Leadership Awards

The Student Life Leadership Awards is an annual awards ceremony that celebrates members of the Ohio State community who demonstrate exceptional skills in leadership, advocacy, community engagement, and more. Over the past 65 years, The Ohio State University has recognized hundreds of students, advisors and organizations who demonstrate leadership skills, collaboration, and a commitment to the Ohio State community. The Ohio State Leadership Awards are sponsored by the Office of Student Life.   

Who is Eligible for Ohio State Leadership Awards? 

Any Ohio State student, faculty or staff member is eligible. You do not need to hold a formal title or leadership position in order to be recognized. Leadership Award judges focus more on learning, attitudes, action, and accomplishments than on previous awards or titles. In some cases, an award may be designed for specific students, faculty, or staff (example: Outstanding First Year, or Outstanding SEE Supervisor).  

Who Can Write Letters of Recommendation  

Some of our awards require letters of recommendation for the nominee. All letters of recommendation should be written/submitted by a current OSU faculty, staff, or student. Extremely rare exceptions may be given on a case by case basis. Applicants may not write their own letter of recommendation.  

An Important Statement About AI Usage

Applications, nominations, and letters of recommendation should not be written or edited with the assistance of any type of Artificial Intelligence service or platform. It is important that applicants, nominators, and recommenders utilize their own words when representing themselves and others. While AI can be a valuable tool in many other contexts, it should not be utilized in the creation of any documents or materials that are submitted as part of Leadership Awards. 

Leadership Awards - APPLICATIONS CLOSED

Applications for the 2026 Leadership Awards are now CLOSED! All applications/nominations were due Wednesday, January 28 by 11:59 pm. All letters of recommendation were due by Friday, January 30 at 11:59 pm. 

Annual Awards Given 

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS 

• Boehm Holistic Wellness Leadership Award (application or nomination; sponsored by the Student Wellness Center)

• Celena Irby Award  (application or nomination; sponsored by Student Life Disability Services)

• Community Engaged Leader Award (application or nomination) 

• Dean’s Leadership Award (application or nomination) 

• Dick Maxwell Award  (application or nomination; sponsored by Student Life Disability Services)

• Kaplan Humanitarian Award (application, resume, and recommendation letter) 

• Outstanding First-Year Student Award (application or nomination, resume, and recommendation letter) 

• Outstanding Senior Award (application, resume, and recommendation letter) 

• Outstanding Graduate/Professional Student Award (application or nomination, resume, and recommendation letter) 

• Outstanding Green Buckeye Award (application or nomination; sponsored by the Green Buckeyes Leadership Program)

• Outstanding Student Advocate Award (application or nomination; sponsored by Student Life Disability Services)

• Patricia M. Carlton Award (application or nomination; sponsored by Student Life Disability Services)

• Stanley D. Gottsegen Leadership Award (application, resume, and interview) 

• Oustanding Student Veteran Award (application or nomination; sponsored by Military and Veterans Services)

• Willie J. Young, Sr. Staff Impact Award (application or nomination; sponsored by the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement)

• Willie J. Young, Sr. Student Impact Award (application or nomination; sponsored by the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement) 

STUDENT ORGANIZATION AWARDS 

• Boehm Holistic Wellness Leadership Award 

• Student Organization of the Year (not application based) 

• Outstanding New Student Organization Award 

• Student Organization Excellence Awards (4) 

• Outstanding Student Organization Program 

• Outstanding Green Buckeyes – Sustainable Student Organization Award 

• Risk Reduction Leadership Award (sponsored by Risk and Emergency Management)

NOMINATION-BASED AWARDS 

• Outstanding Mentorship Awards (sponsored by Buckeye Leadership Fellows)

• Outstanding SEE Student Employee Award (sponsored by Buckeye Commons)

• Outstanding SEE Partner Award (sponsored by Buckeye Commons)

• Student Organization Emerging Leader Individual Contribution Award (sponsored by Student Activities)

• Student Organization Positional Leader Individual Contribution Award (sponsored by Student Activities)

• Student Organization Advisor Individual Contribution Award (sponsored by Student Activities)