recipient organization demonstrates quality leadership attributes, is actively engaged in campus life and promotes student involvement.
Award Criteria
- Demonstrates commitment to the organization’s purpose and those served by it
- Effectively advances the mission and goals of the organization
- Actively makes meaningful contributions to student life, the university, and surrounding community
- Actively collaborates with other student organizations, departments and/or community partners
- Organizes activities, events, and programs that have a significant impact on the quality of campus life
Student Organization Advisor of the Semester Award
The Student Organization Advisor of the Semester Award is presented to a faculty/staff advisor who has exhibited outstanding leadership and service to a recognized Mason Korea student organization.
Award Criteria
- Allowed students to take responsibility for the direction of the organization while providing advice, encouragement and support
- Values diversity and encourages respect for differences among students and student groups
Engaged Faculty Award
The Engaged Faculty Award is presented to a faculty member who through the Faculty-Student Engagement Program (FSEP) engaged students in meaningful and impactful ways outside the scope of the academic curriculum.
Award Criteria
- Hosted an outing as part of the Faculty-Student Engagement Program in the awarded semester
- Showed exceptional commitment to providing advice, encouragement and support to students beyond coursework
- Regularly displays a willingness to develop relationships with students in an advising/mentoring capacity