Nominations Sought for the Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence

From Student Affairs & Services:

Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence

About the Award

Established in 2002, the Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence is a prestigious honor awarded by the University President to exceptional graduating students who best exemplify scholarship, leadership, character, service and the ideals of the University of Cincinnati. 


Selection Criteria

To be considered for this year's honor, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Graduation.   Eligibility for graduation from a baccalaureate degree program in August of the previous academic year, or December, March or June of the current academic year.
2. Academic Learning & Discovery.  The nominee has a cumulative University grade point average of 3.2 or better.  S/he also exhibits evidence of high academic excellence (e.g., participation in research and/or the creative arts) and achievement. 
   Examples of high academic achievement may include acceptance to prestigious graduate programs, presentations at professional association annual meetings, featured publications in publications that have a regional and/or inter/national circulation, or applications to inter/nationally competitive fellowships and scholarships such as the Goldwater.
3. Significant Leadership Contribution.  The nominee illustrates innovation, initiative, independence, a positive peer impact, and contributions to a group for sustainability and growth within their organizational involvement.
   Examples include significant leadership in UC co-curricular activities (e.g., advocacy, governance, honorary, service, social or athletic organizations) and is recognized for their organizational contributions at the regional, state, and/or inter/national organizational level.
4. Community Participation.   The nominee currently participates and gives back to the University and the community.
   Examples include significant participation in community activities, contribution to the community through the creation and/or enhancement of an organization/agency, or application to Teach For America, Americorps, the Truman Scholarship program, etc.
5. Diversity and Global Engagement.  The nominee demonstrates support for diversity and global engagement. 
   Examples could include an application to the Peace Corps, the Foreign Service, the Kiva Fellows Program, a Gilman International Scholarship, or the Fulbright Fellowship Program.
6. Potential for future success and achievement.   The nominee’s current success is externally validated through local, state, regional, and/or inter/national recognition. 
   This also includes application to the Rhodes, Marshall, Gates-Cambridge, and/or Mitchell Scholarships.

The Application Packet

Click here to download a copy of the 2012 application. A complete nominee application packet includes the following:

1. Applicant’s basic information page (available in the application packet)
2. A current resume
3. An essay of no more than four typed, double-spaced pages, explaining, in terms of the criteria, why you think you should be named a recipient of this award and reflecting on your involvement illustrating innovation, initiative, independence, a positive peer impact, and contributions to a group for sustainability and growth
4. A completed nomination form and corresponding letter of recommendation from a faculty, staff or administrative member of the University of Cincinnati
5. An additional nomination form and corresponding letter of recommendation from a faculty, staff or administrative member of the University of Cincinnati.  (If the first nomination is by a faculty member, the second letter should be from a member of the UC staff or administration and vice-versa.)

Additional letters of support are permitted but do not guarantee an applicant’s advancement for consideration.  Special binding is not necessary.  Applications will not be returned.

Applicants must submit a completed application by
12:00 PM on Friday, February 10, 2012
to
Student Affairs and Services
600 University Pavilion
or by e-mail to Mitchel.Livingston@uc.edu

All applicants must also be available for an interview with the selection committee in late March or early April 2012.  However, interviews will only be granted to award finalists.

Clarifying questions or concerns about the application process may be directed to Jessica King at Jessica.King@uc.edu or 513-556-6274.