Student Organization Achievement & Recognition (SOAR) Awards
All events, organizations, and individuals must have taken place or have been active between March 2019- March 1, 2020.
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Initiative Awards (7)
Academic Programming Initiative
The Academic Programming Initiative Award honors an organization that excels in coordinating an initiative, event, or a series of events promoting a strong academic or professional culture.
2020 Winner – Biomedical Engineering Society
Community Outreach & Social Change Initiative
The Community Outreach & Social Change Initiative Award 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?
2020 Winner – Student Government: What Matters to U
Health and Wellness Initiative
Health and Wellness Initiative Award 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.
Intercultural Awareness Initiative
The 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.
2020 Winner – Federacion de Estudiantes Cubanos
Multifaith and Spirituality Initiative
The Multifaith and 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.
2020 Winner – Miami Multifaith Council
Collaborative Program of the Year
The Collaborative Program of the Year Award is given in recognition of a program that demonstrates synergy and success as a result of working together. This award celebrates student organizations that have made collaboration a top priority. The recipients have demonstrated they can break down barriers between diverse populations and cultivate effective intergroup communication. By collaborating, these organizations have enhanced the UM experience and made a significant contribution to the community.
2020 Winner – Banned Books Event: Sigma Tau Delta, United Black Students, Eta Sigma Phi, SpectrUM, Sigma Iota Rho, UBook
Program of the Year
The Program of the Year Award is 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 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.
2020 Winner – VSO Veterans Week
Organizational Awards (6)
New Event or Initiative Award
The New Event or Initiative Award is given in recognition of a program or initiative 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.
2020 Winner – American Society of Pre-Dental Students
Creativity and Innovation Award
The Creativity and Innovation Award is 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.
2020 Winner – Homecoming Executive Committee: Hurricane Howl
Spirit Award
The 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 on-campus events and bring their spirit and love of the University wherever they go.
2020 Winner – Category5
New Organization of the Year (sponsored by SAFAC)
The New Organization of the Year 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 2019 and March 1st 2020. This award is sponsored by the Student Activity Fee Allocation Committee (SAFAC) who will grant the winner $500 to continue XXXXX
2020 Winner – Lucha Latina
Organization of the Year
The Organization of the Year Award is 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.
2020 Winner – Veteran Students Organization
Engage Super-User
The Engage Super-User Award is presented to an organization that actively and successfully utilized the new, student involvement platform, Engage. This organization championed the use and implementation of Engage features in order to improve organization operations and promotions.
2020 Winner – Federacion de Estudiantes Cubanos
Individual Awards (6)
Advisor of the Year
The 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.
2020 Winner – Vanessa Cornwall
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. The David Lin Unsung Hero 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.
2020 Winner – Tia Black
First Year Leadership Award
The 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.
2020 Winner – Daniela Jang
Social Justice Advocate of the Year
The Social Justice Advocate of the Year Award honors a student who has advocated for equity and inclusivity while positively impacting the UM campus and surrounding community.
2020 Winner – Landon Coles
President of the Year Award
The 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.
2020 Winner – Emilie Villaverde
Senior Legacy Award
The 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.
2020 Winner – Sharnikha Saravanan
Student Leader of the Year Award
The 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.
2020 Winner – Michel Pinard
