All events, organizations, and individuals must have taken place or have been active between March 2022 - March 1, 2023. View award winners from previous years at the links listed below.
Submit a Nomination
Programming and Initiative Awards
Excellence in Programming & Initiative - Academic, Honorary, & Professional
Honors an organization that excels in coordinating an initiative, event, or a series of events promoting a strong academic or professional culture.
Excellence in Programming & Initiative - Club Sports
Honors an organization that excels in coordinating an event or series of events promoting successful recruitment and retention of members, sportsmanship, and consistent flexibility, initiative, creativity, and perseverance.
Excellence in Programming & Initiative - Communities
Honors an organization that excels in coordinating an event or a series of events promoting unique and creative interests and passions.
Excellence in Programming & Initiative - Community Outreach & Social Change
Honors an organization that excels in coordinating an event or a series of events that has had a significant impact on the greater Miami community. What has this organization done to educate, inspire, or spread awareness regarding a particular cause, topic, or subject matter?
Excellence in Programming & Initiative - Greek Life (Councils)
Honors a council that excels in coordinating an event or a series of values-based events promoting Greek involvement, education, or philanthropy.
Excellence in Programming & Initiative - Health and Wellness
Honors an organization that excels in coordinating an initiative, event, or a series of events promoting mental, physical, spiritual, or other forms of health and wellness.
Excellence in Programming & Initiative - Media & Publications
Honors an organization that excels in coordinating an event or a series of programs or publications aimed at enriching the UM community.
Excellence in Programming & Initiative - Intercultural Awareness Initiative
Honors an organization that excels in coordinating an initiative, event, or a series of events promoting or providing opportunities for cultural expression on campus and the greater Miami community.
Excellence in Programming & Initiative - Performing Arts
Honors an organization that excels in coordinating an event or a series of events that promote expression through the arts including but not limited to theatrical, visual, and vocal.
Excellence in Programming & Initiative - Programming Board
Honors an organization that excels in coordinating programming and entertainment promoting wide campus involvement.
Excellence in Programming & Initiative - Multifaith & Spirituality Initiative
Honors an organization that excels in coordinating an initiative, event, or a series of events that promoted awareness and respect of spiritual and/or religious practices, philosophies, and beliefs.
Collaborative Program of the Year
Given in recognition of a program that demonstrates synergy and success as a result of working together. This award celebrates a student organization that has made collaboration a top priority. By collaborating, this organization has enhanced the UM experience and made a significant contribution to the community.
Program of the Year
Given to an outstanding event for its impact on the UM community during the past year. Nominations should explore how the organization(s) and its members successfully planned and executed a program either in-person or virtual, that directly met the guiding principles of the organization(s), impacted the culture of belonging on campus, and enriched the co-curricular experience of UM students.
Best Week Ever Award
Honors an organization that excels in coordinating an event or a series of events in a given week.
Outstanding Educational Program & Initiative Award
Given to any organization, academic or not, that has put on the most informative and impactful educational program. The topic of education can range across a variety of topics, such as social justice awareness, teaching a skill, or providing a lecture on an academic topic, as long as the focus of the event is to educate.
Individual Awards
First-Year Leadership Award
Honors an emerging first-year student who has uniquely contributed to a student organization, program, or initiative. This leader is someone who has worked hard and has shown the potential to greatly impact the University of Miami campus community in the future.
Advisor of the Year
Honors a full-time faculty or staff member that clearly distinguished themselves by providing exemplary guidance, support, and dedication to the advisement of a student organization. They successfully utilized available resources such as Workday, Engage, and Advisor Workshops.
The David Lin Unsung Hero Award
David Lin was a COSO committee member whose hard work, infectious positivity, and influence from behind the scenes significantly impacted the organization. This award honors a student who has positively influenced a program or organization from behind the scenes with a positive attitude, a willingness to help in whatever capacity necessary, and a commitment to excellence.
President of the Year Award
Recognizes an outstanding individual who has served as the president or chair of a student organization. This student has advanced the mission of their student organization, challenged and supported their members, and has left a lasting impact on their organization and the community as a whole.
Senior Legacy Award
Honors a student in their final year at the University of Miami whose influence, ideals, and activities throughout their college career have left a lasting, positive impression on their student organization and the UM community. This student raises the standard of excellence for future generations.
Student Leader of the Year Award
Goes to the student who has had the greatest impact on the university and the community. Examples of nominees for this award can be active members or executive board members that significantly contribute to an organization or multiple organizations on campus. Recognition of accomplishments is limited to the current academic year.
Organization Awards
New Event or Initiative Award
Given in recognition of a program or initiative either in-person or virtual, that has been created in the last year and has succeeded in its execution and impact on the UM campus and its surrounding community. This award celebrates the organizations that are constantly seeking new ways to engage their members and other students. This award applies to new student organizations that hosted new events for the first time and existing organizations that have developed a new program or initiative.
Creativity and Innovation Award
Given in recognition of organizations that have shown tremendous creativity and originality in “thinking outside the box.” This award celebrates student organizations that have made creativity and innovation a top priority by enhancing an existing program or initiative. This could include programming, membership recruitment, or creative marketing.
Spirit Award
Honors an organization that promotes the ideals of a 'Cane, makes its presence on campus known no matter the size, and displays true love of Alma Mater in creative and innovative ways. Organizations should demonstrate involvement in in-person or virtual events and bring their spirit and love of the University wherever they go.
Ibis Star Organization of the Year Award
Presented to the organization that has had the most significant, positive impact on the University of Miami community. The organization must embody the University of Miami spirit through its commitment to leadership development, collaboration with other groups, and programmatic efforts to enhance the student experience not only of their members but of the student body at large. Organizations that have been recognized by COSO and remained active for more than one academic year will be considered.
New Student Organization Award
Honors a new organization that has made great strides to engage students on the UM campus through the actualization of their guiding principles. The organization must have become recognized through COSO between March 2022 and March 1, 2023.
Excellence in Member Engagement
This award is given to the organization that shows the most enthusiasm and creativity in investing in their general member body and successfully doing so. This organization has gone above and beyond in retaining and engaging its members.
