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OSCARs Awards: The Big Three
Top Dawg
The Top Dawg Award is awarded to a student who has demonstrated multiple years of being actively engaged and willingly going above and beyond the call of duty in assisting organizations/departments, programs and events. Alongside their strong active presence on campus, they provide thoughtful insights and ideas, and create great relationships with UW Tacoma students, faculty, and staff.
An EXCELLENT Candidate for this award:
- Held and advanced a leadership position in a significant way and/or has held multiple leadership positions throughout campus
- Worked to advance the UW Tacoma community by supporting on-campus services and resources
- Worked to connect and build impactful relationships with students across many different interest areas, majors, programs, and more
- Provided mentorship and inspiration to UW Tacoma students
- Applied skills, abilities, and attributes developed in the classroom in out-of-the-classroom experiences
- Created a recognizable and positive impact as a UW Tacoma Husky student.
RSO of the Year
The Registered Student Organization of the Year award goes to an RSO that has excelled at building community. They put on events or programming that connect students to one another, help them grow, and advance their group’s unique point of view. A winner of this award can be described as having vision when it comes to the inclusion of students in the UW Tacoma community in a particular passion.
An EXCELLENT Candidate for this award:
- Creates engagement experiences throughout the year in the form of meetings, events, and activities for their members to participate in
- Affirms and emphasizes the expectations for Registered Student Organizations set by the Center for Student Involvement by following policies, developing ideas, and taking part in activities organized by the Center for Student Involvement, such as Involvement Fairs, trainings, and workshops.
- Develops events and activities for the UW Tacoma community to enjoy and that provide insight into the organization’s mission, values, and purpose.
- Conducts community service projects or outreach opportunities into the communities surrounding UW Tacoma
- Utilizes campus resources that enhance programming activities, such as applying for funding from Campus Event Fund, Conference & Training Fund, or RSO Operations Fund, and co-sponsoring opportunities with campus departments, other RSOs, and community partners
- Demonstrates a strong promotional presence by advertising through many campus avenues, including Husky 411, fliers, social media posting, and other creative advertising methods– you’ve heard about them before and know they’ve been active this year
RSO Adviser of the Year
The RSO Adviser of the Year award goes above and beyond in demonstrating commitment by volunteering time to the students in the organization, promotes the vision of the group they advise, and empowers student leadership. They go beyond attending meetings or answering email; they are actively engaged in the success of the RSO they advise.
An EXCELLENT Candidate for this award:
- Promotes the passion of their Registered Student organization by volunteering their time to advise and empower student leaders towards creating experiences on campus
- Works alongside the Registered Student Organization to provide insight on the mission, values, and goals of the organization
- Actively campaigns and promotes the activities and achievements of their organization within and beyond the campus community
- Meets with officers of the organization to help with programming efforts, brainstorming, and any conflicts the students might be experiencing
- Demonstrates reliability, flexibility, and leadership
OSCARs Awards: Students' Choice
Outstanding Student Leader
The Student Choice: Outstanding Student Leader award recognizes a student in a defined campus leadership role who consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership skills, supports the success of fellow students, and positively impacts the UW Tacoma community throughout the year. This could include student employees, RSO leaders, elected or appointed officials, etc.
An EXCELLENT Candidate for this award:
- Secured and maintained at least one defined campus leadership role within the UW Tacoma community, including student employees, RSO leaders, elected or appointed officials, etc.
- Practices leadership abilities and skills on an on-going basis and supports the development of fellow students around them
- Positively improves aspects of the UW Tacoma campus
- Promotes commitment to leadership roles and involvement opportunities to fellow students and encourages their participation in events, activities, initiatives, and campus resources
- Works to fulfill organization and personal goals
- Perceived as confident, supportive, and reliable by UW Tacoma administrators, faculty, and staff
Outstanding Staff Member
The Student Choice: Outstanding Student Leader award goes to a staff member who goes above and beyond their necessary responsibilities, excels in providing valuable services to the UW Tacoma community, enhances students' experience, and contributes to the overall success of students.
An EXCELLENT Candidate for this award:
- Provides on-going and dedicated support to the UW Tacoma community, concentrating their efforts on improving the student experience and delivering satisfactory programs and initiatives
- Connects with students to assist in their whole development, focusing their efforts on serving student needs with their resource or service, while also helping students to grow in many areas
- Perceived as a mentor and advisor to student actions and decision-making on campus
- Cares for and uplifts students when possible through various ways
- Takes interest in student activity outside of their workplace responsibility by attending events, supporting student promotional activities, and collaborating with student organizations
- Advocates for the enhancement of student-centric services
Outstanding Faculty Member
The Student Choice: Outstanding Faculty award goes to a faculty member who you would describe as excellent. They’re always there for students, helping to expand world views, making the classroom an exciting place to be. They may have contributed to campus in other ways, advising student organizations or volunteering for extracurricular programs. At the end of the day, you could not imagine UW Tacoma without them.
An EXCELLENT Candidate for this award:
- Provides on-going and dedicated support to the UW Tacoma community, concentrating their efforts in the classroom and within their academic area
- Engages students in the classroom in creative and innovative ways
- Perceived as a mentor for student pursuits on campus and within their career paths
- Takes interest in student activity outside of their workplace responsibility by attending events, supporting student promotional activities, and collaborating with student organizations
Campus Impact
The Students’ Choice: Campus Impact Award recognizes an event, service, initiative, or department that has had an impact on students within the UW Tacoma Campus. This does not necessarily recognize a particular organization. It may go to an ongoing service, such as advising or financial assistance, an information resource, or a one-time event. The award acknowledges anything that has left a mark on the community.
An EXCELLENT Candidate for this award:
- Provided the UW Tacoma with significance information, engagement, or entertainment
- Centered on a campus concern, activity, issue, or experience
- Involved students in the process of their development or their success
- Motivated students to connect more to the UW Tacoma campus and/or the greater Tacoma or Washington community
- Delivered inspiration, insight, encouragement, or curiosity
OSCARs Award: Departmental Awards
Awarded by: The President of the Associated Students of University of Washington Tacoma (ASUWT)
Awarded by: The President of the Associated Students of University of Washington Tacoma (ASUWT)
Awarded by: The Center for Equity & Inclusion
Awarded by: The Office of First Generation Initiatives
Awarded by: The Office of Global Affairs
Awarded by: The Office of International Student Services
The International Student Leadership Award is given to students who have shown outstanding leadership and have been meaningfully involved in creating community for international students at UW Tacoma. Recipients of this award proactively take initiative to create more opportunities for international students to meet one another and build community at events such as UWTea Time, International Student Trips, as well as other programs offered by the Office of Global Affairs, such as Language Lessons. The International Student Leadership award is given to students who have great ideas and passion for helping their international peers.
Awarded by: The Office of Information Technology
The IT Pride at Work Award is presented to an IT Student employee who leaves a positive, inspiring, and lasting imprint on Information Technology.
Awarded by: The Ledger Student Newspaper Editorial Team
Awarded by: Veteran & Military Resource Center
At the Veteran & Military Resource Center (VMRC), the Military Connected Student of the Year Award is awarded through a careful and thoughtful process, celebrating exceptional community contributions.
For the student-picked award, their peers consider academic excellence, involvement in veteran-related activities, and overall community impact. Key factors include engagement in VMRC mission-related activities like outreach programs and community service.
For the staff-picked award, criteria focus on professional excellence, mentorship, and positive influence. We value leadership, initiative, and support for students.
Past winners exemplify VMRC's values through their impactful leadership and dedication, setting a high standard for contributing to our campus community.
Awarded by: Husky Volunteers
Awarded by: The Office of New Student and Family Programs and Pack Advisors
Awarded by: The Office of Housing and Residence Life
The Resident of the Year Award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to their residential community. This recipient consistently contributes positively, actively engages in and supports hall programs, and goes above and beyond in fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment. Their dedication and leadership significantly enhance the living experience for all residents. The Resident of the Year is selected by the Residence Life and Housing Professional Staff and Resident Advisor Team.
Awarded by: The Office of Housing and Residence Life
The Resident Advisor of the Year Award recognizes an RA who exemplifies outstanding dedication and leadership within their residence hall. This individual excels in creating a supportive and engaging community, actively facilitating programs, and providing exceptional support to residents. Their commitment to fostering a positive living environment and their proactive approach to resident needs set them apart as an exceptional leader. The Resident Advisor of the Year is selected by the Residence Life and Housing Professional Staff team.
Awarded by: The Student Activities Board
Awarded by: The Husky Sustainability Fund
Awarded by: The Husky Sustainability Fund
Awarded by: Tahoma West Literary Journal Editorial Team
Awarded by: The University Y Student Center Executive Director & Team
The University YMCA Student Center Engagement Award recognizes students who live the YMCA’s values of honesty, caring, responsibility, and respect throughout their everyday interactions. These individuals go above and beyond to welcome others in and create a sense of belonging and community.
