Apply Today for the Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence - Due Dec 7th!

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 or April 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.

For more information, go to the award site.