UT Tyler Leadership & Service Awards

Join us for the 19th annual Leadership and Service awards! This UT Tyler tradition recognizes students, staff, faculty, and organizations for their leadership and commitment to UT Tyler.

All nominees must abide by UT Tyler’s policies and procedures and maintain a professional and respectful relationship with UT Tyler faculty and staff. Self-nominations are accepted. Persons may receive and be nominated for more than one award. Questions? Email leadserve@uttyler.edu

Nominations open: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Nominations close: Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Dr. Robert Jones Leadership Award

The Dr. Robert Jones Leadership Award will be given to a currently enrolled UT Tyler student who demonstrates leadership, academic excellence, and meets the criteria listed below. Nominee must: have completed at least 24 undergraduate or 18 graduate hours at UT Tyler; demonstrate leadership at UT Tyler through student organization leadership, service and program or committee involvement; and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.

Dr. Jones served at The University of Texas at Tyler as vice president for administration and as chief student affairs officer from 1984 - 1994, Bob resumed full-time graduate teaching in 1994, as professor in higher education leadership at UT-Tyler. He retired in 2000 as professor emeritus. He has been honored by UT-Tyler as the namesake of the Robert L. Jones Student Leadership Award, an annual honor bestowed on an outstanding, peer-selected student leader.

Emerging Leader Award

Nominee must: demonstrate the potential to be a continued leader on the UT Tyler campus; be involved in at least one campus organization recognized by the Department of Student Engagement; must be a new member in a student organization for less than one (1) year; have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Legacy Award

Nominee must: be completing their undergraduate or graduate degree in 2025 (May, Summer, or December) have been involved in at least two campus organizations recognized by the Department of Student Engagement; have held an elected officer position in at least one campus organization for at least three months; have experience serving as a mentor to other students; demonstrate the potential to be a continued leader after graduation; and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Outstanding Freshman Award

Nominee must: be a current first-year freshman; have demonstrated involvement on campus through organizations, programs through an academic department (i.e. Honors, special projects), or on-campus employment; have at least a cumulative GPA of 2.5

Outstanding Sophmore Award

Nominee must: be a current sophmore; have demonstrated involvement on campus through organizations, programs through an academic department (i.e. Honors, special projects), or on-campus employment; have at least a cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Outstanding Junior Award

Nominee must: be a current junior; have demonstrated involvement on campus through organizations, programs through an academic department (i.e. Honors, special projects), or on-campus employment; have at least a cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Outstanding Student Organization Advisor

Nominee must: have been the advisor of a student organization recognized by the Department of Student Engagement for at least one semester; be effective at motivating and encouraging the students of the organization; demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to supporting the students of the organization; and serve as a mentor and encourage achievement of organizational goals.

Outstanding Student Organization Member

Nominee must: have been an active member or officer (other than President) of a student organization recognized by the Department of Student Engagement for more than one semester; help the organization achieve its mission through participation in most, if not all, of the organization's events; demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to improving the organization; and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Outstanding Student Organization President

Nominees must: have been the current president or office of a similar standing of a student organization recognized by the Department of Student Engagement for more than one semester; demonstrate and share positive leadership skills to their student organization; motivate individual members of the organization to impact the campus in a positive manner; and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Patriot Student Mentoring Program Mentor of the Year

Nominee must: Be a current mentor in the Patriot Student Mentoring Program for the 2024 - 2025 school year; demonstrate leadership, empathy, and support to their student mentee.

Program of the Year

Nominated program must: have been hosted by a student organization recognized by the Department of Student Engagement and not funded in full by Student Service Fees (funds awarded by SGAC for events do not count against organization); have all appropriate paperwork for the event on file with the Department of Student Engagement have been a program that demonstrated originality and innovation; have been effectively implemented and open to all students; and have significantly enhanced student life at UT Tyler.

Greek Member(s) of the Year

Nominee must: be an active member of a fraternity or sorority that is recognized by the Department of Student Engagement; represent their organization’s founding principles and values and demonstrate them in daily life; positively contribute to the advancement of their chapter, the fraternity/sorority community, and UT Tyler and; have a minimum GPA of 2.75.

Student Organization of the Year

Nominated organization must: be a recognized student organization with the Department of Student Engagement for both Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters and have not directly received Student Service Fee funding as a main source of their operating costs (funds awarded by SGAC for events do not count against organization); show school spirit by attending programs sponsored by other organizations; have contributed significantly and positively to campus life through its programs, activities, and other organizational efforts; and have achieved its mission, as reflected in its organization’s information (found on PatriotsEngage)