The 2021 SPS Student Leader Awards were held virtually on Friday, April 16. This year there were a record number of nominations and an extremely competitive group of finalists. SPS is excited to announce the 2020 - 2021 award recipients. Congrats to all nominees and award recipients!
Heart of a Lion Award
This award is presented to a student who may not hold an official leadership title on campus, but exhibited quality contributions to the SPS community during the 2020-2021 academic year. This student is passionate, radiates school spirit, and embodies the “heart of a lion." Their actions leave a lasting impression not only on their peers but also on the SPS community.
Heart of a Lion Award Winners
Jill Strominger, Nonprofit Management
Sabrina Torres, Sustainability Management
Civic Engagement Award
This award is presented to a student who exhibited quality contributions to the SPS and outside community during the 2020-2021 school year. This student went above and beyond in their community support by donating their time, skills, and energy to a cause they are passionate about. This student prioritized time to serve those in need and left a lasting impression on their peers and the SPS community.
Civic Engagement Award Winners
Muhammad Akram, Enterprise Risk Management
Michael Willis, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Student Scholar-Practitioner Award
This award is presented to a student or group of students who received recognition or shown promise outside of the classroom during the 2020-2021 academic year. These achievements were in the form of projects, competitions, or other recognition, and apply classroom concepts from their specific area(s) of study. This award is intended to support individuals who demonstrated excellence in their academic work or para-professional experiences, and actively engaged beyond the classroom in their field of study.
Student Scholar-Practitioner Award Winner
Zoia Kozakov, Strategic Communication
SPSSG President's Award
The Executive Board of the SPS Student Government gives the President’s Award to a representative they see as making great contributions to the Student Government, SPS community, and their academic program.
SPSSG President's Award Winner
Irina Kulichenkova, Narrative Medicine
SPSSG Spirit Award
The Spirit Award is voted on by the whole of SPS Student Government and awarded to the person(s) who exemplify what it means to have SPSSG Spirit.
SPSSG Spirit Award Winners
Karthic Subramanian, Applied Analytics
Jeff David Gray, Strategic Communication
Academic Leadership Award
This award is presented to the student leader who exhibited quality leadership within their student organization during the 2020-2021 academic year, while concurrently exhibiting academic excellence in the classroom. From this pool of exceptional student leaders, this individual stands out by having the highest cumulative GPA among the nominees.
Academic Leadership Award Winner
Harsh Dhanuka, Applied Analytics
Student Program Innovation Award
This award is presented to a student organization for its positive impact on the student life experience through an innovative program, initiative, or publication during the 2020-2021 academic year. This can include an event, program, mentorship initiative, media, platform, or another type of programming. The creation demonstrated effective planning and development, along with academic, social, and professional student engagement.
Program Innovation Award Winner
Women Sports Collective Alumni Mentoring Program and Empowerment Series
Current Co-Presidents
Katherine Anderson, Sports Management
Mary Elizabeth Ward, Sports Management
Incoming Co-Presidents
Emma Bedeker, Sports Management
Morgan Cahill, Sports Management
Incoming Events Chair
Jamie DePaul, Sports Management
Student Leadership Award
This award is presented to the student leader who exhibited quality leadership within their student organization during the 2020-2021 academic year. This person went above and beyond the expectations of a student leader and exuded an exceptional amount of effort in their contributions to the student life experience and SPS community.
Student Leader Award Winner
Greg Hopper, Sustainability Science
Student Organization of the Year
This award is presented to the student organization with the strongest measurable impact on the student experience within the SPS community during the 2020-2021 academic year. This student club created numerous events or programs that innovatively enhanced the SPS student experience, and strived towards furthering a sense of community at Columbia SPS.
Student Organization of the Year
Women & Sustainability
