undergraduate student leader awards
The Undergraduate Student Leadership Awards celebrate the dedication, passion, and impact of UMaine students who go above and beyond to strengthen our campus community. These awards recognize individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, service, and commitment to fostering a unique, connected, and engaged student experience. Through their hard work and dedication, these students play a vital role in building a supportive and dynamic UMaine environment, leaving a lasting legacy for their peers and future generations.
Generously sponsored by the University Credit Union
Awards Hosted by the Center for Student Involvement
The Change Maker Award is given to an undergraduate student who embodies being a change maker within our campus community (making great strides to creatively improve campus). Named in honor of Robert Q. Dana, UMaine’s Dean of Students, who champions change that is courageous, committed, and community focused.
Past Winners:
2025: Keegan Tripp
2024: Julian Ober
2023: Jacob Chaplin
2022: Dominique DiSpirito
2021: Miranda Snyder
2020: Taylor Cray
The Priyanth Chandrasekar Outstanding Student Leader of the Year Award honors an undergraduate student (typically a junior or senior) who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and impact outside the classroom. Named after Priyanth Chandrasekar, a 2007 University of Maine graduate known for his passionate leadership in student organizations, this award celebrates students who inspire others, drive meaningful change, and contribute to the university community.
The recipient of this award exemplifies leadership, initiative, and a commitment to adding value & making a positive impact through extracurricular involvement, community service, and campus initiatives, creating a lasting legacy of influence and engagement.
This award is supported by the Chandrasekar Do Fund.
Past Winners:
2025: Thomas Gao
2024: Michael Delorge
2023: Christine Kusnirak
2022: Mikayla Reynolds
2021: Chase Flaherty
2020: Lauren Ryan
The Anh Do Emerging Student Leader of the Year Award recognizes an undergraduate student (typically a first-year, sophomore, or transfer student) who has demonstrated significant potential for growth and leadership outside the classroom. Named after Anh Do, a 2008 University of Maine graduate and inspiring student leader, this award celebrates students who show tremendous promise in their involvement and contributions to the university community.
The recipient of this award shows significant potential for future leadership and exhibits a strong commitment to personal and leadership development, engages in extracurricular activities, and demonstrates the ability to inspire & positively impact their peers.
This award is supported by the Chandrasekar Do Fund.
Past Winners
2025: Cynthia Shelmerdine
2024: Josh Gondelman
2023: Jasper Makowski
2022: Haley Mentz
2021: Nehemia Calixte
2020: PJ Sccocchi
The Event of the Year award is given to a recognized student organization that has shown extraordinary achievements in a program/event during the last academic year. The program must have been open to the entire campus community and have been held on campus.
Past Winners
2025: SHAC Friends and Family Feast
2024: Western Winter Carnival
2023: Wilde Stein’s Drag Show
2022: Halloweekend, Union Takeover
2021: It’s Personal Campaign
2020: Coronamencement
The Outstanding Collaboration Award is awarded to any student, faculty, staff member, recognized student organization, university department, or community business/organization for significant contributions to the University of Maine and Division of Student Life. This nominee must have specific experience with collaboration and working with others in their endeavors.
Past Winners
2025: Honors Trivia Night – Residence Life, Honors College, and Honors College SAB
2024: UMSG/WMEB/CCA: Sammy Rae
2023: UMaine FemC and Title IX Student Services
2022: Alpha Sigma Phi and Delta Phi Epsilon “Trunk or Treat”
2021: It’s Personal Campaign
2020: Lisa Morin
Awarded to a student organization, officially affiliated with the Division of Student Life, for its success and support of student development, leadership, involvement and showing the strength of the University of Maine community. This organization has distinguished itself from other organizations by the way they demonstrate exceptional leadership from officers and members, executing programs and activities that positively impact student success.
Past Winners
2025: UMaine Birding Club
2024: Partners for World Health
2023: Society of Women Engineers
2022: Improv Insanity
2021: Alternative Breaks
2020: All Maine Women
Awards Hosted by Fraternity and Sorority Life
The fraternity man of the year award is named after Dean William T. Lucy (Phi Kappa Tau), Dean Emeritus of Student Activities who was the Greek Life advisor for over 20 years. The criterion for this award is excellence in chapter involvement, campus involvement, and scholastics.
Past Winners
2025: Christopher James, Alpha Delta
2024: Justin McCauley, Theta Chi
2023: Gabe Labonte, Sigma Phi Epsilon
2022: Will Salsbury, Sigma Phi Epsilon
2021:
2020: Andrew Arsenault, Sigma Phi Epsilon
2019: Greg Warmuth, Sigma Phi Epsilon
The sorority woman of the year is awarded to a sorority sister who excels in her efforts to improve Greek life on campus, improve life here at the University of Maine and in the surrounding community, and strives to achieve academically. The sorority woman of the year award is based on excellence in the areas of chapter involvement, campus involvement, and scholastics.
Past Winners
2025: Emelia Trembley, Delta Phi Epsilon
2024: Kaitlyn Sterner, Delta Phi Epsilon
2023: McKayla Leary, Phi Mu
2022: Kaylee Knowles, Alpha Omicron Pi
2021:
2020: Claudia Johnson, Phi Mu
2019: Phoebe Welcome, Alpha Phi and
Liza White, Phi Mu
The fraternity of the year award is named after Michael G. Dionne, a Phi Eta Kappa Fraternity brother. The award recognizes an undergraduate fraternity at the University of Maine, judged to have the highest all around qualities of sportsmanship, fraternity spirit and character, member and chapter involvement with the campus and the community, scholastic and athletic achievement, and internal chapter development.
Past Winners
2025: Sigma Phi Epsilon
2024: Tau Kappa Epsilon
2023: Theta Chi
2022: Sigma Phi Epsilon
2021: Sigma Phi Epsilon
2020: Sigma Phi Epsilon
2019: Sigma Phi Epsilon
In the year 2000, this award was named to honor Natalie Bayliss, a Delta Delta Delta sister. This award recognizes an undergraduate sorority at the University of Maine, judged to excel in their efforts to improve the campus and the surrounding community, sets an example on campus for scholastic and athletic achievement, and internal chapter development.
Past Winners
2025: Delta Phi Epsilon
2024: Chi Omega
2023: Alpha Omicron Pi
2022: Alpha Phi
2021: Pi Beta Phi
2020: Alpha Omicron Pi
2019: Alpha Omicron Pi
The Ryan Quinn Fraternity Traditionalism and Engagement Award recognizes a chapter’s commitment to preserving and promoting the time-honored traditions of fraternity life, while fostering meaningful connections within both the alumni and the broader Greek and campus communities.
This award honors chapters that demonstrate outstanding dedication to organizing programs, events, and initiatives that strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and contribute to a vibrant, inclusive campus environment. This includes cultivating lasting relationships with alumni, promoting collaboration across the Greek system, and engaging in campus-wide activities that reflect the values of tradition, leadership, and community service.
The recipient chapter exemplifies the highest standards of fraternity life, balancing respect for tradition with active engagement in fostering unity and involvement throughout the campus and beyond.
Past Winners
2025: Phi Gamma Delta
2024: Phi Gamma Delta
2023: Delta Tau Delta
2022: Alpha Gamma Rho
2021: Beta Theta Pi
2020:
2019: Sigma Phi Epsilon
This award is designed to recognize the continued excellence of a chapter by following the traditions started by their founders and alumnae whose traditions have contributed to a positive college experience. The criterion for this award is outstanding achievement in upholding the chapter’s traditions and rituals, and alumni programming.
Past Winners
2025: Alpha Phi
2024: Alpha Omicron Pi
2023: Alpha Phi
2022: Alpha Omicron Pi
2021: Alpha Phi
2020:
2019: Delta Zeta
The Russell Crouse Award is named after a Phi Kappa Sigma brother who tirelessly worked for the community in and outside of his chapter. His life was cut short in June of 1995 in a tragic car accident and the chapter continues to sadly miss their dearly departed brother. In recognition and in honor of his life, the Interfraternity Council names the best display of community service in his memory. The winner of this award will exemplify commitment to the university, the community, and the entire surrounding area by volunteering countless hours of time and money to a variety of causes.
Past Winners
2025: Sigma Phi Epsilon
2024: Phi Eta Kappa
2023: Alpha Delta
2022: Alpha Delta
2021: Sigma Phi Epsilon
2020:
2019: Sigma Phi Epsilon
Aimee was an active and outgoing member of her community, having graduated alongside her Houlton High School classmates in 2000. As a 1997 Wish Child of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, she participated in fundraising events with her Chi Omega sisters to support the foundation’s mission. She was delighted to learn of Chi Omega’s national alliance with Make-A-Wish and shared her personal experiences, inspiring the chapter through her story.
Past Winners
2025: Alpha Phi
2024: Alpha Omicron Pi
2023: Alpha Omicron Pi
2022: Alpha Phi
2021: Alpha Phi
2020: Alpha Omicron Pi
2019: Alpha Omicron Pi
The fraternity president of the year award is named for Andrew McMillan, president of Beta Theta Pi, who passed away July 1, 2003. Andrew was a role model for others looking to live up to their chapter’s Greek ideals. Andrew was always there to provide leadership and support for the members of the Beta Eta chapter both as individuals and as part of the Beta Theta Pi brotherhood.
Past Winners
2025: Kit Rafford, Phi Gamma Delta
2024: Joshua Pearse, Beta Theta Pi
2023: Noah Boucher, Theta Chi
2022: Chase Flaherty, Alpha Tau Omega
2021: Jon Eramian, Sigma Phi Epsilon
2020: Charles Zachau, Alpha Tau Omega
This award honors sorority presidents who excel in providing leadership and guidance to their chapters. The basis for this award is excellence in leadership, community service, scholastics, and exemplary character.
Past Winners
2025: Kayla Cole, Delta Phi Epsilon
2024: Mackenzie Mead, Delta Phi Epsilon
2023: Andrea Morin, Alpha Phi
2022: Cassidy Boynton, Chi Omega
2021:
2020: Grace Kelley, Alpha Omicron Pi
2019: Molly MacGregor, Chi Omega
This award is named in honor of Todd “Muddy” Sherman, a Sigma Alpha Epsilon brother. The award is named in his honor because of his diligent efforts to improve his own chapter. Each year this award is given to the fraternity here at the University of Maine that has shown the most improvement from the previous academic year.
Past Winners
2025: Phi Eta Kappa
2024: Alpha Sigma Phi
2023: Phi Eta Kappa
2022: Theta Chi
2021: Theta Chi
2020:
2019: Beta Theta Pi
This award recognizes the sorority that has had to confront challenges and has risen to overcome obstacles in the areas of recruitment, academics, programming, and campus involvement.
Past Winners
2025: Delta Zeta
2024: Delta Delta Delta
2023: Delta Delta Delta
2022: Delta Delta Delta
2021: Delta Zeta
2020:
2019: Kappa Delta Phi, NAS
The Andrew David Gerke Award is presented in memory of Andrew David Gerke, a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon, who passed away on April 14, 2009. Andrew was a true role model and mentor to many, and truly exemplified what it means to be a “brother.” Andrew’s presence had a way of unifying his brothers and his involvement on campus was an example to many. During his time at the University of Maine Andrew worked hard to make sure the Greek System grew strong, but his true mission was making sure the Greek Community was a unified force.
Past Winners
2025: Peter Coleman, Phi Eta Kappa, and Mai Lau, Alpha Omicron Pi
2024: Meghan McDonald, Alpha Phi and
Nathan Newgard, Sigma Phi Epsilon
2023: Hunter Bell and Haley Clemons, Phi Mu
2022: Chrissy Skidgel, Alpha Omicron Pi
2021: Blaize Vail, Delta Tau Delta
2020: Andrew Arsenault, Sigma Phi Epsilon
2019: Cole Lemelin, Sigma Phi Epsilon
Awards Hosted by the Office of Community and Connections
The Community and Connections Student Engagement Award honors a student or group who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to enhancing diversity and promoting inclusivity through active engagement and leadership within the campus community.
The Community and Connections Award celebrates an individual or group who has made significant contributions to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the UMaine community through impactful initiatives, advocacy, and leadership.
The Sharon Barker Student Activism Award honors UMaine students seeking to implement positive change in their communities by fostering equity and social justice.
Awards Hosted by The VETS Center
Awards Hosted by The Bodwell Center for Service and Volunteerism
Awards Hosted by Title IX Student Services
The Peer Advocacy Award is presented to a student who selflessly volunteers their time to serve as a resource to their peers on the University of Maine campus. This individual will be recognized for their advocacy, their commitment to supporting students and their passion for assisting Title IX Student Services in their mission of encouraging healthy relationships and promoting a safe community for everyone.
Awards Hosted by Student Wellness
This award highlights student who has focused a great amount of time and energy into focusing on the well-being of their peers. Their accomplishments, as well as their drive, is indicative of their character and respect for others.
Awards Hosted by Residence Life
An RA that has excelled in their position and contributes to the mission and vision of Residence Life.
A first year RA who has excelled in their position.
Someone who shows an outstanding commitment to community service. This could be through the department or their own personal lives.
This award recognizes someone who does things that contribute to the overall mission and vision of Residence Life that does not normally get recognized.
Awards Hosted by the Career Center
This award goes to an individual who has been an outstanding volunteer at Career Center events.
Awards Hosted by University of Maine Student Government, Inc.
The Senator of the Year Award is presented annually to a member of the General Student Senate who has demonstrated outstanding dedication, leadership, and service to the University of Maine Student Government. This award recognizes a senator who has gone above and beyond in their role, contributing meaningful initiatives, engaging in thoughtful debate, and actively working to improve the student experience at UMaine. Selected by the UMSG Executive Team, this senator embodies the values of student advocacy, collaboration, and initiative, setting a high standard for their peers in service to their fellow Black Bears. Through their commitment, they have strengthened our student government and left a lasting impact on campus.
The Emerging Leader Award is given to a first-year or new senator who has shown exceptional promise, enthusiasm, and commitment to Student Government. This award recognizes an individual who, in their short tenure, has demonstrated leadership potential, eagerness to engage with the Senate process, and a strong dedication to the mission of UMSG. Chosen by the Executive Team, the recipient of this award has already made a significant impact on their fellow Black Bears, stepping up to serve their peers and shape the future of our campus. Their passion for leadership and student advocacy signals a bright path ahead in making UMaine a better place for all.