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Vase with sunflowers on a table next to a brochure standing upright that reads' 'President's Student Leadership and Service Award Reception'

Nomination Information

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the PSLSA, an individual must:

  1. Be an undergraduate, graduate, or professional student enrolled at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities for at least one semester between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024.
  2. Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA as of Spring 2025
  3. Be nominated by a University student, staff, or faculty member (you cannot self-nominate) by Wednesday, February 5 at 11:59 p.m.
  4. Submit a student addendum by Wednesday, February 19 at 11:59 p.m.

Nominations Instructions

Students must be nominated by University of Minnesota students, staff, or faculty before 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The nomination process for 2025 opens 1/21. 

Nominees will be sent a student addendum form with instructions by Thursday, February 6. Nominees are provided instructions on how to complete the addendum. The addendum form is due before 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

The PSLSA nomination asks for identifying information on the nominator and the nominee, and for one 250-word essay that addresses the following:

The nomination should provide clear examples of ways that the student demonstrated leadership and service to the University of Minnesota and its communities. Activities mentioned must take place between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024.

The nomination essay should provide observations of the student  demonstrating leadership and/or service to the University community. Including impact of the student's leadership, service and/or contributions to the University community, and how the student went above and beyond expectations of their role(s).

Student Addendum Instructions

After a nomination essay is submitted, the nominee is notified to complete the student addendum form. Nominees are provided instructions on how to complete the student addendum. Student addendum forms are due by 11:59 p.m. on February 19, 2025.

The student addendum has three parts:

  • Part 1 is information about the nominees' academic standing at the University of Minnesota, such as college of enrollment, cumulative GPA, and expected graduation.
  • Part 2 is information about leadership and service experiences nominees had between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. Students will be asked to identify which Student Development Outcome (SDO) aligns most with their experience.
  • Part 3 is an essay where students will showcase their growth as a leader and the impact of their leadership or service-oriented experience had on the University’s community and/or the state of Minnesota.

Throughout the addendum, nominees are asked to frame their responses in the context of certain definitions of Student Development Outcomes, Leadership and Service.

Student Development Outcomes

The Student Development Outcomes were created to describe the critical elements of the student experience and to assist students in becoming lifelong learners and engaged citizens after they leave the University

Selection Criteria

To be awarded the PSLSA, student nominees must: 

  1. Have been enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program for at least one semester between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024;
  2. Obtain at least 2.5 cumulative GPA (or “Passed” for some programs) as of Spring 2025;
  3. Describe at least one (1) and no more than four (4) leadership and service experiences between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. Your leadership and service experience(s) must have taken place within the University community or the state of Minnesota, which includes communities on and around campus that impact the students, staff, faculty, friends, and neighbors of the University.
  4. Provide demonstrated outstanding service to individuals, groups, or communities  by going above and beyond expectations will be considered for this award.

  5. Exhibit growth as a leader and impact of their leadership or service-oriented experience had on the University community or the state of Minnesota.

A selection committee of University students, staff, and faculty determines if a nominee satisfies the selection criteria. The committee engages in holistic discussions about each nomination to select award recipients based on how the nominee satisfies the selection criteria.

The selection committee makes their decision in early-April. Nominees will be notified about their award status following the selection committee's decision.