Student Organization Achievement & Recognition (SOAR) Awards
(click here to view award winners from 2020)
All events, organizations, and individuals must have taken place or have been active between March 2020 - March 2021.
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Initiative Awards (6)
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.
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 either in-person or virtual, that has had a significant impact on the greater Miami community.
Intercultural Awareness Initiative
The Intercultural Awareness Initiative honors an organization that excels in coordinating an initiative, event, or a series of events either in-person or virtual, promoting or providing opportunities for cultural expression on campus and the greater Miami community.
Multifaith and Spirituality Initiative
The Multifaith Initiative award honors an organization that excels in coordinating an initiative, event, or a series of events either in-person or virtual, that promotes awareness and respect of spiritual and/or religious practices, philosophies, and beliefs.
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 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
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 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.
Individual Awards (6)
First Year Leadership Award
- 2021 Winner: Paige-Tatum Hawthorne, COSO
Advisor of the Year
The award for Advisor of the Year is presented to a student organization advisor that has gone above and beyond in their support and encouragement of their student organization and its members. Advisors are crucial to their organizations’ success and deserve recognition for their dedication.
- 2021 Winner: Kelly Hui, SAFAC Co-Advisor
The David Lin Unsung Hero Award
For three years, COSO was honored to have David Lin as a member of the COSO family. His hard work, infectious positivity and influence from behind the scenes significantly impacted COSO in a way that is impossible to forget. In his honor COSO renamed the “Unsung Hero” after his quiet yet substantial commitment to the work that we do. 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.
- 2021 Winner: Saloni Radadia on COISO, Hurricane Bhangra, and UM Alternative Breaks
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.
- 2021 Winner: Bao Duong on Asian American Students Association and UM Alternative Breaks
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.
- 2021 Winner: Alexander Veraart on Delta Kappa Alpha
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.
- 2021 Winner: Michel Pinard on COISO, SAFAC, Miami International Outreach, Gamma Theta Upsilon, International Geographical Honor Society, and PorColombia
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.
- 2021 Winner: Landon Coles on Student Government, United Black Students, and Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
Organizational Awards (6)
New Event or Initiative Award
The New Event or Initiative Award is 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
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.
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 in-person or virtual events and bring their spirit and love of the University wherever they go.
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.
Techy Award
The “Techy” Award is a special recognition for an organization that excels in demonstrating a mastery of utilizing social media, Zoom, and other online platforms to engage students throughout this past year, excelling in communicating with the student body despite social distancing measures.
