Below are descriptions for awards being presented at the 2025 Student Leadership Awards. SLA will recognize up to 10 individuals and 8 organizations for this year's awards.
Awards reflect the outstanding work of VCU's student leaders and organizations between February 2024 through February 2025.
Advisor of the Year Award
Daniel Cordero-Laske Memorial Award
Dr. Richard I. Wilson University Service Award
FSL Member of the Year Award
FSL Outstanding Chapter President Award
Henry G. Rhone DSA Peer Leader Excellence Award
Outstanding Graduate / Professional Student Leader Award
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader Award
Rising Star Award
William H. Duvall Award
Chapter of the Year Award (FSL)
Commitment to Community Service Award
Commitment to Advocacy Award
Commitment to Well-Being Award
Outstanding Graduate / Professional Student Organization Award
Outstanding New Student Organization Award
Ram Pride Award
Student Organization of the Year Award
Advisor of the Year Award
This award recognizes an advisor that has shown dedication to their student organization over the past year. The successful advisor for this award should be an individual who has been committed to the organization and contributed to the organization's success. This could be demonstrated through helping organization members carry out mission and goals; providing guidance, support, and encouragement to members; being available to members and being approachable and open to new ideas; utilizing different and creative approaches to educating and assisting members; and serving as a positive role model.
Daniel Cordero-Laske Memorial Award
The Daniel Cordero-Laske Memorial Award serves as a tribute to an exceptional leader in the Student Government Association. At the age of 21, Daniel Cordero-Laske, a VCU Student and former SGA Senator, died after testing positive for Covid-19 in 2021. During his sophomore year he joined the Undergraduate Student Government Association at VCU where he then found a love of politics. He found his footing in giving back to the community by helping and volunteering at The Big Event, SGA’s annual spring event where they give back to the community. He found social justice an important part of his everyday life. He was named the “Social Justice Warrior” by his father because of his passion in medicine and politics. This award not only honors his legacy but commemorates those who fight for social change and those who make an impact to their community regardless of how big or small the change is.
Dr. Richard I. Wilson University Service Award
The Dr. Richard I. Wilson University Service Award is presented to a VCU student who has provided outstanding service and commitment to university committees, student organizations and/or the Richmond community.
Criteria: 2.5 cumulative GPA (3.0 cumulative GPA for graduate students).
FSL Member of the Year Award
The FSL Member of the Year Award recognizes a junior or senior member of a FSL chapter at VCU. The nomination includes questions to complete. For complete details about this award, please refer to the nomination form.
FSL Outstanding Chapter President Award
This award was designed to recognize outstanding contributions from a fraternity and sorority chapter president. Each chapter may nominate their chapter president for this award.There is a section for the nominee to complete, and a section for the chapter to complete.
For complete details about this award, please refer to the nomination form.
Henry G. Rhone DSA Peer Leader Excellence Award
The DSA Peer Leader Excellence award is awarded to a peer leader within the Division of Student Affairs who has gone above and beyond to develop and engage their peers, has contributed to the success of their department and the division, and has provided distinguished service to the Division through their peer leadership and involvement.
Students must be in good academic standing to be considered. This is open to all DSA peer leader positions, regardless of experience or years in the position.
Outstanding Graduate / Professional Student Leader Award
The Outstanding Graduate / Professional Student Leader Award is awarded to a graduate or professional student peer leader who has gone above and beyond to develop and engage their peers and who has contributed to the success of their department and/or division.
Graduate and professional students must be in good academic standing to be considered. This is open to all graduate and professional student leaders, regardless of experience or years in the position.
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader Award
The Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader Award is awarded to an undergraduate student leader who has gone above and beyond to develop and engage their peers and who has contributed to the success of their organizations.
Students must be in good academic standing to be considered. This is open to all undergraduate student leaders, regardless of experience or years in the position.
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award is presented to an undergraduate student who has provided distinguished service in their first leadership role(s) at VCU and demonstrated a potential for continued leadership.
Students must be in good academic standing to be considered.
William H. Duvall Award
This award is presented to students who have provided exemplary service, beyond normal expectations, in student activities and/or student organizations.
Chapter of the Year Award (FSL)
The successful advisor for this award should be an individual who has been committed to the organization and contributed to the organization's success. This could be demonstrated through helping organization members carry out mission and goals; providing guidance, support, and encouragement to members; being available to members and being approachable and open to new ideas; utilizing different and creative approaches to educating and assisting members; and serving as a positive role model.
Commitment to Community Service Award
The Daniel Cordero-Laske Memorial Award serves as a tribute to an exceptional leader in Student Government Association.
Commitment to Advocacy Award
The Commitment to Advocacy Award is presented to a student organization who has made significant contributions to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment. The award aims to highlight efforts in promoting advocacy, education, and community engagement.
Commitment to Well-Being Award
The Commitment to Well-Being Award is presented to a student organization who has made meaningful contributions to promoting mental, physical, and emotional well-being within the university community. The organization inspires a culture of care, encouraging others to prioritize well-being in their daily lives.
Outstanding Graduate & Professional Student Organization Award
This award recognizes a graduate or professional student organization that has made a significant contribution to the VCU community through programming, special initiatives and/or community service
Outstanding New Student Organization Award
This award recognizes a new student group who has demonstrated significant success and development in following the mission and goals of their organization. Student organizations applying for this award must have started in the Spring of 2024, the Fall of 2024 or the Spring of 2025.
Ram Pride Award
The Ram Pride Award is presented to a student organization who has demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm and pride in supporting the VCU community. This award celebrates efforts to foster unity and active participation in campus events, activities, and traditions. Through honoring these contributions, the organization aims to inspire a vibrant and connected campus culture that encourages lasting school spirit.
Student Organization of the Year Award
The Student Organization of the Year Award is awarded to an organization who has demonstrated excellence in organization development, leadership, service, and membership engagement.
